REALTY EXECUTIVES Regional Office
Homeowners and real estate agents want to get top dollar for the property they’re selling. One way to help get there is to make sure the home looks its best in online photo galleries and in person. Staging a home is an important part of getting the right kind of attention from buyers. Kerri Kane, a certified home stager and Broker Associate with Realty Executives, offers her top tips for staging your space.
If homeowners have a strong emotional attachment to the property, this step may wind up being the hardest. But, it’s important to try to see the home the way potential buyers will. Real estate agents who have a passion for staging can really help assess the situation and offer recommendations.
“I walk into a client’s home and right away my mind starts figuring out what works, what we can work with, and what we should update,” Kerri says. “Sometimes the conversations aren’t easy, but my job is telling you the truth about what needs to be done to get you the selling price you want.”
Outdated wall colors, a scratch on the woodwork, that one bathroom tile that keeps popping out from the wall — all the little things people get kind of get used to living with over time — will definitely stand out to buyers.
“I always want my clients to stay in their homes while they’re on the market if possible,” Kerri says. That’s because a lived-in home is more inviting and warm than an unoccupied property. The downside: clutter. According to Kerri, that can be the difference between having a nice property and a showcase property.
“Sometimes it’s really that simple. Just getting organized and decluttering your home can make a huge impact. Store things in neat containers, clear off counters, stash your kids’ toys in bins under the bed — take things off site if you really need to. The goal is to make the home feel like an easy, comfortable place to live,” she explains.
Part of Kerri’s initial assessment includes suggesting improvements clients can make to their homes. Some may be as simple as fixing a leaky faucet or giving the rooms a fresh coat of paint. Others might be more extensive such as updating flooring or retiling a backsplash.
“If a client can do the work themselves well, and they have time to do it, I’ll suggest making those bigger home improvements,” Kerri says. “It’ll only add more value to the home which is our ultimate goal.”
If you aren’t exactly handy, don’t worry. “Everyone can do something. Adding a few well-placed mirrors to the home, for example, can do wonders,” she says. Updating light fixtures, painting cabinets, or creating an accent wall can all help make a home look and feel more appealing.
It goes without saying that a clean home is more likely to appeal to buyers, but keeping a house in a show-ready state isn’t always easy — especially if you have little ones in the family. “If you don’t do things like wipe down appliances or keep windows clean, people looking at the property will wonder what else you haven’t taken care of,” Kerri explains.
Her advice: “Hire someone if you need to. Get your windows cleaned, have a professional deep clean done — whatever you need to do to get your property looking immaculate.”
In winter make sure you take care of any snow or ice on the walkways right away, and keep a basket of shoe coverings near the door so visitors aren’t tracking slush in. And don’t forget to keep the heat on during colder months if you aren’t staying in the house. You don’t want to deal with a burst pipe!
You’ve probably heard about baking a batch of cookies before a showing to make the home smell, well, homey. While that example is a little cliché, it’s all about establishing the right mood for visitors.
“I recommend using an oil diffuser with a light lemon or other citrusy scent,” Kerri says. “It’s pleasing and it suggests a clean environment without being overwhelming.”
Other things to consider include tasteful seasonal décor, fresh flowers, or adding some simple accents like cozy throws to the sofa or a simple statement throw pillow on a bed.
When time is a factor — as in you don’t have a lot of it for staging — there are virtual staging tools that help make the property look great in online photo galleries. “Virtual tools are a great option. I’ve used them a few times when it wasn’t possible to bring in furniture. There’s no reason to rule it out, especially when it could help sell your property at the price you want,” Kerri says.
Kerri Kane is an agent with Realty Executives Cooper Spransy
As your Realty Executives Agent, my sole focus is to give you the executive treatment you deserve. From listing at the right price to making the best offer, I will be there every step of the way. I am immersed every day in all aspects of the process - comparable home price analysis, property surveys, credit reports, open houses, HOA agreements, lenders, title companies, homeowners’ insurance, walk-throughs, terms of sale or purchase, repairs, concessions and closing documents and much more - and I will put that expertise to work for you. I know buying or selling your home is a big decision and my job is to help make it as easy, stress-free and successful as possible.
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