How to Stage Your Home to Sell Fast

Here are the top tips to getting your home ready for a successful sale

Selling your home, and moving, can be one of life’s most stressful events. But getting your home ready doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Take one step at a time to get your home ready to appeal to the most prospective buyers (and the more you do now, the less to do later once the house is sold!). Here’s our best staging tips to get your home ready for a quick and successful sale:

1. Improve curb appeal: The very first impression buyers have of your home is the exterior. Keep the lawn mowed, pressure wash the house and driveway, clean out the gutters and refresh plants and flowers. A new welcome mat and a fresh coat of paint on the front door can be a nice way to make the house really shine from the outside as well.
2. Clean clean clean! First up, bathrooms! Make them cleaner than you could ever imagine! Recaulk the tub if needed, update worn out or corroded faucets and shower heads; and add a new shower curtain, towels and bath mat. Keep the rest of the house dusted, floors vacuumed and mopped and tidy (more on this next).
3. Declutter: This one is SO important. Box up things you do not need (and make packing later on even easier). Take almost everything off counters and side tables (like in the kitchen, bathrooms, island, coffee table and side tables), and put away appliances to free up counter space (think toaster, coffee maker, mixer, etc.).  You can even use the guest room closet (or a similar space) to put things away for an “easy to view” experience (think about anything that you use every day, but shouldn’t be on display, and put it in a box or basket, like what’s on your bathroom counters, shoes by the door, mail, toys, etc.).
4. Spruce up! While you’re removing anything unnecessary, it’s still nice to create a nice vibe and energy in the home. Add a vase of fresh cut flowers or bowl of lemons on the counter or kitchen table. Repot or add new plants to not only breathe fresh air into the home, but add warmth, depth and coziness to your space.
5. Organize! Make your home seem like you’re a perfectionist, with closets, cupboards and cabinets organized. Get rid of things you no longer need (or donate them!), pack up clothes out of season, and toss old spices and canned food. Every buyer wants more storage, and so the more space you can show them, the better.
6. Remove personal effects: Depersonalize by taking down family photos or anything super personal or identifying to help the buyers visualize themselves in the home. Hide or lock away prescriptions, alcohol, jewelry and valuables.
7. Remove or rearrange furniture: Rethink your furniture placement, including your porch and backyard, so buyers have easy access to walk around the living space. Consider functionality and spaciousness, especially in smaller rooms or rooms difficult to photograph. Arrange patio furniture for gatherings and sit downs, and pull furniture just slightly off the walls.
8. Improve lighting: Use the same temperature and tone, whether that’s bright white or warm white, and try for similar voltage in all your lamps and bulbs. Make sure to keep your exterior light or porch light on in case buyers drive by in the evenings for a little preview, and ensure your walkways are well-lit.
9. Paint and make repairs as needed! Well, this one explains itself. Peeling paint or stained walls? Give it a refresh, and choose neutral colors. Make necessary repairs to give buyers less to negotiate with.
10. Enjoy your tidy home: You’ve done all the work – now it’s time to sell! Call us today to list your home at 904-940-5000 or email at info@davidsonrealtyinc.com. And if you need help staging your home, we here at Davidson are always here to help! Learn more about selling your home in Jacksonville or St. Augustine at www.davidsonrealtyinc.com/sell.