Anyone who wants to sell a home in Pacific Palisades understands how important it is to effectively stage their residence. They may feel as if their only option is to hire a professional home stager who can come in and take charge of the process. While this is certainly helpful, it’s not the only option. There are steps you can take on your own that will position you for a quicker and more profitable sale. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to consider if you’re thinking about staging your home on your own.
Remove personal items
De-personalizing your home is one of the most important components of the staging process. You don’t want prospective buyers to feel like they are intruding on your space when they come to see your home. You want them to have the space to imagine what the home would look and feel like if it were theirs. This is hard to do when you have family pictures hanging in the living room or personal diplomas displayed on the wall in your office. This distracts them from thinking about whether or not they want to purchase your home. So, go ahead and take these items down. You’re going to have to pack everything up before you move, and you might as well start with these items.
Strategically use scent to your advantage
This is a good tip, but remember, it’s easy to go overboard with scents. Some people have sensitivities to strong and overpowering smells. Smart buyers will notice that you have multiple air fresheners plugged into each room and they may wonder if you’re trying to hide something. A better idea is to bake a batch of fresh cookies before an open house or an in-person showing. You can also diffuse essential oils or bring in fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme.
Clear the clutter
Buyers don’t care about seeing all of your possessions. They know that you’re going to bring these things with you when they leave. As the seller, you don’t want the buyer distracted by the presence of too many things inside the home. Go ahead and take out anything that doesn’t need to remain in the home. Leave behind just enough so that the buyer can understand the design and functionality of each space. You don’t need more than four dining room chairs around the table. Leaving out more will cause the room to quickly feel overcrowded.
You should also make sure that your furniture isn’t pushed too close together. Leave at least eighteen inches of space between each individual piece. It’s also a good idea to bring furniture at least four feet away from the wall to ensure that there’s enough space for everyone to easily move through the room. Many people falsely believe that the room will feel smaller if the furniture sits in the middle of the room rather than pushed all the way up against the wall. Rooms with furniture appropriately spaced and positioned feel larger and more inviting.
Bring in more mirrors
This is especially helpful in rooms with natural light. Placing mirrors in these rooms will reflect the light and make the entire space feel brighter. You can also use mirrors to make a room feel larger and deeper. Try putting mirrors in hallways or small rooms and you’ll be surprised at the immediate positive effect.
Boost your curb appeal
People often forget about curb appeal in the process of home staging. It’s easy to spend more time focusing on the home’s internal appearance and forget all about the external appeal. Curb appeal is incredibly important because it will dictate what sort of first impression the buyer develops when they see your home. It’s hard to make up for a poor first impression, but a good first impression can set the tone for an effective home showing that leads to a strong offer.
Start by cutting your grass and pulling any weeds from your flower bed. If your street numbers are damaged or faded, you can repaint or replace them. Some homeowners will add a new hanging porch light near the front door or repaint the door itself to serve as a better focal point of the home. You can also add a chair or two to the patio if there’s a good space for you to do so. You could even replace your garage door. Not only will this add to your curb appeal, but it will also increase your home’s energy efficiency by improving your insulation.
Start by cutting your grass and pulling any weeds from your flower bed. If your street numbers are damaged or faded, you can repaint or replace them. Some homeowners will add a new hanging porch light near the front door or repaint the door itself to serve as a better focal point of the home. You can also add a chair or two to the patio if there’s a good space for you to do so. You could even replace your garage door. Not only will this add to your curb appeal, but it will also increase your home’s energy efficiency by improving your insulation.
Highlight the kitchen
Your kitchen will be one of the first rooms that prospective buyers want to see when they tour your home. People spend a great deal of time in their kitchen, between preparing meals and hosting guests. Buyers want to know that the home has a kitchen that is functional and aesthetically pleasing. You should stage your kitchen in such a way that the buyer feels like they could walk in and instantly begin preparing a meal. Don’t leave anything out on the countertops except for a bowl of fresh fruit or a potted plant. Consider setting the kitchen table or bar with plates, glasses, and silverware. This will highlight the functionality of the space and make buyers feel like they could instantly sit down and enjoy a meal.
Michelle Schwartz has spent many years helping clients buy and sell in Pacific Palisades, developing a keen awareness of what buyers are looking for when they shop for a new home in this area. She shares this knowledge with each seller she works with so that they are able to position their homes for success. She will help you think about how your home can catch buyers’ eyes and generate greater interest when it goes on the market. Reach out to Michelle when you’re ready to take the next step toward selling your Pacific Palisades home.
