I remember our first showing of our current house. It’s funny that what I remember most about the kitchen was a pretty glass canister filled with rolled oats on the counter. It stuck me that I never would have thought to pour that big old cardboard container of oats into something so lovely, but it had turned something mundane and not especially attractive into something decorative and unique. The kitchen wasn’t brand new…it hadn’t been remodeled since 1998…but the extra attention to small details like this one left a lasting impression on me, bringing us closer to our eventual offer.
Deciding to sell your home has a way of sending you into a tailspin over everything you wish were different. It’s easy to convince yourself that you need to totally remodel your kitchen in order to attract a buyer, but that often is not the case. Applying a few good staging tips in your kitchen will go a long way in bringing your home some welcome extra attention!
As a seller, I’m sure you already know to make a concerted effort to declutter the kitchen counters of small appliances and cleaning products before listing their home. It looks cleaner, and it’s always smart to play up that storage space. Extra items left out on counters implies that you have nowhere else to store them, which isn’t the impression you’d like to give.
But don’t make the mistake of assuming potential buyers won’t look behind closed doors…because they will…people are nosey…so stay a step ahead of them and use it to your advantage!
Small touches like making sure your coffee mug handles all face the same way, alphabetizing your spices in your pantry, or organizing that hot mess of a drawer full of mismatched containers and lids can make your home look well cared for. Buyers will assume you have meticulously maintained the rest of your home as well.
What CAN go on your counters? A potted plant or two, like fresh herbs, by a window to add texture and help buyers visualize chopping them up for dinner while watching their children play in the backyard. A bowl of fruit…all the same kind (I like lemons or Granny Smith apples)… to add a fresh pop of color. Pretty canisters can hold those everyday items like oatmeal, rice, or coffee in an unexpectedly pretty container.
Some extra attention to detail is well worth your time, especially as we head into the busy and competitive spring season. There will be more buyers, but also more competition on the market, so they’ll be comparing your house to that house down the street.
Be the house with the right-facing coffee mugs and the pretty oatmeal canister!
I know…hiding your coffee maker and drying those plastic containers so you can stack them is super annoying…but do it though. Go that extra mile. I now keep my own oats in a vintage amber glass canister on my counter. You never know what tiny details might get your house SOLD!
If you are thinking of selling your home, give me a call! I’m happy to pop over for a free consultation…let’s chat! 704-792-8768