When it comes to showing a house, presentation is everything. Details small and large can make meaningful impacts on buyers, so it’s important to get ahead of the game. From big changes like wallpaper to small changes like decluttering, here are some tips on getting your house ready for an open house.
Declutter the Entire House
This task can be tedious, but it’s worth it in the end. It’s a great way to go through items in your house that you no longer need or want. Chip away at it room by room. If you find items you’re emotionally tied to but no longer need, take a photo or two and then throw them away. MHM Professional staging suggests removing 50-75% of items from shelves. Your goal is to show how stylish the home is without overwhelming buyers with clutter.
Don’t slack off when it comes to decluttering. Look high and low, just as buyers will. Think of any place in your home that’s a mess and tidy it up. Remember closets, drawers, and items in the garage. It’s normal to have stored items there, but too much will put off buyers, so rent a storage unit if need be. You’ll also want to ensure that any pets are kept away from the house as well as properly staging each room.
Depersonalize Every Room
According to HomeLight, research shows that the rooms buyers care most about are the kitchen, living room, dining room, and master bedroom. Focus your efforts there. Take down posters, family photos, and even children’s drawings from the refrigerator. Rehome items that show off your interests and hobbies — even those golf trophies in the garage!
If you have a home office, make sure to depersonalize it as well. If you don’t have a home office, consider setting up a space in a spare bedroom to serve as a home office during your open house. The goal is to let potential buyers envision the space as a functional, stress-free office — be sure that there is plenty of light, good furniture, and maybe a planner. Each component will let buyers know how the space will serve their needs.
Depersonalizing is all about reducing your “visual footprint” on the home. Let them explore your home with wonder, not the uncomfortable feeling of being in someone else’s home.
Create Clear Walking Paths Both Outside and Inside
Naturally, buyers need a clear path to even enter the home, so make sure there is one. Clear away bushes and other plants that may have overgrown into the walking space. Remember, you need to look at your house through the eyes of a buyer. You might not even notice the ivy that covers your walkway, so be on the lookout for little details and prune accordingly.
Your house should also be easy to navigate with no obstructions. You’ll likely have to move some furniture around or even eliminate items from the room altogether. Move clutter out of the way and ensure you’re creating a wide enough space for walking. If you have children, keep their play areas as far from the path as possible; you don’t want their toys to end up in the way and cause an accident.
Paint or Create a Focal Wall
Give the house a fresh update with new paint colors. You don’t need to cover every room, but do consider areas like the entryway, master bedroom, and kitchen. Choose colors that feel soothing — blues, grays, and beiges are just a few options. The goal is to make it feel homey and allow visitors to picture themselves there. This is part of why neutral colors are a good idea: they’re likely to match at least some of buyers’ furniture, bedding, and art, making it even easier for them to imagine living there. If you want to go really bold and make a big change, create a focal wall. You can choose a bright color to lighten up the family room or a natural pattern to create an elegant dining room.
Highlight Your Home’s Best Features
Preparing for an open house is stressful and hard work. With the right adjustments, be it depersonalizing the home or wallpapering a room, you’ll see your number of interested parties increase. So take the time to declutter, depersonalize, and redecorate, so you can show off what you have always loved about your home.
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