Massachusetts Sellers- How To Stage Your Home To Get Offers

If you are reading this, you may be close to the point where it is now time to start showing your home to potential buyers.

You likely have done the hard work of cleaning and eliminating clutter.  Your home should be priced right.  Your broker has advertised it on many on-line publications and you watch with enthusiasm as showings start to become scheduled for your Massachusetts home.  You want the potential buyers to picture themselves living there.

Here are some tips to help receive offers from potential buyers:

  1. Double check and make sure everything is in its place such as furniture.

  2. Less is better.  Put away the family pictures, Aunt Helen’s favorite piece of china, and that Boston Red Sox poster.  Let the buyers picture their own pictures in the home.

  3. Let the Realtor do their job.  They will make sure all the appointments are made and you are notified for a showing.

  4. Have a back up system in place if there is a last minute showing.  Have family members pitch in and clean up. NEVER say NO to a showing.  You only need one family to love your home and put an offer in.  It usually comes when you least expect it. Don’t hesitate to let your family members take part.  Assign jobs for them in advance for emergencies or short-notice showings.

  5. Leave the lights on to make the home appear bright.

  6. Keep the home comfortably air conditioned or heated.  You want the buyer to feel at home in every way possible.

  7. Do not cook and leave unpleasant odors lingering in the home.  This will turn people off.  One idea is to bake cookies, which will give your home a very delicious smell that buyers will love. 

  8. Do not let pets roam around.  While people love pets, you do not want Fluffy running loose when there is a showing.  And make sure Fluffy has not brought unneccessary odors in the house.

  9. Finally, do not be home when there is a showing.  Brokers can point out many things to buyers that will not be said if sellers are home.  Even if the decor is not to the potential buyer’s liking, brokers can show them how it is just cosmetic and can be changed easily.  This would not be said if the seller is home as it could seem insulting.