Over the past few months, I received e-mails in relation to home-staging and how can it help you when you are selling (or thinking of selling!) your property! AND "if" it really can do something for you... I could picture some dubbitative faces on the other side of the computer!... My answer is YES, if we apply the right tips: it will all help with the sale and maximise your return. Quite too often, people think the best way to sell fast a property is to reduce the price, when they have not had a lot of offers for example. But an external (professional) point of view is always a great idea, as you may have missed on a few things that can put people off when visiting your little gem.
Let me share you below some of my tips, that should help you!
1- Make a good first impression!
First impression really counts: make sure you present your home well and spend time to arrange things around. Space should be light and fresh. Get rid of any junk and lock it in a garage until you finish the viewings.
If you’re unsure where to start and what to do, you can hire me :) or any professional home-stagger or de-clutterer.
2- Hide that clutter, mon Chéri!
Remove all clutter that has piled up over the years and which is probably part of "your daily life". Look around, do you see it? I do that exercise two to three times a year at my own place. Once before Spring, which we call the "menage de printemps"... How does it make you feel now? Do you find there is more space, more breathy? Now you understand why, if you leave your clutter, it can make your future buyer feel a bit claustrophobic maybe.. And you would not give your place 100% of chance to be convincing..
3- Move things around: optimise space!
You might think, it is a bit related to points 1 and 2. Well yes and no.
By moving things around, you can see your own space totally differently. This is a fact, we get used to our furniture and small items, we don't moved them around much (not to write NEVER! Unless you are a bit "interiors" addicted like me then your house "changes" slightly monthly!)
When your potential buyers come, what are they looking for? They are after their dream cocoon place. The house or flat where they want to raise their family, invite friends for parties and/or just hang around and relax. They want to picture themselves in your space so TO HELP them to project themselves in your current space, nothing better than to remove chunky furniture or move them around in a more breathy way.
4- It is not about YOU this time!
Make sure to remove all pictures frames, very unusual artwork, jewellery, notes on the fridge, clothes, movies, games etc. If you have animals at home, try to take them for a walk by a friend or find a temporary solution. Every space that will be visited has to be inviting and depersonalised.
5- Make it neutral, if you can!
Yes, I wrote the "N" word. When I first started in the interiors business in 2004, I thought our industry was boring with all that beige and cream, taupe and sandy tones.. Then over the years, it made more sense as per why those tones are so popular.
So if you have some areas or bedrooms that have a screaming red on the wall, a wild Chelsea blue on all the walls or some orange wallpaper from the 50s, let's work together! :-) We can see how we can re-brand your house with little costs: some new paint and a knowledgeable team (me and my decorators!) can help there!
5- Create a relaxing atmosphere
Make sure your place is inviting and has a neutral (not overwhelming or disturbing ) scent: do no special perfumes etc.
If you would like to discover more about how I can help you with the improvement of your property before to sell it (or if is on sale right now but not moving!), drop me an e-mail: urszula@fifidelyon.com
