Selling a home requires a bit of work on your part – and one of the most important things you can do is stage your kitchen. Check out these seven kitchen staging tips to get started.
7 Staging Tips That Can Make Your Kitchen Irresistible to Buyers
When you’re selling a home in Macomb County, your real estate agent will most likely talk to you about home staging – the act of making your home is appealing as possible to prospective buyers. One of the most important rooms to stage is the kitchen, so check out these seven staging tips that can make the space irresistible to buyers:
- Declutter
- Clear the counters
- Update the lighting
- Upgrade your appliances
- Scour the stove (and everything else)
- Bring in colorful accents
- Bake cookies (or something similar)
Scroll down to learn more.
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Kitchen Staging Tip #1: Declutter
Buyers can, and will, open your cupboards, pantry and drawers. That means you should declutter the entire kitchen before you even list your home for sale. If you haven’t used something in six months or more, it’s time to put it in storage until you move into your new home. That goes for items in your cabinets and drawers, as well as your pantry and on your countertop.
While you’re at it, clean out and organize your pantry and cupboards. The idea is to showcase just how much room there is inside, so by removing items and organizing, buyers will be able to envision themselves having plenty of space for everything they use in the kitchen.
Kitchen Staging Tip #2: Clear the Counters
Your countertops should be completely clear before buyers come to tour your home. Put away the toaster, blender and any other mobile appliances, and make sure there are no piles of mail, keys or anything else cluttering up the surface. (There Are some exceptions, though. See tip #6 below for more information.)
Related: Home-selling 101
Kitchen Staging Tip #3: Update the Lighting
Buyers like to see bright, well-lit kitchens, so if your lighting scheme leaves a bit to be desired, it’s time for an update. Many kitchens are lacking in natural light, so you should also make sure that you have modern window treatments that let in as much as possible.
Kitchen Staging Tip #4: Upgrade Your Appliances
If your kitchen appliances have seen better days, or if they’re not energy efficient, it may be time to consider making a few upgrades. However, if that’s not in the budget, don’t worry – this is something you should talk to your real estate agent about anyway. In some cases, it’s enough to reface your appliances and make them appear more modern, Particularly if they’re already working very well.
Kitchen Staging Tip #5: Scour the Stove (and Everything Else)
You should scrub everything in your kitchen from top to bottom. when you’re selling a home, it’s not just about features. It’s also about the lifestyle that buyers want. If you can keep your kitchen spotlessly clean, buyers will likely feel as if they have a shot at doing so too.
Related: 10 things to do now if you’re thinking of selling your home
Kitchen Staging Tip #6: Bring in Colorful Accents
Colorful accents can make a huge difference in your kitchen. Consider adding a vase of fresh flowers or a live plant to your kitchen counter, or think about propping a specialty cookbook on a stand near your stove. Careful, though: You should keep your counters as clear as possible (accents aside) so buyers can see just how much space they’ll have available.
Kitchen Staging Tip #7: Bake Cookies (or Something Else)
Nothing makes a space feel like home quite like the smell of freshly baked cookies or another treat. If you’re confident in your abilities (and you won’t burn the cookies – we learned the hard way!), put something in the oven before showing. Even better, leave a plate of your freshly baked cookies on the counter for your prospective buyers to enjoy during their tour. Don’t forget to place a small card near the plate that says “Please help yourself!”
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