According to the National Association of Realtors, a home that is staged will not only sell quicker, but will also sell for close to the asking price or above. As the red-hot market in South Carolina rages on, now is the perfect time to list. Instead of worrying about purchasing new furniture and decor, consider staging your home. But not just any staging will help – it is important to follow these dos and don’ts to get the most out of your home staging!

Top Six Dos and Don’ts

Do Focus on Curb Appeal

Although people often think that staging begins inside the front door, it really starts from the curb. Many potential homebuyers gain their first impression upon driving up. If you want their impression to be favorable from the start, then don’t neglect the landscaping and front entryway of your home when staging. Planting annuals, sprucing things up, and changing out your mulch and bedding is important to set the “stage” for your home staging.

Do Declutter and Go Neutral

Along with adding furnishings and decor, it is important to focus on the entire picture – which means decluttering and using neutral tones. Homebuyers need to see your home as a canvas where they can put their own belongings. If you have too much “noise,” they have a hard time envisioning themselves living in the space. Pack up your knick-knacks, add a splash of color for a focal point, and keep the rest as neutral as possible. Crisp, clean, and decluttered will make all the difference.

Do Add a Coat of Paint

You might be able to gloss over the little imperfections around your home, but a homebuyer will not. Painting is a must to spruce up any space, and it will make a significant difference in how well your home shows. Also consider making things more comfortable and “homey” by adding things like pillows, window treatments, and area rugs. A homebuyer should want to get cozy and create memories in the space, so set a stage that will allow them to see themselves in your home.

Do Deep Clean

One of the most critical things when listing and staging your home is doing a deep clean. Cleaning from head to toe is a must. Get all those hard-to-reach places that you think no one will look at – because they will. Homebuyers aren’t above opening cabinets, looking behind doors, and examining the grout of your shower or bathtub. It is important to go through your home with a fine-toothed comb and get to it all. Staging is the icing on a fresh and clean home!

Don’t Invest in Major Renovations

Although it can be difficult to decide what you should invest in, major renovations are rarely worth the cost and the time that they take when it comes to selling your home. You don’t have to redo your dining room; just have a stager put in some eye-catching and trendy decor and make minor changes to make your home look more appealing.

Don’t Leave Anything Broken

As homeowners walk through, they make a mental note of how well you maintain your home. If you have things that are broken, like doorknobs or a sconce, replace or repair them. The small cost that it takes to fix things is well worth it to make a good impression. Staging a home is very helpful, but it can’t do it all.

If you are ready to sell your home, you have two choices: you can shell out money to buy new furnishings and decor, or you can hire our company to make every inch of your home look fresh, trendy, and inviting. Our mission at Lowcountry Staging Specialists is to take the guesswork and expense out of getting your home ready to stage. We not only have a vast inventory of furniture to make your home look spectacular; we can also help by providing the right advice to save you money and to get your home sold fast. Contact us today to start the process.