Home Staging Tips To Attract The Right Buyer | Rethink Home Interiors

The dilemma I describe in today's video–lots of traffic, no offers–is not uncommon but with some solid Home Staging tips, it can totally be turned around. In fact, this seller's problem kind of reminded me that in my business, my branding coach always says that I don't want to just attract clients, I want to attract the right clients for me and my message needs to align with my ideal client's expectations. Selling your house is really no different. Your house has to align with your ideal buyer's wants and needs. And, most likely, her buyer is going to be someone younger than her looking for a fresher feeling space.

Attracting the right buyers is great. Aligning with their expectations is even better.

I believe that you can sell your house quickly in any market. You just need the right tools and information. So what can you do to attract today's buyers and make them really, really want your house when they come to see it? Here are some Home Staging tips that buyers love to see:

Home Staging Tip #1: Lots of Pictures

Did I say this yet? I think it is worth saying one more time. 20-25 photos will really display your property and give buyers plenty of information to consider a visit. You know that happens when you do that? You know that when someone is coming to your house, they really liked what they saw online and you are more likely to get an offer.

Home Staging Tip #2: Kitchen Updates

Now, if you have a recently updated kitchen, you are in great shape and just need to follow these Home Staging tips for your photos and showings:

clear your countertops for your photo session.
remove all accessories that are placed on top of cabinets, including plants see in the photo below how it dates a perfectly nice kitchen. Honestly, that is more likely to turn off buyers than the older model refrigerator.
remove all magnets from the refrigerator–not to pick on the picture below again, but it is just such a good example of simple mistakes people make.
remove the banana tree–I see this so often and always wondered who bought those things. Um…everyone, it seems.

Once your photos are taken, I am more lenient about what you can keep out just don't make it look like you are having an appliance or tchotchke yard sale! That said, keep the stuff off the tops of the cabinets. It really dates your house and turns today's buyers off as you can see–is it me or is the clown thing a little creepy?

home staging tips, how to sell your house, clutter on top of cabinets — Kitchen What Not To Do

If your kitchen is older and full of oak cabinetry, your first thought may be to add granite counters. Honestly, you would be amazed what just painting the cabinets and updating to stainless appliances can do when Staging your kitchen. Buyers today love lighter kitchens. 9 out of the top 10 kitchens on houzz.com had white cabinetry–and all had stainless appliances–so dig out your paint gear and get going! Look at the difference painting the cabinet made in this bathroom that I staged.

unstaged bathroom, home staging tips — Unstaged Bathroom

Cabinet painted Benjamin Moore Wickham Gray. Walls are Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter, staged bathroom — Cabinet painted Benjamin Moore Wickham Gray. Walls are Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter.

Home Staging Tip #3: Neutral Paint Colors

Do you have a room (or two) that even you are questioning may be turn off to buyers? Go with your gut on this one! I'd rather have you put in extra work now than be left sitting with an unsold house later. There are some great neutrals that can work beautifully with a lot of color schemes. I have written about this before here. And here are a few more old reliables (great for flips too):

Benjamin Moore Revers Pewter Sight Green Gray, dining room, home staging tips — Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (a very slight green-gray that is very neutral)

Benjamin Moore Muslin (barely there pinky beige undertones), neutral paint colors — Benjamin Moore Muslin (barely there pinky beige undertones)

Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan , great green-beige, neutral colors, home staging tips — Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan (great green-beige that works almost every time)

For more great color inspiration and education, check out Maria Killiam's blog here.

Home Staging Tip #4: Bathroom Updates

Buyers today love a spa like setting in the bathroom. You can stage it by:

painting a neutral color
adding white towels (not embellished with chords or trim or themed)
adding a white shower curtain
making sure everything is off the counters
removing bathmats or rugs of any kind on floor or toilet seat cover
removing the plunger from next to the toilet
painting dated tile
changing out the mirror and/or light fixture
adding a frameless shower enclosure

Home Staging Tip #5: Window Updates

I'm strictly talking about the decorative element of windows here. I see so many outdated window treatments in my line of work and they are probably the things that I change most often in my clients' homes. Valances, swags and jabots, and fat verticle blinds really make your house feel tired and old. Buyers today like straight panels that reach the floor and natural woven shades. Now, I know that buyers can easily change out the window treatments themselves, but honestly, they can't visualize how your house could look hip and fresh with the outdated ones in place. Invest in some reasonably priced ones from Target and Ikea–my go-to sources for inexpensive fashionable window coverings–and they might even ask to include the treatments in the sale like what happened to one of my clients. Look at the difference here: