8 Do’s and Don’ts When Staging Your North Dallas Home

When you're selling your North Dallas home, it's important to present your home in its very best light. That means creating a space that potential buyers can envision themselves living in. To that end, read on for four do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when staging your home.

The absolute top tip when staging North Dallas homes for sale is to remove clutter. This means making sure cabinets and shelves aren’t overstuffed or crowded;  you want things to look balanced and spacious. Clutter can also include items like personal photos and mementos. You want potential buyers to be able to see themselves in your home, and that's hard to do if every surface is covered in your family's memories. As part of the decluttering process, you should also deep clean each room as soon as you finish removing items that will not remain on display during showings. As amazing as excessive decor can be, buyers can get distracted and miss out on the best features of your home. Think, simple. Classy. Minimalist. Like a model home.

When buyers of North Dallas real estate are viewing your property, do your front yard and entryway provide a good impression? Make sure your lawn is free of weeds and overgrown grass. Your garden and yard should be well-manicured. The front porch should be clear of any cobwebs, debris, or yard decor, and the door should look fresh and welcoming. A good dusting, a coat of paint, a new wreath, and bright lighting can make your front door shine. If you have a back patio or other outdoor entertainment areas, make sure they’re equally clean and inviting.

One of the best ways to create an open and inviting space is to rearrange the furniture. This may seem daunting, but it can be surprisingly effective in making a room feel new. When you're staging your home, take a look at each room and ask yourself if the furniture is arranged in the most flattering way. Often, a few small changes can make a big difference. For example, you might move a couch away from the wall to create a more intimate seating area. Or, you might shift a dining room table so that it's closer to the kitchen for easier serving. Maybe you just need to remove one or two pieces of furniture that don't seem to fit the room's aesthetic. You could also replace oversized furniture with pieces that better fit the space.

Another major must-do for staging is to update your home decor. This includes repainting to replace heavy and bold color choices with a more neutral palette. You should also replace wall hangings and other photos with less personalized artwork, such as landscape paintings or photographs of famous cities or landmarks. Bring in plants, or arrange your existing plants in a way that makes the room feel fresh without looking like an indoor jungle. These choices will help create a more calming atmosphere in your home.

While it may be tempting to save money by doing the work yourself, staging North Dallas homes for sale often can be an overwhelming task, especially when you’re trying to also pack up your things, scout for a new property, and juggle everyday responsibilities at the same time. This is particularly true if you don't have experience in home staging. If you make a mistake, it could end up costing you more to fix than if you had just hired a professional in the first place. Research has shown that professionally staged homes are more quickly sold and for more money than non-staged homes!

When you’re staging your home for sale, you may find yourself feeling nostalgic about the years you've spent there. Maybe you raised your children in this house, or maybe it was your first home. It's perfectly normal to have these feelings, but it's important not to let them cloud your judgment when it comes to making decisions about what should stay and what should go. Remember: You're trying to appeal to buyers, not yourself! We stage a home differently than we live. This is why it's so important to work with a professional home stager who can help you see your home through the eyes of a buyer. You can always enjoy your more personal items again when you get to your new home.

Home buying is already stressful without having to worry about repairs that must be made before listing your home for sale. Before you put your home on the market, take care of necessary repairs that could turn off prospective buyers. Do your research and find out what buyers in your area are looking for, and make sure your home meets those standards. If you're not sure where to start, consider hiring a home inspector to give you an idea of what needs to be fixed.

When you're preparing your home for sale, don’t overlook the little details. These are often the things that buyers will notice, even if they don't realize it. For example, make sure all of your light fixtures have bulbs that match and that they're the appropriate wattage, hue and color, warm or cool. Consider replacing any old or outdated hardware, such as doorknobs and cabinet pulls. If your carpet is looking worn, consider having it professionally cleaned, or even replaced. These are just a few of the small details that can make a big difference in how buyers perceive your North Dallas real estate!

Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of staging your home for sale, it’s time to get to work. Remember that the goal is to make your home as appealing as possible to potential buyers, so they can see themselves living in it. If you need help getting started or want a recommendation on whom to hire to take care of all the details for you, reach out to The Bracchi Group. Valerie and her team will be happy to assist you in finding or selling your dream home. Contact The Bracchi Group today.