Preparing Your Home for Sale: Tips for Staging, Marketing, and Pricing Your Property

No matter how great the location or how hot the market, it is a bit reckless to say that a home or property will “sell itself.”  

True, there are some scenarios that are far more advantageous than others when it comes to selling a piece of real estate. Many homeowners in Silicon Valley know this firsthand.

However, to truly get the best ROI out of your property come closing time, it will take strategy, hard work, and execution in the days, weeks, and months leading up to listing.

To help you through this process, keep reading for 5 expert tips for staging, marketing, and pricing your property prior to sale!

Enhance the Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is one of the most important factors when preparing your home for sale. The first impression that a potential buyer has of your home is what will stick with them, so it is important to make sure your home looks its best from a streetside view.

The most straightforward way to quickly improve curb appeal is to perform basic landscaping. This can include mowing the lawn, trimming bushes and trees, and adding flower beds. Consider adding potted plants or hanging baskets near the front door to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Another way to improve curb appeal is to use a quality paint remover to strip cracked and fading paint prior to applying a fresh coat. This will help ensure that your home’s exterior looks neat, clean, and consistent. 

Installing window trim can also help improve curb appeal. This can be done by adding shutters or window boxes. Shutters can add a classic touch to your home, while window boxes can add a pop of color.

Finally, upgrading the garage door is a great way to improve curb appeal. A new garage door can make your home look more modern and inviting. Many garage door projects can take as little as half a day with professional installation. It is also proven to be one of the most value-adding renovations a homeowner can make, making it an ideal project to perform when preparing your home for sale.

Increase Natural Light Flow

Natural light is a powerful tool that can make your home feel more spacious, inviting, and warm. As such, when staging your home for sale, it’s important to leverage natural light to its fullest potential.

One of the best ways to do this is to maximize the amount of window area. This can be done by removing curtains and blinds, or by opting for lighter-weight fabrics that let more light in. You can also consider adding skylights or sun tunnels to bring more light into dark spaces. If you feel like you have too much window area that is detracting from the home’s unique character, window sill molding interior areas is a great way to add some architectural intrigue and break up the space.

In addition to maximizing window area, you can also use lighter-colored paint on the walls to reflect light and make the space feel brighter. You can also choose to stage with lighter colored furniture for the same light-reflecting effect. 

Consult With a Professional Staging Company

Partnering with a professional staging company can help you get your home ready to sell quickly and for the best possible price. Staged homes sell faster than unstaged homes, and they typically sell for more money. A professional staging company will have the experience and expertise to create a welcoming and appealing atmosphere in your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers. They will have a plethora of suggestions for staging your home, from using matching furniture to hanging acoustic wall art.

Using matching furniture is a great way to make a home look uniform and cohesive. Furniture should be in good condition and should be of a similar style. This will help create a unified look throughout the home, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

Hanging acoustic wall art is another great way to stage a home. This type of art can help to reduce noise and make a space feel more inviting. It can also help to add color and texture to a room, making it more visually appealing.

By working with a professional staging company, you can take the guesswork out of preparing your home for sale. They will handle all of the details, from choosing the right furniture and accessories to arranging them in a way that will appeal to potential buyers. You can rest assured knowing that your home is being presented in its best possible light, giving you the best chance of selling it quickly and for the best possible price.

Position Your Listing to Show Up in Searches

In today’s digital age, the vast majority of real estate searches begin online. Savvy sellers can increase the visibility of their listing and attract more potential buyers by positioning it to show up higher in search results.

One key factor in online search rankings is price. When searching for homes, buyers often use price ranges as a filter. To ensure that your listing appears in these searches, price it just under common price ranges (e.g., $499,900 instead of $500,000).

Another important factor is using the right keywords in your listing’s description. Avoid words like “quaint” and “cozy” which may evoke negative connotations. Instead, use terms such as “modern,” “spacious,” and “eco-friendly” that are more likely to appeal to today’s buyers. By following these tips and optimizing your listing for online search, you can increase its visibility and attract more potential buyers.

Be Strategic With Pricing

Pricing your home strategically does more than just help your home show up on internet searches. It is also a crucial factor in selling it quickly and for a good price.

Before setting a price, research the market thoroughly. Look at similar properties in the area, both sold and unsold, to get an idea of their listing prices and selling prices. This will help you determine a competitive price that is in line with the market.

Price your home competitively to attract multiple interested parties. When buyers see a home priced lower than similar properties in the area, they’re more likely to show interest. This can create a “herd mentality,” where multiple buyers compete for the home, driving the price up. 

In addition, it is best to avoid odd listing prices. Buyers may interpret a strangely priced home as a sign of a problem or a seller who is not serious about selling. Stick to standard pricing increments to make your home more appealing to potential buyers. For example, if comparable properties are listed for $500,000, price yours at $499,000 rather than something like $494,756.23.

Go the Extra Mile to Prepare Your Property for Sale

Although some homes are easier to sell than others, it takes intentional effort in terms of staging, marketing, and pricing to ensure that you get the best ROI possible come closing time. If you are in the Silicon Valley area and are looking for a multifamily real estate agent to provide further help during the preparation process, contact Properties in Silicon Valley today for a FREE consultation!

Author Bio:

Sam Willis is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise in residential and commercial real estate, as well as engineering and construction. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia where he enjoys spending time with his wife and researching real estate trends in his free time. Sam’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource site.