You may have an empty rent house, leased house or inherited house that you need to sell fast. Staging is a well-respected technique in the real estate market for creating the look and feel of a home that makes the potential buyer think they too could live like that in the space. With staging an empty house you may be working without existing furnishings or basic items most people would find in a home. So the key is to make the vacant house seem lived in and appealing to the buyer.
Psychology is at play here, as you don’t want the house to seem impersonal or cold. Instead you need to create a vibe that makes potential buyers feel comfortable and helps them feel that your house can be their home. People all have different styles and tastes in décor, but by creating a welcoming feel most can imagine their own things in the space without too much difficulty.
Things to Do Before Staging a Vacant House
One of the first tips is to clean the house thoroughly. If you’ve had tenants, inherited a house from someone who passed, or had an empty house, there are likely smells that may be unpleasant to prospective families. Removing anything offensive is a great way to answer the question of “How do I sell my house fast?” because a new home should be clean, smell good and be shiny and new even if it is an older home in the eyes of the buyer.
Pay attention to the little things. You want to polish kitchen faucets and cabinet knobs, oil cabinetry, and wash the windows. Clean, dust free window coverings and sparkling windows really do matter. Make sure the walls are washed. Consider sprucing up the walls with some paint, and hide any stains or dings with well-placed accessories if you don’t have them repaired. Splurge on a new welcome mat and wash the front door too, both inside and out. Also be sure to replace any burnt out bulbs and use daylight bulbs to bring in more light.
Focus on Furniture
Knick knacks can turn off a buyer. However, furniture that fits a room and makes it welcoming always increases perceived value. For bedrooms, a queen bed with side tables and possibly a chest of drawers is enough. You want the room to appear open but functional. You also do not have to stage every bedroom. In fact, leaving one smaller bedroom without staging allows the realtor to sell it as a nursery, playroom or office space depending on the potential buyers needs.
Living rooms need a couch, side tables, loveseat and chair if space is ample. Avoid bulky items like a long sectional couch unless it completely makes the space. You want the buyer to be able to imagine their furniture in the space, and their décor styles accenting it, so choose simple, clean lines without restrictive patterns.
In the kitchen or dining room a spacious table that seats at least six is welcoming but not overbearing. Use clean, comfortable lines that match cabinetry or provide a stark contrast depending on the other features in the room. You are looking to create cohesion not conflict.
Make Accessories Count
When it comes to accessorizing, less is more. Fluffy towels in the bath and a couple of throw pillows on the couch are sufficient. Consider matched potholders, mitts and kitchen towels or decorative vases filled with silk flowers. Avoid real florals so there are no potential allergens to turn buyers off indoors. Remember, staging is about creating the illusion so the buyer can place themselves in the home.