Okanagan Real Estate Blog

When it comes to selling your Okanagan home, the way it’s presented to potential buyers can have a significant impact on the sale price and speed at which it sells. This is where home staging comes in; strategically decorating and organizing your home to showcase its best features. Staging will help you stand out from the competition, as well as assist buyers in envisioning themselves living in your space. 

In this blog, we've outlined some tips to help you prepare your home for photography or a showing, and ultimately make it stand out to potential buyers.

The first step is organization.  If you’ve lived in your home for a long time, there’s a good chance you’ve collected many items throughout the years. To make the process easier, sort through your belongings and consider donating anything you no longer need. There may be items you wish to keep but can’t take with you due to downsizing. In such cases, we suggest renting a storage locker in town, such as Spacious Storage on Ellis in Kelowna. We know that home organization can be a daunting task, particularly for larger homes. If you need assistance, we can recommend several local companies to help you.

Once you’ve finished organizing, you’ll want to ensure that your home is clean and tidy. A clean home creates a calming, welcoming atmosphere. This will help your photos stand out online, and potential buyers will leave showings with the impression that your home has been well-maintained and cared for. To prepare your home, make sure that all surfaces are clean, including countertops, floors, and windows. A deep cleaning may be necessary for carpets and appliances. 

Your home is spotless, your belongings organized and your photography appointment is set. Now you’ll want to focus on highlighting your home’s best features. Do you live in the Upper Mission, and have a stunning view to show off? Have you recently renovated, or added anything unique to the property? What are some things you’ve loved about your home? Whether it's a spacious living room or a cozy fireplace, you'll want to make sure that it stands out. Use furniture, accessories, and lighting to draw attention to these features and make them the focal point of the room.

When staging your home for sale, it may be a good idea to invest in a new colour scheme. Neutral colours appeal to a wider range of buyers as well as create a blank canvas for them to envision themselves living in. A fresh coat of paint in a bright, neutral colour can make a big impact! 

Good lighting is crucial and natural light is always best. Ensure that all windows and doors are left open during your photography appointment to let in as much natural light as possible. If this isn’t possible, invest in some good-quality lamps to brighten up darker areas.

Finally, add some finishing touches. Something as simple as a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter or a vase of fresh flowers can help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your home. However, it's essential to be mindful not to overdo it, as too many accessories can make your home feel cluttered and overwhelming. 

Hiring a professional home stager can save you valuable time and ensure that your home is presented in the best possible light. We have many talented home staging companies here in the Okanagan, including Center Stage Decorating and Nuvision Home Staging & Design. If you're in Kelowna, these two companies are excellent options to consider for showcasing your home.

We hope that you found this information helpful. Implementing the tips we provided will assist you in creating a memorable space that appeals to buyers in the Okanagan. With a little dedication, you can make your home truly shine! If you have any questions, Gillian Krol is happy to have a conversation and assist you in this process.