Home Staging Checklist
WHY YOU SHOULD STAGE YOUR HOME WHEN SELLING
Staging a home is a strategic marketing tool used by sellers to help buyers imagine themselves living in your home and fall in love with their property.
Staging is more than just putting a new welcome mat in front of the door and getting new throw pillows – when done correctly it can help a home sell for more money in a shorter amount of time.
*Statistics from the National Association of Realtors® Research Group, 2019
of real estate agents said staging made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.
of buyers’ agents said that home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home.
TO STAGE OR NOT TO STAGE
PROS
– Staging makes the listing photos look phenomenal, attracting more buyers into the home.
– Staging allows buyers to envision themselves living in your home.
– Staging has been proven to get a higher price in shorter time.
CONS
– Staging can take time to set up and take down after selling.
– Staging can be costly when hiring a professional stager company.
– If done poorly, staging may not be in the buyers’ taste.
EASY, LOW COST HOME UPGRADES WITH HIGHT RETURN
Consider these lower-cost home upgrades before listing your home to make your home more attractive to buyers, resulting in a higher price tag and lower time on the market.
1. Repaint & Clean Walls
1. Using light shades of blue or gray have been shown to be more appealing to potential buyers
2. In the kitchen paint baseboards, kitchen cabinets, trim, molding.
2. Landscape
Add some color with flowers and shrubs
Keep the lawn mowed and remove weeds,
3. Upgrade lLghting
1. Swap out old light bulbs with new brighter
bulbs
2. Add more lamps and accent lighting to
brighten up darker rooms
4. Replace Old Appliances
When buyers know they don’t need to
replace appliances for years, they have a
much easier time saying “yes to the address”
5. Consider Renewing Floor Finishes and Replacing Old Carpets
Flooring is one of the first things a potential
buyer will see and can make or break it for
them. Cleaning or renewing your floors can
result in a great return.
HOME STAGING CHECKLIST
CREATE A GAME PLAN
- Walk through your home, room by room as if you are a buyer and take notes on what needs to be done.
- Consider having a home inspector come and see if anything needs to be repaired.
- Have a yard sale and throw out
anything you do not need anymore (this will make packing up to move easier, too!).
KITCHEN & BATHROOMS
- Mop and polish floors.
- Clean appliances and fixtures.
- Clean and organize pantry, throw out any old items and show off the storage space.
- Replace old caulking Remove all stains from sinks, toilets, showers/tubs.
- Keep all toilet seat lids closed.
- Stow away your personal soaps, hygiene products, medications, etc.
GO MARIE KONDO ON THE PLACE
- Thoroughly clean the entire home, or hire a professional cleaning company to do this.
- Steam clean carpets, if stained consider replacing carpet.
- Repair all cracks and holes in walls.
- Paint all interior walls a neutral color.
- Remove any excess furniture.
- Organize closets and remove any clothes not in season to show off the space in closets.
- De-clutter: stow away any small appliances, knick knacks,, personal items, etc. Remember, less is more!
- Remove valuable items from home like cash or jewelry.
CURB APPEAL
- Paint the home’s exterior, trim, doors, and shutters.
- Power wash Consider sprucing up the front door with a fresh coat of paint, welcome mat and plants.
- Inspect the roof.
- Sweep the entryways.
- Keep lawn mowed and maintained.
- Clean up pet droppings.
- Clean the gutters and downspouts.
FINISHING TOUCHES
- Open windows, let fresh air in and light a scented candle.
- Turn all of the lights, open the blinds.
