Spring is the ideal time for Buyers to find their dream home, so Sellers can take advantage of this by getting their homes ready with these seasonal staging tips:
Start with a Spring Cleaning
Clean until your home sparkles – and don’t forget the windows, blinds, gutters, molding and ceiling fans! Then, turn your attention to getting rid of winter clutter – you don’t want to weigh down your house by shoving items into nearby closets – think light, airy and springlike.
Consider having a yard sale – we’ve had blogs on how best to get ready for one – or donating items that are hogging space. Potential Buyers want ample storage space and the best way for them to see that is for the closets to be relatively empty.
Buff the floors, clean the rugs & carpets and wash the walls
Winter tracks in a lot of the outside between wet boots, snow and dirt. If you can, consider steam cleaning your carpets and rugs, and buff or polish your floors to get rid of worn spots.
A bucket of warm water (7 cups) mixed with 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup white vinegar goes a long way to removing most wall marks, cleaning tough stains on grout & ceramic tiles and making bathrooms and fixtures shine.
Change out fabrics & furnishings
It’s time to bring in bright and cheery colors and get rid of warmer blankets and darker accessories – try some flower-printed pillows & throws and light spring colors – think soft yellows, light blues and greens or lilac – for towels in the bathrooms and covers & throw pillows in the bedrooms.
Pull back curtains
Everyone loves a light-filled room – change out your curtains if they’re made of dark fabric and think gauze or light cotton. If you haven’t already, clean and raise the blinds. If your house is naturally dark, then also turn on the lights before a showing.
Fresh Scents
Try a scent that brings in the smell of fresh cut flowers – or find candles/aromatherapy diffuser that bring in a light scent or one that evokes the beach.
Recreate Spring indoors
Botanical colors and prints in springlike shades give bedrooms a peaceful feel – light yellows and greens especially. White cotton accents also help bring the look together. Consider a vase of fresh cut blowers on a nightstand or table.
In the kitchen – clear the counters
A bowl of lemons or other seasonal fruit is a great way to decorate the kitchen and provide a fresh scent. Clear the clutter from your counters completely. If you don’t have any room in your cupboards or pantry consider taking items you normally have on your counters – toasters, coffee makers, etc. – with you during a showing.
Dress up your front door
Remember to take down your holiday wreath and add a spring-themed item instead. A new welcome mat will also brighten it up. An umbrella stand might also be a good addition for those spring rain storms that pop up unexpectedly.
Remember the back door
Buyers will want to check out your back yard even if nothing has started to grow there yet. A container of potted bulbs on a deck or patio to add color will help.
No time or green thumb? Relax!
If you plan to move immediately, and don’t have time to take care of the yard, consider bringing in a landscaper to keep the lawn in showing condition while your house is being listed.
