Ask Cyberhomes: I am interesting in staging my home to help sell it, but don't want to pay for a home stager. What changes can I make to my house to increase my odds of selling?
Answer: Think about what you want in a home. Undoubtedly, like most buyers, you'd prefer a house that's clean, up-to-date and uncluttered -- much like a model home -- not one that's filled with someone else's hand-me-downs and clutter. To make your house most appealing to potential buyers, you should:
1. Clear out the clutter. "Visible clutter eats up square footage," says Cindy Lin, owner of Staged4More in San Francisco. Rid counters and floors of papers and items that don't belong there, and keep only a few decorative items out for visual interest. A room that has less things in it will appear much larger than one that's filled with unnecessary stuff.
2. Clean and scrub. Buyers don't want to tidy up after you before they can move in. Remove dirt, dust and grime -- and have your carpets professionally cleaned and your home's exterior power washed if necessary.
3. Empty closets -- Closets that are stuffed to the brim will seem small and cramped to house hunters. Remove 40 percent to 60 percent of what's in your closets and store it elsewhere, suggests Lin. Stack or hang what remains in your closet neatly.
4. Neutralize. Dark red dining room walls may be en vogue, but not every buyer will appreciate them. Tone down any bright wall colors with neutral ones like off-white, earth-color or sage hues. Also, replace family photos and personal items with artwork and items that have a general appeal -- much like the ones you'd see in a tasteful hotel -- so your residence could suit anybody.
5. Give your rooms purpose. Revert that junk-filled storage space into a bedroom or an office, or create a place for conversation in the living room by placing two small couches across from each other. If buyers can immediately see what use the room serves (as an office, craft room, baby nursery, etc.), they will value the space more.
If your home doesn't look significantly more appealing after these steps, think about consulting with a home stager. Consultations cost considerably less than full home-staging services, says Lin. For example, in the San Francisco Bay Area, a staging consultation may cost $100 to $350, according to home size, while a full home staging may exceed $1,500, she says. But many home stagers offer free estimates, she adds." —Lauren Baier Kim