4 Tips on Staging Your Open House

Ahh, open houses, the bread and butter of real estate agents. “Open houses are a classic and delicate way to present your house to prospective homebuyers. And if you want to sell your home quickly, your home must make an unforgettable impression.”

So, Alex, how does one go about staging an open house? From a real estate professional’s perspective, staging an open house requires simple yet detailed cues. A realtor friend of mine advised us, “to start with the simplest space.”

“Homebuyers are anxious and riddled with multiple thoughts. You don’t want to overwhelm them with hordes of objects and space. Starting simple yet smart is the right way to go and works well for my clients.”

1. Focus on the Important Rooms

Jon believes that “when staging an open house, all rooms do not need the same level of attention.” A rule of thumb is to pay more attention to the rooms that could influence the decision of the prospective buyers.

For instance, the most frequently used rooms in the property, such as the master bedroom, living room, kitchen, and dining space, should be emphasized. Another trick of the trade is to highlight the rooms with any special features, such as views or large windows.

2. Declutter and Simplify

It is essential to declutter. Less is more, and I couldn’t agree more. During an open house, prospective homebuyers try to envision their lives in the house. It is advisable to remove all private and unnecessary objects during the open house.

Remember, your open house viewers are looking to buy space, and clutter takes up that space! It’s also an eyesore and makes a home look smaller than it actually is. A clutter-free home will help your space feel open. It will also appeal to potential buyers and make relocating easier.

3. Clean & Repair

Another essential preparation before hosting an open house is to clean the property fully and complete any significant repairs.

This could include:

• Cleaning the blinds and curtains.
• Touch up the scuffs on the walls.
• Repair broken kitchen handles and cupboard doors.

A clean property is more attractive to buyers. One of our clients informed us that “at the last open house, I ventured into a pristine and clean property. The house was gleaming, and I could appreciate the efforts that had gone into the maintenance. I submitted an offer by the end of the day.”

4. Go Neutral & Bright

Make your house as neutral as possible. Some bold colors are suitable, but generally, you should consider pastels for staging an open house. Real Homes advises that “natural light is one of the most important selling points of your home (especially the kitchen).”

Summary

We have worked with Stacy (professional home stager) for over 10 years. Her art with staging an open house starts right when we flip the home. Our strategy has been to involve her from the beginning in the process so that the renovations and design work hand in hand.

Stacy advises that “staging requires understanding the physique of the property and the psyche of the average homebuyer. A lot of research goes into staging an open house if you have a target audience.”

These tips could make staging your open house easier and more welcoming for the prospective buyers.