Here’s advice on staging from Madeline Dobbs of Compass in Greenville, the author of How to Sell Your House in 30 Days.
What’s the first step in preparing for staging?
Declutter! Box up personal photos and knickknacks. Remove [half of your] clothes and other items from closets and make certain you can see the closet floor. Purge your attic and basement of things you no longer need.
Why not clear out everything?
When a buyer tours a house that is empty, they may only focus on looking for blemishes. Many buyers cannot visualize furniture placement if a home is empty. They also feel cold, unlike the warmth that a well-staged house provides.
What are some ways to make a house feel fresh and spacious?
Paint your walls a nice neutral color. This will give buyers a fresh feeling, and your home’s photos will stand out in the online listing. I like Dune White by Benjamin Moore. Ideally, paint the entire main level this color. At a minimum, paint the walls that you see first when you walk in the front door.
Do sellers who stage their homes get better prices?
Staging a home increases the sale price by up to 20%, according to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals.
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