Sell Faster in 2018:
Design and Staging Tips
Selling your home can often be stressful as you live life in limbo. Once the house is listed, you want to receive a good offer as quickly as possible. Here are tips for staging and upgrading your home for a faster sale in 2018:
Start With the Basics
Buyers are going to be turned off if they see a leaking roof or furnace on its last leg. It's not going to matter how impressive your kitchen is if your home has major issues. While new siding isn't glamorous, the improvement can return nearly 92.8 percent of your investment, according to Remodeling magazine. Window and roof replacements also return a high investment of around 80 percent.
Related: Cost vs. Value: The Home Improvement Projects With the Highest ROI in 2018
Cleaning Your Home
Getting every nook and cranny clean is the cheapest way to increase appeal. Potential buyers need to picture themselves living in your home. Dirt, grime and disrepair can distract them from the highlights of your home. Make sure your home is spotless for each showing, vacuuming floors and double-checking surfaces for streaks before leaving.
Hiring a professional to deep-clean and get into the crevices may not be a bad idea. You won't want dirty dishes or laundry sitting around, so make sure they are either done or taken with you during the showing.
Instagram-Ready
Photogenic homes are more likely to excite buyers and get them placing bids faster. Here are a few ways to make your home Instagram-worthy:
- Dramatic Color Accents: Purple is a big color for 2018. Update your home with trending accents. Lavenders are projected to be a popular decorating color and Pantone announced Ultra Violet as the 2018 Color of the Year. Using jewel tones in your floral arrangements, including mixed metal decor and choosing the right faux fur throw can help modernize your house to appeal to buyers.
- Light and Bright: If at all possible, brighten your spaces with natural lighting from windows, unique light fixtures and bright walls. Brighter interior spaces are easier to photograph.
- Moody Interiors: If natural light isn't readily available, dark charcoals and navy colors can exaggerate the furniture and room features; however, buyers can be easily scared off if they feel like they need to repaint the walls. While moody can be a big payoff for the right house, it can be a devastating choice for the wrong house.
- Two-Tone Cabinets: Finishing upper and lower cabinets differently can create an interesting dynamic in the kitchen. A HomeAdvisor survey says the national average cost of refinishing cabinets is $2,600. Bleached wood lower cabinets can be contrasted with a vibrant paint color on the cabinets above.
Clutter-Free
Staging the Home
Curb Appeal
When potential buyers arrive at the home, what kind of first impression is your home presenting? Curb appeal is typically a low-cost upgrade that can lead to faster sales. Make sure the exterior is clean by power washing the siding, driveway and walkways. Keep the lawn mowed, bushes trimmed and trees pruned back from the house. Keep the gardens free of weeds, mulched and edged. Spruce up the entrance with potted flowers or cute furniture that makes the space feel inviting and inspiring. Give your front door a fresh coat of paint and hang house numbers that are visible from the street.
Selling your home can be a very stressful process, but it doesn't have to be! Follow these tips and up your chances of having solid offers come in quickly.
Alethea M. is a freelance writer from Indiana with a background in advertising and marketing. She spent years at non-profit companies working as a copywriter and graphic designer. She now spends her time as a wife, mother and writer.
RE/MAX real estate
Email: joel@lehighvalleyhomes.com
Website: http://www.LehighValleyHome.com
Location: 3120 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA, United States
Phone: 610-770-9000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LehighValleyHome/