When it comes to staging your home for potential buyers, it’s easy to focus a large majority of your attention on the “money making” rooms in your home—i.e. kitchen, master bath, living room. However, there’s something to be said for lavishing a bit of your attention on the understated supporting players in your home.
After all, buyers aren’t simply purchasing your kitchen—they’re purchasing the whole package, which means they’ll expect to see a fluid, clean concept throughout your home. Therefore, pay close attention to the following “second-stringer” checklist. It may just help you sell your home sooner rather than later.
MAKE AN ENTRANCE. If your home has a foyer, make a point to show it off! Feel free to include little touches such as coat hooks for visitors, a vase of flowers, or a table with bottles of water for potential buyers. In essence, your entrance is for receiving guests, so your goal should be to create a welcoming atmosphere.
KEEP THE MUD OUT OF THE MUDROOM. Yes, the ultimate purpose of a mudroom is to provide an area where you can remove items—such as shoes and rain coats—that may have gotten dirty in the great outdoors; however, while buyers will most likely understand this, they won’t want to see remnants of your last hiking venture.
Therefore, your goal is to show buyers how organized life can be in your home. Add cubbies and shelves to hold things like running shoes and winter gloves, and make a point to install wall hooks for discarded coats and book bags. Make a point to add a colorful rug that can catch dirt before it’s tracked into the house and don’t be afraid to play up the walls with a bright coat of paint. Neutrals should be the goal throughout the rest of the house, but the mudroom is one area that will handle a bold color quite nicely.
SHOW OFF AN UNFINISHED BASEMENT’S POTENTIAL. While you may not have taken the time to finish your basement, that doesn’t mean potential buyers won’t. Plain and simple, an unfinished basement is a blank canvass and many buyers will see it for what it is—a vessel for increasing their home’s value.
Therefore, instead of shoving all of your spare clutter into a haphazard pile in the basement and assuming buyers will understand, make sure things are organized and consider utilizing the services of a good contractor who can provide an estimate for finishing the space. Buyers like to know what they can expect, so they’ll likely appreciate a little knowledge on how much it will cost them if they decide to make a future renovation.
MAKE USE OF YOUR PORCH. The front porch is back in style, so if you’re lucky enough to have more than just a front stoop, make a point to stage it for potential buyers. Everyone loves a comfy porch chair, so consider adding some seating space next to a colorful outdoor rug and a small table with a pitcher of lemonade or apple cider (depending upon the season). At the end of the day, buyers will remember the refreshment!
DECLUTTER THE GARAGE. Yes, we know—you park your cars in there (or just use it for storage), which means we’re likely to find a host of oil stains, leaves, and dirt; however, while no one expects your garage to be a spotless vehicle showroom, it still needs to be accessible. Make a point to organize any sports equipment, tools, and lawn care necessities, and spend a bit of time sweeping excess debris back outside.
CONCLUSION
It’s often said that success is in the details and selling your home is no different. By assuming that buyers “will understand” or won’t care about accumulated dirt and clutter in certain areas of your home, you’re setting yourself up for a difficult real estate experience. A quick sale requires a solid showing throughout your home, so make a point to target those oft-overlooked areas.
If you’d like some advice or assistance, I’d be more than happy to offer my expertise.
Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789
