3 Essential Places to Stage for a Sale

As you begin to prepare your home for sale, staging every square inch of your home can seem like a challenge, especially if you’re concerned about your budget and time. By focusing first on the most important areas to stage for a home sale you can impress buyers and maximize your budget while keeping your expenses down.

Kick Your Curb Appeal Up a Notch

When it comes to staging you should always start at the curb. Your front yard is the first thing buyers will see as they drive by and your home’s curb appeal will be a major deciding factor in that buyer slowing down and taking a closer look. Creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere on the walk up to your front door will make buyers feel comfortable and more eager to see the inside of the home. Here are some tips to grab a buyer’s attention from the start:

1. Manicure your landscaping. Mow the lawn, trim bushes & trees, and lay down mulch.
2. Remove dead debris to make way for seasonal flowers and plants.
3. Power wash the exterior of your home and walkways.
4. Spruce up your front door with paint and potted topiaries.
5. Add a welcome mat and a seasonal wreath on the door.

Lighten Up The Living Room

Upon entering the home, one of the most important rooms to stage is the living room. This is a main living area, where all family members will gather, as well as a place that will entertain guests. It’s no wonder this room ranks number one as the most important room to stage among buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors 2015 Profile of Home Staging. So, how do you make this room stand out? Try these tips to make buyers feel at home:

1. Consider painting this room a warm neutral color, like Benjamin Moore’s Silver Fox (2108-50) or Shaker Beige (HC-45).
2. Rearrange furniture to avoid closing off the space or blocking traffic flow.
3. Declutter built-ins and shelves.
4. Keep artwork to a minimum, try a large piece over the couch.
5. Avoid having toy clutter, by using creative storage solutions.

Showcase Your Killer Kitchen

The third place to target in your home when staging is not only the heart of the home, but the second most important space to stage among buyers. The kitchen is another common area where everyone gathers and is used frequently throughout the day. Buyers want to know their new kitchen will be able to sustain the demands of daily life. Use these tips to showcase your kitchen:

1. Do your best to make sure your kitchen is up-to-date with today’s trends. Opt for neutral colors, granite or quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances.
2. Keep a maximum of three appliances on your countertops and remove clutter build up.
3. Organize your pantry, cabinets and drawers to show how efficient and spacious this area is.
4. Highlight an island or eat-in space by setting the table.
5. Make sure this space is tidy and smells fresh.

By tackling these three areas of your home, you’ll be one step closer to the closing table. Remember to make improvements in these locations and then declutter, clean and reuse items you have in your home to promote a lifestyle your buyers will envy.

Tori Toth is a Certified Home Staging Expert, Regional Vice President for Real Estate Staging Association and owner of Stylish Stagers, Inc. She has been interviewed on CNN Money and was named a Professional Stager of the Year Finalist in 2012. Learn more about Tori and her Stage 2 Sell Strategy at www.toritoth.com