Housing
prices are climbing, but this doesn’t mean that Americans are
making much more money to continue living adequately. Many seniors
want to downsize, often because of limited earning potential,
disability, or retirement.
With
so many other options available, many seniors make the decision to
seek housing elsewhere, and sell their own homes in the meantime.
If
this applies to your parents, you might be interested in ways to make
the home more appealing without buying new furniture.
Don't
Get Caught Up in Creating Overwhelming Smells
Certain
smells are commonly associated with staging a home. Some people
advise the homeowners to bake a pie or cookies to make the home smell
pleasant. In truth, a more neutral aroma may be less distracting and
more likely to do the trick.
One
trick to use with smells while you are staging is to go with
something light but seasonal. Jasmine in the springtime or faint
apple in the fall make for excellent choices.
Improve
the Lighting in the Home
Staging
the home should involve checking out all the lighting features in the
house. If you are in the market to make some improvements to the
house, you might start here.
Recessed
lights look fantastic in almost any room, but you might still include
a floor lamp in each bedroom. Angled lights may work better in the
bathroom to ensure that you reduce glare and create a stable
appearance.
And
of course, the kitchen may require that you focus on light grouping.
Lights should be placed where the next owner will be most likely to
need them.
In
conjunction with lighting, consider painting some of the walls to
create a bit more personality. Painting one or two walls as accents
in a room can actually provide an intriguing sense of style that
works well with the lighting scheme you use.
Declutter
the Home Effectively
Decluttering
the home makes it look fresh and livable. Obviously, you want the
next buyer to come in and feel comfortable; removing extra will do
just that. Additionally, you can move furniture around to create more
ample space where potential buyers can envision their own families
gathering.
At
the same time, ensure you are not simply stuffing items in a closet.
People visiting the open house likely want to see the closets, so
your secret will be out.
Remove
Personal Items
Decorate
the home in a way that allows a new buyer to step in. Make the buyer
able to envision what he or she would put in the home.
Additionally,
remove anything that will take the buyer out of the moment or make
them nosy about who you are. That means removing bills, mail, dirty
laundry, and pets from the home.
Give
the Outside Some TLC
When
was the last time you focused on staging the porch area of the home?
Now is a great time to spruce it up with some plants or a new welcome
mat.
You
can also improve the look of the yard, perhaps with a new seating
arrangement or some flowers. Then, you are all set with a yard that
looks like a fantastic place to relax.
Get
an Outsider's Perspective
Are
you still on the fence about encouraging Mom and Dad to downsize?
Selling a home can be a difficult process, but it is often worthwhile
for those who want to make some changes as time goes on.
Robert
Cottingham Property Management Co
may
be able to help you through the process. We offer income-based
housing for seniors who meet certain requirements. Call us today to
discuss your options for downsizing your current home.
