DIY Home Staging: Get Your Home Ready to Go to Market | The Source Weekly

You may be thinking that this spring is a great time to list your home. Well, you’re not the only one! This spring, we anticipate many homeowners will put their homes on the market, just as they usually do this time of year. So how do you make your home stand out and make a great first impression amid the competition? A few simple staging tricks can help your home shine.

While we believe it’s best to hire a professional stager to make your home look its very best, there are a few things you can work on yourself if budget or time doesn’t allow for these additional services.

Step 1: Declutter & Depersonalize
You’ve lived in your home, loved your home and created countless memories there. You’ve also accumulated a lot of stuff. Some of it’s necessary to daily life. Some of it brings you happiness. And some of it’s extra clutter that’s accumulated with time. When you’re listing your home, less is more! The goal is to showcase your home, not your personal style or belongings. Take a weekend to create piles of keep, donate or store items — you can get a head start on packing and clear up your space at the same time. We also recommend putting away anything that is personal, like family photographs, children’s artwork, niche decor, kids’ or pets’ toys and cosmetics collections.

Step 2: Deep Clean for a Fresh Start
It’s spring cleaning time, so this should be on the to-do list already. We recommend focusing on high-impact areas first: kitchen, bathrooms and flooring. Cleaning your windows is a must! For both home photos and in-person walk-throughs, there’s nothing like a clean window to brighten up a space. With clean windows, you can remove heavy drapes and let even more light in. As you clean, beware of using air fresheners to cover up lingering odors or pet smells. This is usually a red flag for buyer’s agents and their clients.

Step 3: Boost Curb Appeal
First impressions from the street really matter. Easy, cost-effective fixes include a fresh coating of mulch and the addition of low-maintenance plants. Additions like a new doormat, a freshly painted front door and new house numbers can quickly give your home a fresh look from the outside. Curb appeal communicates to potential buyers that your home has been cared for.

Step 4: Rearrange & Downsize Furniture
The goal here is to make your spaces feel bigger and more functional. Furniture pieces that you enjoy and provide comfort may not make your space look as large as it really is. Removing a large recliner, for example, may open up the space in big ways and allow potential buyers to envision their own sectional in the space. Following the design theory of the “rule of three” (things grouped in threes are more natural and visually appealing) is a great plan for staging both furniture and accessories, to create the flow and harmony buyers are looking for.

While it’s often best to use a professional stager, these tips can help you start on the road to success in selling your home. Your real estate agent should also help you create a plan for getting these helpful steps completed before listing your home. A little hard work preparing can mean amazing returns on your investment, with competitive offers and a quick sale.