When it comes to selling your house, first impressions are vitally crucial. The inside and external spaces, as well as the grass, must all be immaculate. In reality, the majority of prospective buyers form a judgement of a house within just 7 to 10 seconds of entering the front door. Naturally, for this reason staging is crucial. According to numerous studies, properties that have been staged sell more quickly and for a higher price than unstaged homes. In light of this, we provide these staging tips to assist you in Philadelphia with sell your house this summer.
Understand What You’re Trying to Accomplish
Understanding why we’re doing something always enables us to do a better job at it. The staging process to sell your house in Philadelphia this summer is no different.
Home staging is the art (and science), in the words of industry professionals, of enhancing a home’s appeal to potential purchasers. The objective is to assist a home in selling as quickly and profitably as feasible. The method has been demonstrated to be effective; in fact, studies have revealed that while staging costs between 1% and 3% of the home’s asking price, it often yields an 8 to 10% return.
The three main goals of staging are to . . .
- Create a blank canvas – You should strive to “create a neutral, tasteful environment that showcases the potential of the home. The goal is for the prospective buyer to be able to immediately visualize how he or she would personalize the home.”
- Make it seem more spacious – A big part of staging involves removing clutter and unnecessary items and then strategically organizing what is left. The result is a house that seems more spacious and roomier.
- Play up the positives and minimize the negatives – Just as your listing photos should highlight your home’s best features and divert attention from blemishes, staging aims to bring out the best in a home and draw attention away from what isn’t so great.
Declutter . . . Everywhere
The first practical step in staging to help you sell your house in Philadelphia this summer is decluttering . . . ruthlessly and everywhere. You’ll start, of course, with general decluttering in the larger rooms and living areas. Then you’ll move on to smaller areas like closets.
And make no mistake: buyers will be poking into closets. So clear those closets out and move what you don’t absolutely need to storage. A good tactic here is to remove and pack up all your out-of-season clothes to make closets and storage areas seem larger.
Less is More for Furniture
The staging rule of thumb for furniture is that less is more, especially if you want to sell your house in Philadelphia this summer.
“”Removing all but a few essential pieces of furniture will make the usable space feel much larger and more open, in addition to making your property look tidy. For instance, keep things basic in the bedroom. Showcase a bed, nightstands, and perhaps a dresser or two.”
Professional stagers advise that while you should strive to clear all rooms, you might be able to get away with storing additional furniture in the garage. They claim that the majority of people won’t notice an untidy garage because they are aware that you are moving and will typically simply glance at the exterior of the garage.
Update Fixtures and Replace Bulbs
And taking care of small, seemingly unimportant things as part of your staging efforts can also help you sell your house in Philadelphia this summer.
“You may design a house that appears to have come out of a luxury magazine, even on a tight budget. Modernizing outdated fixtures is a quick and simple approach to decorate on a budget. An excellent place to start is the kitchen. Small, affordable accents like knobs, handles, drawer pulls, and light switch plates give your house a lovely, high-end shine.”
Replace any burned-out light bulbs as well. Making your property appear spacious, pleasant, and inviting requires good lighting. A well-lit room will assist [buyers] better see the area as a whole and the space it affords. “Proper lighting can make the difference between a buyer seeing your house as a dark dungeon, or a warm and inviting location to raise their family.
Strive for Comfort
People want their houses to appear and feel comfortable since they spend a lot more time there now than they did in the past. So be careful to aim for that comfort factor while preparing your home to sell in Philadelphia.
In the early 2000s, buyers were looking for an open living concept, but that is changing. In the aftermath of COVID, people “are realizing that they need privacy and quiet to work or go to online learning.” Many many buyers want room formats that allow every family member to have an office.
Although buyers still prefer modern furnishings, they no longer favour the overabundance of white that was fashionable in the past. So stay away from anything that seems excessively “cold.” Aim for an appearance that “makes people feel that their lifestyle could blend in with [it] on a daily basis” rather than a cold, impersonal one.
Consult a Philadelphia Agent
It’s a good idea to speak with an agent in Philadelphia about staging advice and strategies that will be most effective there. In different local marketplaces, buyers have varied preferences, therefore a knowledgeable local agent can provide you some expert advice. If you decide to go that route, your agency can also suggest a reputable interior decorator or stager. So be sure to get in touch with us right away at (215) 385-3055 if your objective is to sell your house this summer in Philadelphia.