Four Changes to Make Before You Sell Your Home

There is a shortage of homes on the market in Columbus, so properties are selling at record speed. Unfortunately though, there are still some houses that are not getting showings or selling because of their interior condition. Here are four changes to be sure to make before you list your home for sale.

1. Paint
 Dark colors and unusual designs (stencils, murals) will not work when selling your house--light and bright is better. With a neutral wall color, the buyer can move their furnishings into the home without the need to paint over your color choices. The updated chandelier and dining furniture help with staging here, as buyers will be able to envision themselves having family dinners in this sunny room.

2. Bedding
There is nothing wrong with quilts or traditional bedding while you live in the home, but a modern style is needed to sell it to someone else. The bedroom should look like a retreat where one can unwind after a busy day, so you may want to look through home decorating websites and magazines for ideas on how to make your bedrooms feel cozy, warm, and inviting. In this room, layers of fabric on the bed and side table add a luxurious feel to the space, while still making the room appear spacious and bright.

3. Light Fixtures
Shiny brass fixtures often found in older homes are out. This one has been replaced with a more modern fixture in a bronze tone, but other metallics also would have worked. Remember that lighting is the jewelry in a room, so it should sparkle and shine. Make sure your light bulbs are the brightest, highest wattage allowed in each fixture and turn all of them on during a showing. Dimmer switches are always a nice addition.

4. Window Treatments
Less is more when selling your home. The heavy window treatments of the past are not what a young buyer wants. Better to have blinds that can be opened to allow the natural light in and to see the view outside. In these pictures, the neutral paint color helps tremendously also--it barely looks like the same room!

This article and its photos were provided by accredited staging professional Stella Pseekos of Styled to Sell in Dublin, OH. Stella is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a long-time Columbus resident. She is affiliated with the Greater Dublin Realty Association, the Hilliard Area Realty Association, the Northwest Area Realty Association, the Southern Delaware Realty Association and served as the 2015 Secretary of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, Columbus Chapter.