Selling a home is an exciting and intricate process that requires careful preparation. From finding the right real estate agent to determining the perfect timing for selling, every step counts. However, one aspect that shouldn't be overlooked is the art of staging your home. By creating an inviting atmosphere, you can enhance its value and captivate potential buyers. In this blog post, we will explore simple yet effective steps to prepare your home for sale, ensuring you get the price you truly deserve. According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), staging can have a remarkable impact on your home's value. In fact, a well-staged home can increase its value by 1% to 5%! Just imagine, for a home valued at $500,000, effective staging could potentially bring an additional $25,000 to the table. Moreover, the report also revealed that 83% of buyers' agents agree that staging makes it easier for buyers to envision the property as their future home. With such a positive influence, staging can significantly speed up the sale process. Investing in staging not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your property, but it also boosts its market value and allure to potential buyers. So, let's dive into the world of home staging and discover the secrets to a successful sale! Who Will Do It? When it comes to staging, you have several options to consider. You can choose to stage your home yourself, hire a professional staging company, or ask your Realtor for a referral to a reputable home stager. If you have a knack for interior design, staging the home yourself might be a feasible option. However, keep in mind that this can be a time-consuming endeavor that requires a good understanding of what appeals to potential buyers. Hiring a professional staging company is another option. These companies specialize in boosting a home's appeal and have a wealth of experience in presenting homes in their best light. They often have an inventory of furniture and accessories that they use to enhance the appearance of your home, creating an environment that appeals to a wide range of buyers. Alternatively, your Realtor can usually recommend a good home stager. Many real estate agents have established relationships with staging professionals and can vouch for their quality of work. While hiring a professional can be an additional cost, consider it an investment. A well-staged home can sell faster and at a higher price, potentially offsetting the cost of the staging services.   Where To Start ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="1">Declutter and Depersonalize The first step to staging your home is to declutter and depersonalize it. Remove all personal items, such as family photos and memorabilia, and store them away. This will help potential buyers visualize themselves living in the space. Decluttering can also help make your home look more spacious and airy. Donate or sell any items you no longer need or use.   ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="2">Paint and Freshen Up Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is an easy and affordable way to update and refresh your home. Choose a neutral color palette to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Also, make sure to touch-up any scratches or blemishes on walls, baseboards, and window sills. Clean or replace any carpets or flooring that are stained or worn.   ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="3">Rearrange Furniture and Add Accessories Furniture arrangement plays a significant role in staging your home. Arrange furniture in a way that creates an open flow and highlights the best features of the room, such as a stunning fireplace or a beautiful view. Add accessories such as throw pillows, area rugs, and artwork, and plants to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.   ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="4">Give Each Room a Purpose When potential buyers view your home, they will want to imagine how their own furniture would fit in the room. To help them visualize this, give each room a purpose - for example, a bedroom should look like a bedroom and not an office. Remove any furniture that doesn’t align with the intended purpose of the room.   ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="5">Lighting Matters Too Lighting is an important factor in staging your home. Natural light will make a room look brighter and more inviting, so open the curtains and blinds to let as much natural light in as possible. If the room doesn’t have enough natural lighting, you can add lamps or overhead lights to brighten up the space even more.   ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="6">First Impressions Count When potential buyers view your home for the first time, their initial impression will carry throughout the rest of their visit. Make sure your front entrance looks inviting by sprucing up the door with a fresh coat of paint and adding potted plants or flowers to either side. This will help create a good first impression so potential buyers can imagine themselves living in your home. ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="7">Make the House Sparkle A clean home is crucial when staging your home for sale. Potential buyers want a home that looks move-in ready. Clean every corner of your home, including windows, walls, cupboards, sinks, and bathrooms. Consider hiring a professional cleaner or doing a deep clean yourself before any showings. ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0" value="8">Leave the Property Before Any Showings When your home is being shown to potential buyers, it’s important to give them space to look around and envision themselves living in the home. Leave the property and let your real estate agent do their job. Make sure your pets are also out of the way, so they don't disturb potential buyers.   Wrapping Up Staging your home for sale is critical in today’s real estate market. These simple steps can help you prepare your home for sale and make it more attractive to potential buyers. From decluttering and depersonalizing to repainting and rearranging furniture, there’s a lot you can do to increase the value of your home and make it stand out. Remember, the goal is to make potential buyers fall in love with your home and see themselves living in it, so keep it clean, welcoming, and ready to sell.   How Much Should I Expect To Spend For Home Staging? According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average cost of home staging is around $1500. Of course, these prices can vary widely depending on the size of your home and the extent of services you choose. It's crucial to keep in mind that although this might seem like a significant expense, staging your home can increase its selling price and reduce the amount of time it sits on the market, making it a worthwhile investment.   If you are in Northeast Ohio and you are looking for a recommendation for a home stage, reach out to us! We will send you our top choices.

Waterproofing a home may not be the first thing that comes to mind when buying or selling a property, but it is an important aspect to consider. Investing in waterproofing can save homeowners thousands of dollars in repair costs in the long run. In this blog, we will discuss what waterproofing a home means and what buyers, sellers, and investors should look for. The Importance of Waterproofing Water can cause significant damage to a home if it is not properly waterproofed. Water damage can lead to mold growth, structural damage, and health issues. Waterproofing a home means protecting it from water intrusion, whether it is from rain, snow, or flooding. Interior vs Exterior vs Drylok There are several ways to waterproof a home, but the most common methods are interior and exterior waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing drainage systems and sump pumps to prevent water from entering the basement or crawl space. This method is less expensive than exterior waterproofing but is not as effective in preventing water from entering a home. This fix will allow you to finish a basement, but doesn't protect your foundation from water entering or pushing on the concrete. If you have grading problem in your land, gutter, or drainage issue, those problems may eventually prevail.  Exterior waterproofing involves excavating the foundation and applying a waterproof coating or membrane to the exterior walls. This method is more expensive than interior waterproofing but is more effective in preventing water intrusion. Another method commonly used is the application of Drylock, a waterproofing paint that can be applied to interior walls and floors to prevent moisture from penetrating through. This is the least effective of all methods. Just like interior waterproofing, it doesn't stop the source of the problem. If water builds up behind, and within the walls, they eventually will start to bow in. This leads to much more expensive repairs.  Is Your Transferable Warranty Still Valid? If you are buying a home that has been waterproofed, it is important to ask if the transferable warranty is still valid. A transferable warranty means that if the home is sold, the new owner will be covered under the same warranty as the previous owner. This can provide peace of mind for buyers and can be a selling point for sellers. The problem with a lot of these warranties that the waterproofing company doesn't want you to know is that they could be void for a number of reasons. One reason being a monthly fee needs paid to keep the warranty valid. Make sure to check into this when you are buying a waterproofed home.  Best Companies to Use When it comes to waterproofing a home, it is important to choose a reputable company. Look for companies that have been in business for several years and have a good reputation in the community. Check online reviews and ask for references from previous customers. It is also important to ask about the materials used and the warranty provided. It is also important to note that a lot of the well known and bigger waterproofing companies charge significantly more than a smaller local company. Check with your favorite local real estate agent (or send us a message), and they should have a good suggestion for you.  Investing in Waterproofing Investors should consider waterproofing as a way to increase the value of their property. A waterproofed home will be more attractive to potential buyers, and can lead to a higher sale price. Additionally, waterproofing can prevent costly repairs down the line. It is important to factor in the cost of waterproofing when purchasing an investment property. Whether you are flipping a home and finishing the basement, or want to peace of mind on a rental property, it is worth checking into. In conclusion, waterproofing a home is an important aspect to consider when buying, selling, or investing in a property. There are several methods of waterproofing, including interior and exterior waterproofing and the application of Drylok. It is important to choose a reputable company and ask about warranties before investing in waterproofing. With proper waterproofing, homeowners can prevent costly damage and ensure their homes are protected from water intrusion.