9 DIY Home Staging Tips

The goal of many home sellers is to get their property connected with the right buyer quickly and sell it at the highest price. There are a number of factors that will affect a home's sale, including market conditions, interest rates, and availability of comparable homes in the area. For those looking to make a quick, easy sale, the best way to set their home up for success is to ensure potential buyers see their Napa Valley real estate at its best.

Home staging serves to get the home ready to be listed for sale. It involves setting up each room in the house to highlight the property's strengths and appeal to potential buyers. Even though it may feel like an unnecessary expense, proper staging can have a big impact on the success of a home’s sale. In general, homes that have been staged spend 73% less time on the market and are sold for 25% more.

For many, hiring a professional stager is an important step in the home-selling journey. Sellers can expect to pay, on average, $1,800 on staging, but this depends on the size of the home and any furniture or decor needed. Sellers who don’t have access to a stager or need to prepare the real estate on a budget can follow these effective DIY home staging tips and get their homes ready to sell successfully.

The first step to staging a home is ensuring every room is perfectly clean. Buyers do not want to feel like they are walking into someone else’s home when taking a tour, and making sure the home is clean can help them become immersed in the space. Everything from floor to ceiling should be meticulously scrubbed down. Even areas that are not often seen, like behind the toilet or kitchen appliances, should be cleaned. Pay extra attention to the kitchen and bathroom, as these areas usually get the most use in a home. By the end, everything should look new again.

Once everything has been thoroughly cleaned, each room should be decluttered. Anything that makes the space looks messy or takes up too much space should be removed. Be sure to pick up things like games, seasonal clothing, and papers, as well as expired food, in the kitchen. Clutter can distract buyers from the home's best features and make the space seem smaller. You want to be able to show off your home’s strengths and convince buyers it is a place they want to live.

Just like with dirt and clutter, personalized objects can take away from a buyer’s time looking at a home. While someone is touring a home, they are looking to see if it will be a good fit for them. Buyers want to be able to see themselves living in the home before making the purchase. On average, 82% of buyers claim that a properly staged home helped them visualize owning the property. When staging, you will want to make sure all personal effects are put away. That includes family photos, toys, keepsakes, and toiletries.

No one wants to move into a new home only to quickly outgrow it or find that they don’t have enough space for their belongings. Because of that, many buyers are conscious of a home’s storage space before buying. Therefore, sellers should make sure closets, shelves, and vanities are looking their best. Storage spaces should look clean and organized. Putting a few items can help make the space look bigger than if it is left empty, but be sure not to overfill it.

On the day of a showing, be sure to let as much light into the home as possible. Lighting can help make your home look brighter and more inviting to potential buyers. Let as much natural light as possible by opening curtains and blinds. Turn on all light fixtures in the home, too, even ones in closets, as it will help brighten up the entire home.

If your home needs any small repairs, now is the time to make them. Most buyers are not looking to purchase a fixer-upper and will pass on a home that requires too much work to move into. The house should look move-in ready while potential buyers are touring and have no obvious signs of disrepair. If the faucets are leaking, lights flicking, or walls are damaged, be sure to fix them before showing off the home.

Staging should help buyers envision how to utilize the home's space. Each room should be set up to showcase its specific purpose. For instance, a spare room could be set up as a home office or a finished basement as an entertainment space. Setting up each room to highlight a specific purpose will show how the home's square footage can be maximized. Even if the buyer does not use the room for the same purpose, staging can help them see how much useable space the room has.

Be sure to mask any odors from pets, kids, or food in the home before showing it off to a buyer. Potted plants and a good scent can help revitalize the home and add an inviting feel. Wiping down the countertops with lemon just before a showing can give the room a clean fragrance, while vanilla candles in the rest of the home will leave a pleasant aroma.

It is easy to get wrapped up in the home’s interior when staging. However, the exterior is just as important. The outside of a property will be the first thing a buyer sees, so it should look its best. Be sure the lawn, hedges, and trees are manicured and pruned. Consider adding flowers around the yard for a pop of color. Wash the outside of the house thoroughly so it looks fresh and ready for its new owner.

If you are looking to sell your Napa Valley home, it’s best to have a local realtor by your side. Yvonne Rich has been passionately serving the area for years and will be able to walk you through any questions you have about staging or home-selling. Contact Yvonne today to get started on the home-selling process.