Setting the stage for success

They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but that’s precisely what potential buyers will do the moment they walk into your house. After a quick once over they’ll either fall in love or feign interest for five minutes and make a polite exit.

So now we’ve established just how crucial first impressions are – how do you go about making sure your home is a winner from the get go?

The answer lies in staging your home. While there are professionals who will give your house a full-on facelift, it’s the kind of thing you can do yourself – you just need a little guidance. That’s where we come in – we’ve got some simple staging tips that’ll work wonders.

A Sexy Exterior

You’d be surprised how many would-be buyers will drive past your property before deciding if they’re keen. So it’s imperative that your staging starts from the front. Mow the lawn, wash the driveway, buy a new welcome mat, hang some shiny house numbers – whatever it takes to impress from the outset.

Clean, Clean, Clean

While staging generally refers to styling your house, there’s no denying the importance of a good, old fashioned clean. To get your house in tip-top selling shape, it needs to be scrubbed clean – from top to bottom. Once your house is sparking, it makes the rest of the staging process easy – a clean foundation is the key to a smooth transaction.

Eliminate Clutter

Once the house is clean, the next battle you face is clearing out the clutter. You need to be a little ruthless here and really consider what’s taking up necessary space. It’ll also make buyers feel uncomfortable if they can sense your stuff is everywhere.

Prioritise Personal Touches

There’s a fine line between charming buyers with hints of “you” and driving them away with personal touches. Staging is all about selling a new home to a new owner – they need to imagine their lives in your home. So family photos, beloved heirlooms, your children’s beautiful drawings – they’ve got to go!

That’s not to say that you can’t give the house a sense of homeliness. 

Freshly cut flowers, the grandparents’ old record player – these are the kind of touches that will make your home memorable – for all the right reasons.

Hire Artwork

When it comes to selling a house, it’s nice to have a little artwork hanging on the walls. Now no one expects your home to be decked out like the Louvre, but a few carefully selected pieces will pull buyers in and add a new dimension to a room. Hiring artworks is easy to do online and most suppliers will come and install the works too.

Freshen Up Your Furniture

If your lounge is looking a little tired but replacing isn’t an option, opt for reupholstering. On a more base level, sometimes simply shifting the dynamic of your furniture may freshen up a room.

Nothing but Neutral

Whether you’re painting, decorating or simply buying a throw rug, opt for neutral colours when staging. Have you heard about the new colour greige? It’s a combination of beige and grey – who knew! – and this is the vibe you should be after. These tones are both inoffensive and complimentary to most houses, ensuring your home is welcoming without being overbearing.

Convert Unused Spaces

That space where you put the boys footy gear? Use it. The sideboard that doubles as a dirty clothes pile. Use it! Part of the staging process is converting unused spaces into selling points – the more you can show, the more likely they are to buy!

The Great Outdoors

The outside of the house is just as important as the inside of the house when it comes to staging. If you’ve got a generous backyard, hire outdoor furniture to fill the space and highlight what a great entertaining area it can be. Meanwhile if you’re working with a small area – think smart. Dress it up with a cafe-style round table and chairs, help buyers see the potential, not the pitfalls.

Looking for your next investment property to stage? Browse through the properties available.