Many homebuyers begin their house shopping experience online. They scroll through multiple listings and view photos online before considering going to see the house in person. It’s no wonder that a 2018 HSR Survey of 4,200 homes found that 85% of staged homes sold for 6% to 25% more than houses that were not staged.  Here are some tips to help you stage your home to sell.

While you may not want to hire a professional to stage your home, there are a few things you can do to make your home more attractive to homebuyers.

1. Declutter

The first thing that people notice is how neat or organized your home is. If you have clothes and trash lying around, homebuyers are not going to notice the shiny new appliances that you just installed. Pay close attention to your closets and pantry because people will walk around and take a peek.

If necessary, move some of your possessions into a storage unit. Your home will seem bigger, and it will make for fewer distractions.

2. More Lighting

One of the easiest things to do to make your home seem bigger and airier is by increasing the amount of light in each room. Clean your windows, open the blinds and turn on all the lights before taking pictures or doing any house showings.

3. Rearrange Your Furniture

Group your furniture so that they create a conversational space. Don’t push all of the furniture against the wall. Instead, carefully positioned floating chairs and couches can open up the room, make it seem larger, more user-friendly, as well as manage foot traffic.

4. Set the Table

Staging your home is about helping the buyer visualize living there. So, set the table for a dinner party.

5. Keep it Neutral

Bold paint colors only appeal to certain tastes. Instead, opt for neutral colors so that homebuyers are not overwhelmed by your style choices.

6. Fresh Flowers

Professionally staged homes usually have fresh flowers scattered throughout the house. Plants and flowers can make a living space feel friendly and more welcoming.

7. Depersonalize

While baby photos and family portraits may be valuable to you, potential homebuyers may not feel the same way. Take down your pictures and put up some artwork instead.

Similarly, you’ll want to clear out your old toothbrush and mouthwash from the bathroom. Feel free to keep some candles, hand soap, and lotion in matching accessorized containers to give the bathroom a spa-like feel.

8. Fluffy Towels

Continuing with the theme of a spa-like bathroom, clean fluffy towels add a sense of luxury to a bathroom. They should be matching and folded or rolled up neatly.