Why You Need to Get Rid of Personal Items When Staging Your Bedford Home

When preparing your home for sale, keep in mind three of the most crucial tasks: deep cleaning, decluttering, and depersonalizing every space and room. The first two are self-explanatory – tidy up the home until it looks as good as new – but depersonalizing may stump a handful of first-time sellers. What does it mean to depersonalize a home? In essence, it means neutralizing the space. Everything that distinguishes the home as belonging to you and your family needs to be removed. In doing so, buyers are able to imagine themselves living there, strengthening whatever emotional attachment they may have already developed.

One of the major factors behind a buyer’s decision is emotional desire. They tour a home, fall in love with it, and commit to buying it. Buyers are not likely to buy a home that they don’t particularly care for on an emotional level, even if the home fits their budget. After all, a house only truly becomes a home if it feels right to the buyer and their family. Appealing to their emotional desires increases your likelihood of selling the home quickly and for a higher value. That is why it’s essential that you focus on depersonalizing the home and removing any sort of memorabilia closely associated with your family, even if the objects appear unassuming at a glance.

That being said, you don’t want your home to be completely empty and devoid of life and charm. Neutral colors and furnishings appeal to a wide variety of buyers and go a long way in enhancing the appeal of your home. The secret is simple: you want to capitalize on the potential by offering buyers a preview of what they can do with the property. Imagine a living room set up consisting of a sofa beside a coffee table in front of the fireplace. It’s simple but effective and demonstrates to buyers that your living area is cozy and welcoming. They can then allow their imaginations to take over and envision what they would do to build off that comforting ambiance to suit their personal tastes.

This guide presents a series of tricks for depersonalizing your home and showcasing its potential. Although they’re simple methods, they’re highly effective and have been used by professionals and amateurs for years. Read on to achieve success in selling your home on the Bedford, NH, real estate scene!

One of the ways to neutralize the home is by taking a look at decorations and any other objects that may be too personal and distinctive.

Right off the bat, you want to remove family portraits, framed diplomas and certificates, religious items, jerseys, and any other family mementos on the wall. Mirrors, clocks, and family-friendly paintings are acceptable and may even enhance the ambiance of the space. No one likes to look at bare, boring walls, after all.

 

Color is vital to every home presentation. Bright, flashy colors might put off buyers, and dark, broody colors can disrupt the welcoming atmosphere you’re trying to achieve. Settle for neutral colors, such as white, beige, or even light shades of green and blue. Certain dark colors, like maroon and wine, can be fitting for specific rooms where you’re going for a quieter tone, such as dining rooms or studies.

 

 

This category includes your personal array of collections, including books, board games, magazines, sports paraphernalia, hobby materials, and anything else that’s too distinctive. There can be exceptions – general items like encyclopedias or interior decorating magazines can decorate shelves and coffee tables without appearing too personal.

 

Much like the walls, you want your flooring and rugs to be neutral-colored and basic. Deep clean carpets and rugs, and replace anything that’s starting to wear and tear. Replace broken tiles, and consider replacing your hardwood flooring if it’s scratched or stained, especially if you have pets.

 

The following four rooms are the most important spaces to focus on when depersonalizing your Bedford home.

 

The first and most important room that buyers see, the living room, should take priority because it essentially makes the first impression on behalf of the rest of the home. Remove personal photos and objects, and decorate with neutral items like potted artificial plants, candles, throw pillows, simple art pieces, and a basic rug if you have hardwood flooring.

 

 

The kitchen is one of the most-often used rooms in the home and also takes precedence. Store away small kitchen appliances, remove magnets and photos from the fridge, and refrain from leaving food out in the open. Store away any baby supplies as well.

 

 

Every bedroom should receive extra care and attention, as these are the most personal rooms in the entire house. Store away personal items, keep clothing out of sight, and replace bedding with neutral colors and designs. Children’s bedrooms should especially be furnished with neutral colors and decor.

 

 

The bathroom is another deeply personal, private space and demands a meticulous eye. Put away personal hygiene products, empty out the cabinets, and make sure that every surface is sparkling. Set out a fresh bottle or bar of hand soap and a few towels for your guests to make them feel at home.

The exterior of your Bedford home is the first thing buyers see when they tour the property – make sure not to neglect it during the depersonalization process!

 

 

Curb appeal is the attractiveness of a home based on what people see from the street. Remove excessive lawn decorations, such as ceramics, doghouses, children’s toys, pet toys, memorials, flags and signposts, and other things that suggest a family already lives there.

 

Your lawn doesn’t need to be flashy and extravagant to attract buyers. Instead of bright flowers and animal-shaped shrubs, settle for a neatly manicured lawn, trimmed edges, and clean sidewalks. It’s simple but effective and makes your property look neat and welcoming.

 

 

For further assistance in preparing your home for success in the Bedford, NH, real estate game, connect with a top-tier Bedford real estate agent. As one of the best real estate agent in the business, Anna Kerr is well-equipped with the expertise and mindset to steer you in the right direction. Give her a call today!