“No personal photos!” Some experts say it’s the first rule of home staging when you’re putting your house on the market. But what else should you do to beef up your curb (and interior) appeal? As you put those precious memories in storage to prepare for your home’s market debut, here are some ideas specific to the season as well as best practices when it comes to home staging.
What’s On The Outside
Curb appeal is key to getting prospective buyers inside your home. Make sure your trash bins are pulled into the garage or in a discrete place, and trim back any overgrown plants. Does your porch need a fresh paint job or any kind of repair? This is the prime time to tackle that project. A little color never hurt, either: When you’re ensuring that any patches in the lawn have been filled and the grass has been cut, perhaps put together a pair of planters outside your front door with some brightly colored orange and red flowers and autumn foliage, like coleus.
Tidy The Toys And Kitchen
If you have children, you have toys. Make sure all toys – from video games to stuffed animals and tricycles – both inside and outside the home are put away and out of sight. It’ll make your home appear larger and cleaner. Clear off your kitchen counters to the best of your ability. A dust-free, sparkly kitchen will shine with potential to any possible buyers.
Something Green
An easy way to spruce up your space is with a few indoor plants. Fresh plants give visitors a feeling of cleanliness and serenity. Consider buying two or three and place one in the kitchen, one in the master bedroom, and one in the family room. Ferns or orchids are an ideal choice, during fall or any time of year. For a more fall appeal, put a sack of green or red apples in a decorative bowl on the kitchen counter, and a few fresh pumpkins by the entry.
Set The Table
Pretend like you’re hosting family and friends for Thanksgiving dinner and set your table with a little bit of flare. Decorative gourds make for long-lasting and festive centerpieces as do dried flowers, mums or mini-pumpkins. You want to show off your home and allow prospective buyers to envision themselves dining, entertaining and making their own special memories here.