Summer is approaching, and many are getting ready to list their homes for sale in the Green Bay and N.E. Wisconsin area. Are you planning on selling your home? You’re probably hoping, like many others, to sell your house quickly, and at your asking price. This goal doesn’t come without some work on your part, however. In order to attract the right buyer and leverage your ideal price, you’ll need to stage your home in a way that makes it look enticing.
Staging might be a word of contention for some — many associate it with expensive furniture upgrades and costly renovation projects. In some extreme cases, an investment like this is exactly what a homeowner might need if they wish to leave their real estate experience happy. But there are plenty of other ways you can make your home look appealing that don’t cost an arm and a leg!
Make yours the best of all the houses for sale in Green Bay and N.E. Wisconsin with these great tips on how to stage your home.
Increase Curb Appeal
“Curb appeal” is a popular term among realtors. You’ll likely hear yours mention it when you’re looking at homes for sale in Green Bay WI. Curb appeal is the level of attraction that your property inspires in potential buyers, from the outside. If your home is appealing from the outside, people will decide that going inside to take a closer look might be worth it.
You can improve curb appeal by doing yard work like planting flowers and shrubbery, keeping your lawn mowed and manicured, power washing your fencing and siding, and washing your windows. Major projects like restaining your porch or replacing your roof may cost more to accomplish, but they’re worth it; these tend to increase the value of your home, awarding you a reasonable ROI.
Clean Your Home
And that doesn’t mean organized. From top to bottom, give your entire home a deep and thorough clean. Sweep and mop your floors, vacuum your carpets, wipe down your countertops, and dust, dust, dust. Before a viewing, there shouldn’t be a speck of dust in sight. Your home will sparkle, and the cleanliness will really impress viewers. If cleaning isn’t your forte, there’s no shame in hiring a cleaning service to get to work every other week, but it will cost you more than it would to do the work yourself.
Declutter
That’s right, after you deep clean, you have to organize too! A thorough cleaning is important, but your home will look nearly as messy as it did before you laid down the mop if every room in the house is cluttered with junk. Hoarding stuff in your home will create the illusion that the property is smaller and more cramped than it really is. One of the goals of staging is to create the illusion of space. So if you have to step over and sidle around your items just to get around, it’s time to toss them, donate them, or throw them in a storage locker.
Tone Down Your Personal Style
No one can take your personal style away from you. When you move into one of the homes for sale in Green Bay, WI, you can dress that place up in all the gothic decor, or hot pink wallpaper you want. But when you’re staging, viewers need to be able to visualize your space as their own. Of course, some people have the imagination to look past your personal tastes and see that your place has good bones. Most people, however, are not that creative. Give them a push in the right direction by dialing your style back and aiming for a more contemporary look.
Add a Few Lively Touches
You’re probably thinking, “Did you just say I should get rid of all my clutter?” Yes! However, there’s no harm in adding a few minor personal touches that will make your home feel like… well, a home. Additions like flowers in vases, fruit bowls in the kitchen, and a tasteful dining room centerpiece are just the additions you need to make your home feel inviting and lived-in. Don’t go too big on the arrangements, or the centerpiece — doing too much can make your home look too formal. Decorate with items you’d personally love to see around your home every day.
Consider Refinishing Your Floors
Flooring can make or break a property’s success on the market. If your flooring is old, stained, or damaged, it’s in your best interest to get it fixed or retouched. Installing hardwood floors may sound like an expensive idea, but you’re guaranteed a full return on investment when you sell. Don’t have the budget for a major install? Consider using area rugs to strategically cover up any rough spots.
Don’t Forget Your Closet
Remember, your visitors will want to get a good look at every square inch of your home. They’ll need to check and see whether your closet space will suffice if they decide to buy. Keep your closet open, and make it a selling point by keeping it clean and organized. Is your closet smaller than you’d like? Try creating the illusion of space by installing a simple organization system.
There you have it — a few great tips you can use to get ready for viewings! Of all the houses for sale in Green Bay and N.E. Wisconsin, yours will be the first off the market if you leverage these tips to your advantage. Have any tips to share? Let your realtor know!