For many years Honolul agents and others in the business have understood the importance of presentation in the sale of a home in Hawaii. How a home looks to potential buyers can have a huge impact on everything from the time it spends on the market to the final sale price. Taking a few simple steps to stage a home property can pay big dividends for home sellers.
Staging is important even for owners of modest homes. Unfortunately many homeowners incorrectly assume that staging a home is something a professional has to do, or that staging would be prohibitively expensive. Actually nothing could be further from the truth. While the sale of a multi million dollar mansion or showcase home may require a professional touch, there is no reason why the average homeowner cannot beautifully stage his or her own home. The keys to proper staging are preparation, planning and knowledge.
One of the most important parts of staging a home is to make it feel warm, welcoming and spacious. A home with lots of space and lots of charm will typically spend less time on the market than a less attractive property. Simple things like making sure all the windows are clean and well polished, making sure all trash is stored out of sight and freeing the home of clutter can go a long way. It is not necessary to spend lots of money in order to make the home look its best.
Sometimes something as simple as opening the windows and letting the cool breeze in can do wonders Not only will the fresh air make the house seem more homey, it will also help to mask any lingering pet or smoke odors that may be present. Opening the windows will also let in the maximum amount of light, making the home look bright and cheerful.
Light is definitely your friend when it comes to staging a home successfully. Dim light can make even the largest room look dingy and small. Be sure to turn on the lights and make sure that there is sufficient light. Dark colored rooms may benefit from a strategically placed floor lamp or two. If the room still looks dark and dingy even with additional lighting it may be a good idea to repaint it in a lighter color.
After the home itself has been spruced up and is looking its best it is time to focus on the ambiance you will create for all those potential buyers. Simple things like adding a few vases of fresh flowers can brighten up the home and make it look warm and cozy. Homeowners may want to consider starting a weekly flower delivery once the house goes on the market. A cost effective alternative to the florist is to grow your own flowers and bring fresh cuttings in from the garden. An additional benefit of this approach is that those flowers will look wonderful in the landscape as potential buyers drive by.
Some people also like to provide some sort of background music during the showings. Music can be helpful, particularly if the neighborhood is prone to traffic noise or noisy neighbors. When choosing music is sure to keep it simple with calm soothing music played at a low volume. All other televisions and radios in the home should be turned off to avoid possible distractions.
There is no one magic staging formula that will work in every situation, but most homeowners should be able to use a variation of these simple steps to put their homes in the best possible light. When it comes to staging a home for a quick sale keep in mind that first impressions count. If the would be buyer likes what he or she sees when approaching the home, chances are that first impression will be a good one. Maintain that great first impression with a beautifully staged home and you may be pleasantly surprised at how quickly the home sells
