How to stage your house for a sale

When selling your house, it's important that you put its best face forward, and create the best impression possible. Sometimes people worry they will have to spend a fortune to make their rather humble or run-down house appear more appealing. However, there are some really simple and not-so-expensive actions you can take, that may add just enough spit and polish to lift your property into a more positive light.

The Walk-Through

Assess and plan ways to bring the best of your house to the fore

• Your first exercise would be to walk through your home as if you are a visitor. In other words, open your eyes to objective critical view. Start at the front gate and measure your reactions as each feature of your house comes into view: untidy, odd colours, cracks, or messy carpets?

• Try to look beyond the flat reality and see the potential that lies beyond. This does not mean the house requires extensive renovation, but merely removal of things that create clutter and untidiness. If a coat of paint is going to make all the difference, then begin your budget repairs with that.

• Clear entrances of old pots, especially those with dying plants drooping tiredly. Adding new, fresh plants to the front of the house can lift the look of the entrance considerably. Does your hallway or entrance area contain crowded furniture, overflowing bookcases? Clear and tidy all of this. Put unnecessary furniture in different areas - or preferably out of the way altogether, in the garage or sell it if it is truly unnecessary in your life.  

• Clean your house from top to bottom - and use this time as a clear-out exercise at the same time. Even if you can't do the landscaping for the garden that you might like, cut back bushes, replant some beds, and tidy up any old stuff lying around like wood, or an old kennel, or a broken swing. Give yourself at least a week or two to get this all done before you put the house on the market.

• Remove all personal items such as ornaments and family photos. These may be dear to you but may give visitors the impression of clutter. Check the effect of your living room - too many cushions that are worn and tatty? A few new cushions in brighter colours can instantly lift a room into more warmth and appeal.

• Pull back curtains - let in as much natural light as possible, and try to show the house at the best time of day for sunlight pouring through. Mirrors are not that expensive and can add extra light and sense of space immediately.

• Critically examine a room for a coat of fresh paint. Does it need it? Be honest - and take the advice of any decorator - use a soft neutral colour. Don't go for fashion colours - rather chose quiet dove colours or pale mushroom, cool canvas, etc. This gives a prospective buyer scope to visualise their furniture and designs in your rooms, their artwork on a smooth, complimentary palette.   

• Repeat this action for every room. Keep an eye on rugs - too worn? A couple of new scatter rugs can make the world of difference. Invest in a couple or more of soft-scented diffusers that add a delightful, relaxing bouquet throughout the house.

• A sore spot in many houses, especially where people have lived a long time, is either the bathroom or the kitchen - or both. These may present justified financial dilemma, because how do you enhance these areas without spending a lot of money? In fact, there are some simple things that can make these areas look more attractive. A clear-out never did any space any harm. So tidy up. Next consider a new coat of paint for cupboards at least, even if you don't do the walls. Replace bathroom cabinets if the mirrors are cracked, consider new countertops for the kitchen. New matching handles for drawers and cupboards are simple changes that can make a remarkable difference to the appearance of old cupboards. And new white towels in the bathroom are always effective, along with a new wash basket if needed.

• Simple, clean, tidy. This is your staging motto throughout your house, whether you have extraordinary artwork or one perfect picture in the right place, making your house show its best face is not an impossible task under any circumstances. If there are unique aspects to your home, such as a fireplace, or wooden floors, or large windows to good views, then show these features to their best advantage with good repair, light and clarity.

While it's good to show the house as a lived-in, comfortable home, you must give your prospective buyer the opportunity to see the spaces as available to their possessions and possible renovation plans. The thing to remember when staging your home for sale, is that no matter what you do, the buyer may have different ideas in mind. All you are doing when you clear the clutter and clean up, is giving visitors space to see their own interior interpretations and possible future in your house.

Leapfrog Property Group

Leapfrog Property Group offers a fresh and innovative approach to buying, selling, renting and property investments, ensuring the best property deals for clients across South Africa. Our agents are qualified, trained, experienced; our approach bold and spirited, driven by heart, generosity and honesty. It is our mission to advise,  eliminate obstacles and save you unnecessary expense. Trust is our watchword. And value our motto. Armed with our combined credentials, we are the bright face of excellence in the South African market.