The spring home selling season is kicking off, and home staging is a big part of getting a house ready for the market.
Homeowners in New York need to start preparing now to turn their home from a clearly lived-in space to a magazine-worthy home that will impress potential buyers enough to make an offer. Here are our top do’s and don’t for staging your New York home.
DO Prioritize Curb Appeal
The curb appeal will play a large role in a prospective buyer’s first impression of your home. Ensure it’s a good impression by doing the following:
- Pressure wash the exterior and touch up paint as needed
- Trim shrubs and trees, pull weeds, and cut the grass
- Clean or paint the front door and add a season wreath and welcome mat
- Plant flowers in planters or flower beds
- Update exterior fixtures like house numbers and lighting
DO Clean and Declutter
Inside and outside, start by removing excess junk and clutter. Throw out stacks of magazines, broken toys, piles of papers, and more. Take out anything that’s overly personalized like family photos, memorabilia, and collections. Reduce the amount of stuff in your home by a third, placing the excess in storage if you want to keep it. Once everything is decluttered, clean your house from top to bottom. You can hire a professional cleaner if you’re not feeling up to the task. Regardless of how it gets done, cleaning is essential to home staging.
Do Refresh Paint and Accessories
If it’s been a few years since your walls have been painted, it’s probably time for a fresh coat. Pick a neutral color that will appeal to a broad amount of buyers. Avoid anything too polarizing. Then bring in fresh new touches like throw pillows, window treatments, and rugs.
DON’T Neglect Repairs
A hole in the wall. A leaky faucet. A dysfunctional dishwasher. Neglecting to make repairs on your home does not bode well for selling. Make sure everything in your home is functional before you list it for sale.
DON’T Make Major Renovations
Sellers who spend thousands on major kitchen renovations are not likely to see their money back in sale price. Focus your money instead on less expensive updates that make a big impact like paint and lighting.
DON’T Buy New Furniture
Rearranging and reducing the amount of furniture in your house can go a long way, and it’s a lot cheaper than buying new furniture. It’s not worth it to buy new furniture for a space that you don’t plan on living in for much longer. Make the most of what you have and spruce it up with a new throw blanket or a vase of fresh flowers.
WNY Home Buyers Can Help
Are you ready to sell your New York home but feeling bogged down by the prospect of home staging? WNY Home Buyers can help! We buy homes in any condition with no need to clean, make repairs, or worry about curb appeal. No staging required at all! We buy homes fast in Buffalo, New York and the surrounding area. Contact us today for your cash offer!