The Quick Guide to Home Staging in Vancouver

Selling a property in Vancouver can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Do you remember shopping for your new home and going through your top 20 list of possibilities and then viola … there she was! At The Look Co. we specialize in designing for that magic moment. We create the “love at first sight” with those design elements, function, and the dream lifestyle your buyers have longed for!

We work closely with homeowners, agents, and developers to create those fall in love moments … this is why Home Staging reduces time on the market, plus it always increases your home’s selling value!

Front Entrance

The front entrance is obviously one of the first things a potential buyer will see when coming to view your home. It's important to make this first impression very positive and here are some ideas on how to make that happen.

Clean and declutter the front entrance area and add a new welcome mat. If needed, replace any damaged or faded exterior lighting fixtures and consider painting the front door in a fresh, neutral color, or consider replacing it if it is outdated or damaged.

Landscape the front yard and add some colorful plants and flowers to create a welcoming ambiance. You can use succulents (which need care) and faux cedars (which don’t) in the fall and winter. For the spring and summer months we recommend fresh, bright flowers – remember to keep them watered!

Clean and repair gutters and downspouts to ensure they are functional and visually appealing, and power wash the exterior of the house, the front porch, and any sidewalks or driveways to freshen up the look.

Add outdoor seating, such as a bench or rocking chairs, for a cozy touch and don’t forget to keep the front entrance well-lit in the evening to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Declutter

Yes, this is the grueling part but just think we don’t have to pack as much when we move! It’s important to focus on doing only one room at a time - this is key or else you will lose your mind! And categorize the clutter as follows: 1) Trash, 2) Donate, 3) Keep.

It’s also important to remember to depersonalize … this is so important. Those wedding photos that collect dust in the Master bedroom have to go as do all the kid soccer trophies in the rec room.

And downsize those packed solid closets – only have items in season and pack up the off-season boots, coats, sleds and tuck them in storage. Make lots of room in closets so new buyers will think there is plenty of space!

Get rid of your small ornaments and baubles – you may love them, but your buyers don’t. If it’s smaller than a large coffee cup, pack it up. Downsize everything on your kitchen counters, creating a clean and larger area to cook.

Paint Colors

When preparing your home for sale think neutral, like beige, soft greys, and taupe instead of strong bold colors which can be distracting to a potential buyer. Neutral colours appear clean and bright and make the rooms look bigger! If you stay with this neutral colour palette, the rooms will also flow beautifully into each other, which provides the buyer with a stronger visual appeal.

Lighting

This is overlooked so often ... lighting! Vancouver can be dark at times with our dreary and rainy winters so lighting can not only lighten up some dingy corners but give a warm and inviting glow in those special areas too. So use only soft white and higher wattage light bulbs and make sure they are all working.

Open all those blinds and window coverings to add natural sunlight to each space. Make sure the windows are freshly washed as dirty panes can be a real eyesore on a sunny day.

Update the lighting that looks like it was straight out of a wild west movie or even better yet a horror flick, as these can affect your bottom line. It doesn’t have to break the bank by buying something a little more contemporary. Most new homeowners want a “move in ready” home and for you that can mean a higher selling price!

Remember creating an inviting atmosphere for prospective buyers is key. The way we live is not the way we sell!

Conclusion

Done right, home staging can take a lot of time and talent. If you are considering selling your home and would like a home staging consultation from us, please fill in your details at https://thelookco.com/contact-quote/. We have a huge warehouse filled with contemporary furniture, fixtures, ornaments, plants, and everything else needed to create the wow factor!

“Remember, home staging is a lot cheaper than a price reduction, which is very often done in this buyers market these days!”

Check us out on Instagram @thelookcostaging or https://www.instagram.com/thelookcostaging/

Dawn Rockhill The Look Co 604-789-9575