Staging your home can be a challenging process, especially when you have toddlers in the house. Ideally, your home will be in pristine condition when potential buyers tour it. However, as a parent, you understand the need to always have toys and games available for the kids. You may also have concerns about keeping your home clean if your little ones constantly make messes in various areas of the house. To make staging your home easier and help attract buyers, try these tips:
Create Hidden Storage
The house is likely filled with your children’s toys, clothes, gear, artwork, and more. Your kids will continue to need access to these items on a daily basis, but you must find a way to conceal them during showings. After all, a primary goal of staging is for buyers to see themselves living in the home rather than seeing signs of your family life all around.
Consider clearing out closets and cabinets with unnecessary items so the kids’ items can be stored in them. Use storage bins with lids, which you can easily pull out as needed. When buyers open closet or cabinet doors during a home tour, they’ll only see the neat organization of storage bins. As a side benefit, this’ll also make it easier for you to move out of the home.
Redecorate
Your kids’ rooms may be painted pink, blue or other bold colors. These may be cute for your kids, but they’re often undesirable for most buyers. Buyers will see these walls as a to-do project, and they may even have trouble envisioning their family living in the space. It’s best to repaint these rooms a neutral shade before you list the home.
You should also focus on the playroom. Store away most or all toys, and bring a couch, TV or other items into the room to make it a less age-specific space. This can broaden the appeal of your home.
Establish a Routine
Some sellers can easily run out the door at a moment’s notice when an interested buyer wishes to tour the home. In most cases, these are single adults or couples who don’t have kids and who are able to keep their home perfectly clean on a regular basis when listing their home. As a parent with young kids in the house, you may need to sweep, mop and vacuum before a tour.
You may also need to put toys back in their storage bins, ensure there are no messes in the bathroom, wipe down the counters, empty dirty diapers from the diaper pail, and more. Create a checklist of what you need to do before each home tour. In addition, tell your agent you need a notice of at least two hours before a tour to ensure your home is ready to show.
Staging is an effective way to attract a buyer for your home. These simple tips can make the sales process much easier for you and your family.
Source: Mikkie Mills/RISMedia’s Housecall
