While masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing make home showings significantly safer, you may still have concerns about groups of potential buyers traversing through your home. Before you call off the staging company, consider that many home buyers are still exploring homes virtually in this “new normal.”
Every staging best practice pre-quarantine still applies— If anything, in this new normal, greater attention to detail should be taken when preparing your home for virtual tours.
Here’s how you can impress buyers from a distance:
1. Lighting, Lighting, Lighting: If you’ve used Zoom lately for business meetings, you have a basic understanding of how important lighting is. Open shades and turn on as many lights in your home during virtual showings. Additional lighting allows potential buyers to see every detail of your home.
You may even consider renting showroom lights from a local photography store.
2. Sparkling Clean: Since March, I’m sure we’ve all come a long way with our cleaning abilities-- why stop now? Although a virtual tour may seem more casual, it is still an opportunity to connect with a potential buyer. Yes, it’s true-- the dirt and mess you see in your home *IS* visible on a computer screen.
3. Have a Plan for Fido: We’ve all sat in virtual meetings where coworkers are consistently apologizing for loud pets. Treat your furry friend to a day at the dog park or doggy daycare to prevent any interruptions during the showing. Also, as cute as your pet’s stuffed animal may be, toys are an unnecessary distraction and potential tripping hazard. Throw them in the closet, or one of those stylish ‘catchall’ baskets for the time being.
4. The View: Even on a virtual tour, the buyer wants to imagine themselves staring outside the kitchen window into what could be their future backyard. Clean the dust off your windows and give them the opportunity to take in the picture-perfect views, streak-free
5. Make a Map: That’s right, make a map of the house and plan your route. Just like an in-person tour, a potential buyer expects a well-planned tour that tells the home’s story. Your agent can help you plan this route and properly show off every inch of your home.
While preparing your home for a showing might look a little different in this “new normal,” remember that with attention to detail and care you can expect a swift and successful sale. Refer to Steve Volkers Groups’ Sellers Guide for more staging tips and tricks!
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