Staging a Home for Sale in Virginia Tips & Guidelines

a big beautiful home with a green couch and flower arrangements

Almost everyone can benefit from staging a home for sale. Your house is a representation of you and you should decorate it to fit your tastes, except when comes to selling! When you are selling it is time to put away those cute naked baby photos and your favorite crazy-colored pillows.

When staging your house for sale you want it to be clean, spacious, and smelling wonderful! This can be much easier said than done, let us help you transform your home to be “show ready” in no time.

It is a fact that almost all staged homes sell faster. And if you follow this carefully curated guide on staging your house to sell, it will be off the market before you know it!

a big beautiful living room that is perfectly staged to sell

Staging a Home For Sale Room by Room

Tips for Staging a Home for Quick Sale: Condos, Old & Empty Homes

Staging House for Sale Photos Listing Shoot

If you are selling your home in Virginia and work with The Hawkins Group, we will always schedule a photo shoot for your home. And this is one of the most important times for house staging. In today’s digital marketing world, your listing photos are going to be what attracts the customers first.

For this day need to have your home free of clutter and remove any over-personal items. Check and make sure your light bulbs are working and that your home’s best highlights will be noticed in the photos.

Be sure to do these things for your listing photo shoot:

  • Keep Fans Clean & Off
  • Clean all surfaces and declutter personal items
  • Open Window Blinds Evenly
  • Shut all toilet lids and close the shower curtain (unless you have an amazing shower)
  • Turn on all the lights. (Yes all of them, let your photographer decide if they want them off).
  • Keep your pups and other animals outside, or better yet take them to a friend’s home if you can.
  • Arrange the furniture for Optimal space
  • Add final touches, colorful flowers are always a nice touch
  • Clean up outside. ie. cut the grass, add new mulch, trim loose tree branches, add colorful flowers, and anything you can think of to help your curb appeal.

Tips for staging a living room for sale

The living room is one of the most important rooms in the house when staging to sell. In most homes in Virginia, the living room is the first room you walk into, and everyone knows that first impressions last a lifetime.

First things first you will want to clean and declutter everything that does not have to be in the room. You can rearrange your furniture to create more space and give the room a lighter feel. Think of putting your couches in a conversational arrangement with them facing each other. This gives off a cozy and inviting vibe.

Do not block any natural light sources. If possible, natural light is one of the top things new buyers look for. Add neutral pallets around like throw pillows, soft blankets, or even a stylish area rug. And always clean the floors. If you have to leave personal items in the living room when staging a house for sale, be sure to arrange them in a neat and orderly fashion.

It’s important to learn about staging a bathroom for sale

When it comes to selling your home in Virginia, staging your bathroom to sell can be just as important as staging your living room. A clean, organized, and inviting bathroom can make a big impression and help you sell your home quickly and at a favorable price.

First and foremost, cleanliness is key. Clean the sink, toilet, tub or shower, and all surfaces thoroughly. Pay close attention to details like grout lines, faucets, and mirrors. As they can easily accumulate dirt and affect the overall impression of your bathroom. 

You will also want to remove any unnecessary items from the countertops, shower, and tub area. Keep your cabinets and drawers clean and organized. A pro tip is to consider using baskets or trays to keep items neatly arranged. If your bathroom has any unique features, such as a spa tub or a large mirror, make sure to highlight them. And always, always keep the toilets shut during a showing.

By doing these simple steps you can create a clean, organized, and inviting bathroom that leaves a positive impression on potential buyers!

Staging a Kitchen to Sell

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. So when styling your home for sale the Kitchen is very important. Like every other room in the home, you will want to declutter and depersonalize.

Ensure that your kitchen is spotless and free of any dirt, grease, or clutter. Clean all countertops, appliances, cabinets, and floors thoroughly. Pay close attention to details like the stovetop, inside the oven, and sink. As they can easily accumulate grime that is hard to notice if you are looking every day.

After you are done cleaning and decluttering you may want to consider adding some fresh and inviting elements to enhance the appeal of your kitchen. Some of the easiest ways are to add a bowl of fresh fruits, a vase of flowers, or a stylish cutting board. These items can add a touch of warmth and homeliness to your kitchen. 

Potential buyers value ample storage options in a kitchen. Keep your cabinets and drawers clean and organized, and consider using organizers or dividers to keep items neatly arranged, this is a small expense when staging a house to sell, and that can make a big difference.

 Avoid overcrowding the cabinets, as it can create a sense of clutter and a lack of storage space. These simple steps will help when it comes to staging your home to sell in Virginia.

Staging a Bedroom to Sell

When staging a bedroom for an open house you will want to choose neutral or soft colors for your bedding. And make sure that it is freshly washed and smells amazing. You can also consider adding a few decorative pillows or a throw blanket to add a touch of luxury and warmth to the bed.

But, avoid overcrowding the room with too much furniture. This can make the space feel cramped and smaller than it is. A well-dressed bed can instantly elevate the overall appearance of your bedroom and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

Your bedroom should be well-lit to create a bright and welcoming vibe. Check that all light fixtures are working, and consider adding new table lamps or wall sconces if it seems too dark. If you have windows make sure the curtains are open to let in natural light.

Lastly, create a sense of relaxation by adding some subtle scents to the bedroom. Consider using a lightly scented candle or a room diffuser with a calming aroma, such as lavender or vanilla. This will create a pleasant smell throughout the bedroom.

how to Bring Life to an Empty Home By staging a Home for sale

When staging an empty house to sell, one of the best things you can do is hire a professional stager. They can help you define the purpose of each room. For example, in the living room, placing a sofa, coffee table, or even a couple of chairs will help define the area.

In the bedroom, add a bed (it can be a blow-up), nightstands, and a dresser to showcase the room’s purpose. The bathroom can easily be staged with just a rug and shower curtain.

If you cannot afford to hire a stager another way to go is virtual staging. This is a wonderful way for potential buyers to see how the rooms would look with modern furniture. We can help with staging your home for sale, or set you up with a virtual staging company to take over.

Staging a Condo for Sale

One of the most important parts of staging a condo for sale is to emphasize functionality. With limited space in most condos, it’s crucial to highlight the functionality of each room.

Condo living often appeals to young professionals or those seeking a modern, low-maintenance lifestyle. So you will want to keep the staging for sale with a style modern and streamlined to cater to the target market. Choose furniture, accessories, and décor that are contemporary and on-trend.

If your condo comes with the amenities and communal spaces that the condo complex offers, be sure to tell highlight them on the listing photos and tell everyone that comes to view the space. This can include things such as a gym, pool, yard maintenance, or fancy rooftop terrace.

Emphasize the convenience and ease of condo living as a selling point. By following these expert tips, you can stage a condo for sale in Virginia to maximize its selling potential and attract potential buyers.

Staging an Older Home for Sale

The best thing you can do when staging a property for sale that is older is to embrace the charm! Older Virginia homes often have unique architectural features, such as crown moldings, real hardwood floors, and original fireplaces, that can be a big selling point to buyers.

As always the best way to stage a house for sale is to neutralize and modernize. And while the historic charm of an older home is appealing, it’s important to balance it with modern updates. You can do this by neutralizing the color palette by painting walls and updating fixtures to create a fresh and clean look.

Older homes may have unique features that can be repurposed or showcased as selling points. For example, if the home has a spacious attic, consider staging it as a cozy reading nook or a home office. If there’s a sunroom, stage it as a relaxation or entertainment area. Highlight the potential uses of different spaces to help potential buyers see the versatility and value of the home.

Conclusion

Now that you have read through the staging a home for sale guideline are you ready to get to work? Please reach out at any time to someone at the Hawkins Group if you have any questions or need help staging a home for sale, we would love to hear from you!

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