There’s a reason the home remodel, re-hab and re-decorating shows on TV are abundant and popular with viewers. Everyone wants to see the AFTER pictures of the home and the transformation to a beautiful inviting space.
Take a minute and think about what makes the homes at the end of the episode look clean and inviting and apply the same tactics to your home before you put it on the market. I also recommend looking at the decor builders use to highlight their spec homes. Newly built homes are your competition so jump online and look at the pictures for ideas on how to make your home just as desirable.
Here’s how to create a calm and inviting space buyers will love without spending a ton of money.
1. Clutter
This will always be my number one tip for sellers. Eliminate the clutter. The knick nacks, stacks of magazines, papers, useless items taking up space, closets full of clothes you don’t wear, too many pictures on the wall, and personal keepsakes that don’t enhance the space. A buyer’s eye will be drawn to all the “stuff” instead of the square footage. Buyers want to feel relaxed and calm when they walk into your home, not stressed out and overwhelmed trying to envision themselves living in the space. Messy rooms are a distraction and science proves that the clutter is stressing YOU out too – and you don’t need that when trying to market and sell your home.
2. Bold Paint Colors (and/or Dirty Walls)
You have made your home the way you love it for you to enjoy and that includes choosing whatever paint color makes you happy BUT your home now needs to appeal to the masses. Color is not only subjective but there are many studies to support paint colors evoke emotion. You want to evoke an emotion of calm and contentment when buyers are walking through your home. Therefor, I recommend repainting any rooms with bold colors such as red and orange and all rooms with bright colors & bold patterns. Red was once a popular color for dining rooms but it’s been proven that emotionally, red makes people feel anxious and aggressive. EEK! Choose neutral colors that will evoke a “homey” feeling for the buyer. If the walls are dirty from hand prints and pets, it’s imperative you spruce it up with a fresh coat of paint. Perception is reality and buyers will believe your home is dirty.
3. The Home Office and/or Computer Area
Whether you have a room designated as an office area or you’re using a space in your kitchen or bedroom, hide all the personal documents and cords when preparing your home for buyers. It’s not good aesthetically and just like clutter, it’s stressful and distracting to the eye and mind. Work spaces are a want and usually a need for buyers so it’s great to show you have the space to accomodate, but buyers don’t want to see all your papers, cords, banker boxes, pencil holders, stuffed peg boards, multiple monitors, etc.
4. Update the lighting
You can’t change how the sunlight comes into the home during the day, how big your windows are to let in the natural light, or if your lot is shady, but you can change the lighting inside the home. Aesthetically, I recommend updated your lamps in general and adding more for rooms that don’t have ceiling lighting. Contemporary free standing lighting can be purchased economically at most big box stores and will update the space immediately. End tables should have lamps that are to scale with your furniture and space, and ideally be symmetrical if you are bookending sofas and beds. Replace bulbs with LED and energy-efficient lights to brighten and save you money.
All of the above can be accomplished without spending a lot of money, yet they will make a big difference in the desirability of your home. What other ways do you think you could create inviting spaces for buyers? Please share!
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist
The Tumbarello Group
Indianapolis Area Homes for Sale 