It’s Spring, and a homeowner’s thoughts turn to sprucing up one’s abode, whether selling or not! Following is a guest post with home sellers’ staging advice from another Suzie (Wilson) based on her new book The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House

Curb Appeal is Important
Great staging is the key to a successful open house. And there are two main objectives when making preparations.
First, you want potential buyers to be able to picture themselves living in your home.
Second, your home must be as move-in ready as possible. These two ideas lay the foundation for your home-staging strategies!
The following five simple steps can help shine the best light possible on your property:
- Neutralize your palette. Many homeowners enjoy expressing themselves with paint colors, but if your walls are bold and colorful, it can be a detriment to your sale. Potential buyers may have trouble overlooking the colors, or it may mean needing to paint before being able to match the rooms with their personal decor. Give your walls a fresh coat of paint in light, neutral tones. A few pops of color with accents are fine, but keep room walls neutral.
- Updates and repairs. We can’t say it enough: Buyers prefer homes that are move-in ready. Put fresh caulking around windows and doors, resurface driveways, replace your aging roof, install new door knobs, and fix that leaking faucet. Some experts recommend making updates as part of your home sale preparations as well. For instance, popcorn ceilings are out of fashion and should be removed. Refinished kitchen cabinets can make a positive impact on buyers, as well as new carpeting. If you have hardwood floors, show them off, but refinish them first if necessary.
- Clean up. Your home should be spotless for your open house event; you want to present your home looking new and move-in ready! Clean every little thing to help sell your home, including your baseboards, ceiling fans, faucets, closet floors, and even that nook behind the toilet you don’t think anyone will see. Dirt and stains give an impression of neglect. If you can’t get carpets shampooed well enough to lift stains, investing in new carpeting is a worthwhile consideration.
- Simplify your space. Your home can feel cramped and cluttered with too many items in it, and home shoppers will need to overlook your belongings to envision themselves in the rooms. As the Daily Record explains, you want an atmosphere that puts buyers at ease and allows them to focus on the surroundings. Remove your knicknacks, personal photos, and your child’s refrigerator art. Unusual family heirlooms and other items that show off your personality should be stowed away until you’re into your next home. Also store any items that are particularly religious or political; items that may offend some buyers’ sensibilities aren’t appropriate for your event. Rearrange furniture to open the space in rooms and to allow a logical traffic pattern.
- Curb appeal. Last but far from least, create great curb appeal for your open house. You want your home to look inviting and well-kept. This Old House notes your front door is your home’s “ambassador,” so it’s a key to enhanced curb appeal. Repair any wear and tear and give it a spruce up with fresh paint. If the hardware is tired looking, replace it. Clean your siding and paint any weary trim and shutters. Make sure your deck and patio are clean and newly painted or stained. Update your landscaping, removing any overgrown shrubbery and planting flowers for your event. Manicure your lawn and ensure pathways are tidy.
Your home is a big investment, and in the real estate market, it’s vital to gain every edge in selling it that you possibly can. Great home staging can help sell a home faster and get top dollar in the sale. Putting a little time, energy, and even money into staging your home well can bring you success!
Suzie Wilson is an interior designer with more than 20 years experience. What started as a hobby (and often, a favor to friends) turned into a passion for creating soothing spaces in homes of every size and style. The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House is filled with tips, tricks and other advice based on Suzie’s years of experience in interior home design that will set you up for success.
For more information about any Lake Oconee Homes for Sale, call Suzie Hudson (706-347-1115) or Jim Hudson (706-453-6253) Before 2018 is over, enjoy owning a home or lot at Lake Oconee!
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