Article - Creating Space
Focus on…. Home Staging -
Creating Space
Buyers focus their search on 3 main areas: location, size and price. As a
seller, there is little that can be done to change your properties location;
therefore sellers should focus on ensuring that the size and price of their
property is correct, and that their home is perceived as good value
for money. Buyers will be critically looking at each room in your home
and deciding whether the space is big enough for them, and
will be suitable for their needs.
There are no two ways about it, space sells, and the more you can
show in your property, the better value for money it will appear, and the
more likely you are to get a sale.
Now, I am not suggesting adding an extension or conservatory
when you sell, but merely ensuring the space that you do have is shown to
buyers to be as spacious and useful as possible.
Use the following tricks to create space and consequently value for
your home:
Declutter
This is one of the most powerful ways of increasing the feel of
space in your home, and is an economical way of adding value.
Rooms filled with boxes, wardrobes overflowing, items under the
beds etc. all do nothing to sell your space. If your home
is struggling to fit all your possessions, why would it fit in those of
your buyers? This automatically devalues your house, as it creates
a small and cluttered feel.
Get rid of any rubbish, give some items to charity and store
anything that isn’t required until after the move. You will be left
with the things that you need on a day to day basis,
or stylish objects that will help to sell your home. You will not
only have created more space but also helped start the first stage
of your move by packing away some items and getting rid of others.
Take as many things off the floor as possible – it’s known that
the more floor space you can see, the larger you perceive the room to be.
This can be seen in bathroom showrooms, where small bathrooms
can be fitted with wall hung toilets and sinks, making the room
instantly feel larger.
Use Colour
Colour can be a very effective way of creating space in a home.
A dark colour on the walls will always make the room feel smaller than
it is. I advise when selling to use soft and light colours on the walls and
floors. Darker colours can be used,
but keep for the smaller things such as accessories.
Use Mirrors
Mirrors automatically enhance the feeling of space by reflecting
the room they are placed in, but they also help to bounce light
around the room. Used in dark hallways, they work wonders to increase
the space that buyers perceive.
Use Light
Maximise the natural light in a space to make it feel larger. Take
away nets and pull curtains back from the window to allow
light to flood in – you will be amazed at the difference this makes.
Give every room a purpose
Now you have created space, you need to give every room
a clear purpose. If you are selling a 3 bedroom house; make sure it has
3 bedrooms and not 2 bedrooms and a store room or office. Buyers will think
that it is an overpriced 2 bedroom property,
as many cannot see past how you use the space. Think about
what activities will be taking place in the house (relaxing,
sleeping, eating etc.) and ensure
you have a defined space for all these things.
Stage an empty property
Rooms tend to look smaller when empty. This can put
off some buyers and make them assume that their furniture won’t fit.
If they can’t envisage themselves living
in the space, they won’t make that all important offer.
Stage your property using just enough furniture and accessories to show
the rooms potential but not overcrowd it.
Space Sells – so why not create more space and value in your home today.
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