If there's one thing that home buyers hope for when they enter a home on the market, it's an interior that looks impressive. Effective home staging makes homes look good.
But buyers like a home that feels good too, a home that feels welcoming.
These simple reminders will go a long way towards staging a home that sells quickly for a price you like.
Aim to impress
First impressions never go away. Build confidence from the start by keeping your home's interior neither too hot nor too cold. Whether you are living in the house or are staging an empty property, the inside temperature needs to feel pleasant.
When it's hot outside, buyers will immediately relax when they walk into an air-conditioned home. In cold months, they want it to feel warm and cozy.
It's not just the temperature that's important. Good air quality means temperatures are consistent from room to room. If you notice that certain rooms remain chilly while others feel like a sauna, it may point to an underlying issue, like blocked vents, leaking ductwork, or a faulty blower motor.
Regular maintenance and timely repairs guarantee that your unit runs at peak efficiency. There’s no shortage of professionals ready to help you identify and fix the problem. As of 2023, there were 111,849 HVAC businesses in the U.S.
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| A spotless but staged kitchen scores points with buyers. Make sure it has good airflow to keep it smelling fresh. Photo: Centsational Style |
Check your air quality
An efficient HVAC system keeps the air in your home clean as well as comfortable. More people than ever now experience a reaction to irritants like mold, mildew, and pollutants. They could be allergic to dander or indoor plants or dust mites.
If you reduce the humidity in your home and maintain clean filters, you'll keep the people who are sensitive to these kinds of indoor allergens happy. It's easy to have a regular schedule to change air filters yourself in your home.
When your home is being shown to prospective buyers, avoid cooking especially strong-smelling foods like garlic, fish, and even vegetables like cabbage and broccoli.
Buyers don't like to see dehumidifiers and extra fans in a home because it looks like you have a problematic heating and cooling system. You should not have to use artificial fragrances to make your home smell good.
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| A working fireplace is a plus for most buyers. It should not feel drafty or smell smoky in the off-season. Photo: DecorPad |
Guarantee a quiet home
There's not much you can do about outdoor traffic sounds or loud neighbors, but you can control interior sounds. Too many hard surfaces or scant furnishings can make your home sound like a little echo chamber. Simple staging will change that!
Do you hear any noises coming from your plumbing or heating and cooling system? Prospective buyers might notice these sounds, too. A properly functioning heating and cooling system is quiet, producing a subtle hum at most. If you hear rattling, banging, or screeching sounds, something's amiss. If your system is continually cycling on and off, it's time for a check-up to see why it's not at peak efficiency.
According to This Old House, most HVAC systems can last up to 20 years with proper maintenance. Having your system routinely checked can extend its life. Those noises could indicate simple problems like a loose belt or malfunctioning blower motor.
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| Good ventilation is important in bathrooms to keep humidity and mold in check. Photo: Annie Schlechter via BGH |
Show energy-efficiency
Some sellers include a copy of their utility bill as evidence of low home maintenance costs. If you maintain your HVAC and other systems in your home that use energy, your low utility expenses can be a selling point. According to This Old House, Americans spend more than $10 billion annually in HVAC repair and maintenance services. Being proactive and taking care of these systems protects your investment, and helps you at selling time.
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| It's especially important that bedrooms feel cozy. Stage them with soft furnishings. Photo: Pure Salt Interiors |
Get the look, get the book
No matter what the season, the style of your home, your local real estate market, or your listing price, buyers have an immediate emotional response when they enter your home. Make them feel "at home" immediately. Good, safe air will make your home feel irresistible.
Learn how to quickly and economically stage your home for sale with my eBook, DIY Home Staging eTips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. Download it now and begin making your home more profitable.