The property market can be very competitive, so, when it comes to putting your home on the Isle of Wight up for sale, you’ll want to make an effort as soon as possible. That’s why many sellers are now spending time ‘staging’ their houses, which basically means ensuring they look their best.

Here’s our guide to staging your home, and how doing so could help you land a quicker sale and the best price.

Ways to stage your home

There are many different ways your home can be staged, but whichever way you choose, ‘staging’ just means showing your home in the best possible light. In some cases, it simply means decluttering and moving things around, while some people go as far as redecorating.  We can advise you on the best way to present your home.

Here are some of the steps you should go through when staging your home.

Get objective opinions about your home

Your home is your castle, and no doubt you’ve carefully chosen every aspect, from the colour of your paintwork to the carpets. However, taste is subjective, so it’s important to get some outside opinions. As estate agents we are very good at this, as we know what sells a home and what might be setting it back – don’t forget, we hear unfiltered opinions when we show people around your property.

Focus on the important rooms

You may not have the budget to stage your entire home, so focus on rooms that really matter. Our experience tells us that the living room and the kitchen are the most important rooms to stage, followed by the master bedroom, as these are usually the first photos seen within your online property listing.

When it comes to living areas, decluttering and maximising light should be a priority, ensuring they look as large as possible. However, don’t feel as though you have to remove all the personality from the room. Mirrors maximise light, and cushions and throws keep a cosy, liveable feel without cluttering. Hide away personal cosmetics in the Bathroom, and make sure you have fresh, neatly folded towels on display.  Finally, kitchens should have fresh flowers on display, and maybe a bowl of colourful fruit.

Get the right furniture for the space

The layout of your furniture is one of the key elements of staging. You want to create space, yet still keep the room looking functional. Stripping rooms of furniture can sometimes be a negative for buyers. For example, if they see a bedroom without a bed in it, they may be wondering whether their bed will fit.  A key thing to remember when arranging your furniture, is to always allow where possible, easy access to your windows and doors to enable fluidity between rooms.

Staging your home isn’t as complex as it sounds. It largely involves making your home as appealing as possible to as many buyers as possible, which in turn will help it sell faster.

Fortunately we have a lot of experience in presenting homes in the way that will command the best price and quickest sale.  For free advice please contact the team at Susan Payne Property on 01983 566244.