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How to Prepare Your Home For Sale During The Holidays

by bmadmin

I’m all for decorating during the holidays. In fact, I have boxes and boxes in my attic of Halloween and Christmas decorations. However, should I put my home on the market during the holidays, I’d use about a fraction of what I have. There’s a reason behind it. When I decorate, I “add” to what’s already out. In other words, I’m not packing, I’m adding more things.

Now as much as I’d hate to call my holiday decor “clutter”, the simple truth is that it is. And as we all know, clutter eats up real estate. Not good when selling.

My advice – if you bring a holiday decorative item in, replace it with something that is already out.

My second piece of advice – Use accessories that follow the season, as oppose to the holiday.

Here’s an example of the accessories we chose to showcase the living room in a vacant home we staged in Atlanta last week. As you can see, we have used the Autumn colors (brown and orange) and not a single witch or pumpkin.

Atlanta home stager close-up picture

Stores are loaded with fall-like decor so use them to carry you through October and November.

My third piece of advice – use holiday decor sparingly.

In this home, staged for an Atlanta investor who had flipped this property, we added a touch of Christmas by bringing in these metal boxes of presents. These presents were the only holiday decorative item used and can be easily replaced with napkins after Christmas.

Atlanta Home Staging Kitchen Table Christmas Decor

In summary, here are the three tips on how to prepare you home for sale during the holidays:

  • If you bring a holiday decorative item in, replace it with something that is already out.
  • Use accessories that follow the season, as oppose to the holiday. 
  • Use holiday decor sparingly

Kathy Nielsen, owner of Georgia Interior Solutions, is considered to be an expert in the field of Atlanta Home Staging. Her design work has been featured in Atlanta Magazine, the Atlanta Business Chronicle and featured on HGTV. Original article HERE.

Avoid Becoming The Stagnant House When Selling By Staging It Properly

by bmadmin

Home staging is preparing your home for sale, inside and out, focusing on design and overall appearance to make it as desirable as possible to potential buyers. However, many homeowners believe that in order to sell their home, they will have to spend big bucks to get it into shape.

It’s time to debunk that myth. Not everyone can afford to do the major makeovers you see on home improvement shows.

There are many ways to set the stage for a smooth and quick purchase of your home on a shoestring budget, with a little time and creativity.

Learn the benefits of staging your home and the ways you can do so without having to tap your retirement fund!

New Perspective

The home staging process makes you think like a home buyer, which is a valuable tool when trying to present your home from the outside looking in. Ask yourself, “would I buy my house again as is?”

Cleanliness and Organization

Staging forces you to clear out cabinets, clean shelves, go through closets and pack up knick-knacks. You’ll have to do this anyway when you move, but now it serves a dual purpose – saving you last minute stress and enlarging your rooms by removing clutter.

Reduced Market Time

Staging makes it more likely that your house won’t get stale on the market. Staging makes the home more desirable and less personalized, which allows you to move on faster.

Opportunity to Showcase Worth

If you are selling your home in a buyer’s market, it’s easier to defend your asking price when your home stands out. Proper home staging can help you display all the reasons why your home should become theirs at a price that’s agreeable for everyone.

Home staging is not just reserved for the inside!

Otherwise known as curb appeal, the outside of your home should make potential buyers want to see the inside.

Here’s where the outside-looking-in perspective kicks in – Start by standing at the curb and jotting down what you see.

If this wasn’t your home and you were simply walking by, what is your first impression? 

Do you want to see the inside? Does it feel welcoming? Are the flowers and plants well taken care of?

Do you see shutters with chipped paint? 

Are there updates and repairs that need to be made or does the house seem in good condition?

Does the area around the porch look dull and in need of some color?

What could you do to make the house more appealing to potential buyers when they first drive up?

Remember, home staging is about presenting your home in a way that appeals to the most people so that you can sell your home quickly and for a price that makes you happy!