Page 36 - May 2023

PROPERTY ADVICE
Savvy staging Whighest number of buyers possible the right way. It can be as simple as moving a

hen you are selling your home, you
want to make sure it appeals to the
sofa to another wall.”
to get the most from your sale. This is where
staging comes in – a term for styling the home Set the scene
Clever use of artwork, accessories, lighting
so it looks as attractive as possible. The aim is and greenery can all make your home seem
to balance the styled look with your home’s desirable, so light some lamps, and use
warmth and personality. houseplants to breathe life into the space.
Planning to sell your home this summer? Here’s how staging can Fresh fruit or flowers can make the home look
help you appeal to potential buyers. To entice buyers, your home needs to look its lived-in but not messy.
most desirable from every angle, so you can
show it off in all its glory, whether online, in Try to achieve that feeling you have when you
photographs or in person. walk into a hotel. Make all beds with freshly
washed, neutral matching linen, plump up
Declutter cushions and display matching towels and
Decluttering is a crucial part of the staging accessories in the bathroom to create a space
process. Get rid of items that you no longer that feels inviting.
use or love. Put any extra items that are
just lying around in the garage, or even in Don’t forget about the garden - checking the
your car temporarily for viewings. Keep the roof, clearing the guttering, and examining the
kitchen surfaces clear and remove things like external window paintwork are all important to
fridge magnets and other personal photos tick off before the Home Report is ordered.
or effects.
Think about your ideal buyer
Give the property a deep clean, including Different buyers will be looking for different
carpets and windows. After this, consider your things depending on the type of home you
décor and make any necessary tweaks, such are selling.
as touching up paintwork or replacing the
bathroom grout.
Michelle says: “With first-time buyers it is such
an emotional journey buying your first property.
Allow room for viewers to move around easily, You want to walk in and see yourself living there.
and emphasise the windows, especially if there If you are older and have moved before you can
are beautiful views – we are all naturally drawn see how living spaces change over time so it’s
to this. important to appeal to your demographic.

Michelle Milnes, a staging expert from Property “There are lovely big houses in the most affluent
Studios, says: “Think about the kind of message parts of Edinburgh that were built in the 70s
you’re sending to someone. A potential buyer and many of them need updated as they have
might think your property doesn’t have enough a tiny kitchen at the back of the property.
storage space, if they think it looks cluttered,
and won’t want to live there. “We have to think about how people live today
– they might want to turn the kitchen into a
“We often find a lot of people have two problems utility room and have one big open-plan living
– they don’t have appropriate furniture for the room with a large kitchen and we can create
space or they haven’t arranged the furniture in this with virtual staging.”

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