As Cupid takes aim at the real estate market this Valentine's Day, homeowners looking to sell can make the most of the romantic spirit to attract potential buyers. With deliberate staging, you can transform your home so that buyers will fall head over heels. G.M. Filisko at Houselogic.com proposed seven inspiring tips to ensure your home steals hearts and seals deals this Valentine's season.
Start with a Clean Slate. Before you can worry about where to place furniture and which wall hanging should go where, each room in your home must be spotless. Do a thorough cleaning right down to the nitpicky details like wiping down light switch covers. Deep clean and deodorize carpets and window coverings.
Stow Away Your Clutter. It’s harder for buyers to picture themselves in your home when they’re looking at your family photos, collectibles, and knickknacks. Pack up all your personal decorations. However, don’t make spaces like mantles and coffee and end tables barren. Leave three items of varying heights on each surface, suggests Barb Schwarz of Staged Homes in Concord, Pa. For example, place a lamp, a small plant, and a book on an end table.
Scale Back on Your Furniture. When a room is packed with furniture, it looks smaller, which will make buyers think your home is less valuable than it is. Make sure buyers appreciate the size of each room by removing one or two pieces of furniture. If you have an eat-in dining area, using a small table and chair set makes the area seem bigger.
Rethink Your Furniture Placement. Highlight the flow of your rooms by arranging the furniture to guide buyers from one room to another. In each room, create a focal point on the farthest wall from the doorway and arrange the other pieces of furniture in a triangle around the focal point, advises Schwarz. In the bedroom, the bed should be the focal point. In the living room, it may be the fireplace, and your couch and sofa can form the triangle in front of it.
Add Color to Brighten Your Rooms. Brush on a fresh coat of warm, neutral-color paint in each room. Ask your real estate agent for help choosing the right shade. Then accessorize. Adding a vibrant Afghan, throw, or accent pillows for the couch will jazz up a muted living room, as will a healthy plant or a bright vase on your mantle. High-wattage bulbs in your light fixtures will also brighten up rooms and basements.
Set the Scene. Lay logs in the fireplace and set your dining room table with dishes and a centerpiece of fresh fruit or flowers. Create other vignettes throughout the home — such as a chess game in progress — to help buyers envision living there. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.
Make your bathrooms feel luxurious by adding a new shower curtain, towels, and fancy guest soaps (after you put all your personal toiletry items out of sight). Judiciously add subtle potpourri, scented candles, or boil water with a bit of vanilla mixed in. If you have pets, clean bedding frequently and spray an odor remover before each showing.
Make the Entrance Grand. Mow your lawn and trim your hedges and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before showings to make your lawn sparkle. If flowers or plants don’t surround your home’s entrance, add a pot of bright flowers. Top it all off by buying a new doormat and adding a seasonal wreath to your front door.
Here are some additional suggestions to compliment the ones provided by G.M. Filisko at Houselogic.com.
Design a Welcoming Ambiance. Infuse your home with a comfortable and inviting atmosphere by incorporating loving touches throughout. Soft, dim lighting can create a warm, relaxed ambiance, while scented candles or fragrant flowers add a delightful sensory experience. Consider playing soft music in the background to enhance those warm fuzzy feelings further.
Curate Cozy and Inviting Spaces. Create inviting nooks and cozy corners where prospective buyers can envision themselves cuddling up with a loved one. Arrange plush throws and cushions on sofas or armchairs and set the scene with a tray of gourmet chocolates or sweets for an added touch of luxury.
Appeal to the Senses. Incense the home with fragrances that stimulate the senses by incorporating indulgent elements throughout your home. Freshly baked cookies or a pot of fresh herbs on the stove can create a welcoming aroma, while plush textures and luxurious fabrics appeal to the sense of touch. Consider offering sweet treats or beverages during open houses to leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.
Embracing these tips, homeowners have an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on buyers that is designed to evoke warm, fuzzy feelings and create an atmosphere that sparks love at first sight. So, as love fills the air this Valentine's season, let your home draw buyers in with its irresistible charm and leave them eager to make it their own. That’s Who We R®.