Staging is a common tactic that realtors and homeowners use when they want to show a home to potential buyers. The idea is to make the home as appealing as possible to the people who are considering making an offer on the home. Staging can involve anything from making certain improvements, like painting the walls, to creating ambiance with decorations, furniture arrangements, and even scents.
However, sometimes homeowners neglect to stage the garage along with the rest of the house. This is usually a mistake. For many buyers, a garage is an important selling point, so it’s helpful to present your garage in the best light possible. Take a look at some tips that will help you stage your garage in a way that will impress potential buyers.
Declutter the Garage Interior
Sure, both you and your buyers know that when you sell the house and leave, you’ll be taking your clutter with you. However, it’s still a good idea to remove as much of the clutter as possible before showing the garage to potential buyers. Why? Because when home shoppers see the garage full of all of your storage boxes, tools, and other items, it’s difficult for them to gauge how much space the garage has. This can be a turnoff for buyers who prioritize garage space.
When you clean the garage out and remove most of your items, you also allow the buyers considering your home to imagine the garage with their items in that space instead. If your garage is just a little messy, you may be able to simply clean up and organize. However, if you have a lot of things stored in your garage, you may want to consider renting outside storage space while you’re showing your home.
Refinish the Garage Floor
A stained, cracked, or crumbling garage floor can really make your garage look rundown, even if the rest of the garage is in great shape. Once you clear out the clutter in your garage, the floor will be in full view, so it’s worth taking the time to make some improvements.
Start by cleaning up any stains. You can use paint thinner to remove oil residue and clean your garage floor with cement cleaner available at any home improvement store. You may also need to purchase a cement patch to fill in any cracks in the floor. After you’ve removed stains and fixed any cracks, cover the floor with sealant. If your floor is badly stained and you can’t remove the stains, you may want to consider applying an epoxy floor.
Paint the Garage Door
Before potential buyers ever get to see the inside of the house, they will have a chance to get a good look at the outside. If the outside of the house is unappealing, they may not bother to come in and look at the inside. Your garage door takes up a large expanse of space in the front of your house, so ensuring that it looks great is an important part of drawing buyers in.
Stand at the edge of your property and evaluate your garage door. Try to see it the way that a stranger might see it. Is the paint on the garage door faded from the weather? Are there cracks or peeling paint? Flaws like these can seem barely noticeable to you when you look at your garage door every day, but they can jump right out to a stranger. A fresh coat of paint on the garage door can do wonders to improve your home’s curb appeal.
Staging your garage isn’t difficult, and cleaning and making small improvements now can not only help attract buyers but can also improve the offers that potential buyers make for your home. For more great garage design ideas, schedule your free design consultation today!
