Technology is an intrinsic part of modern homes, and home buyers consider how the house they are thinking of buying suits their technology needs and entertainment preferences. If you are staging your house to increase its marketability, you should also consider updating your electronics and appliances to make it more attractive to your target demographic as well as increas the home value.
Much like the usual options for furniture, you can decide to rent appliances and gadgets during the staging process of your home, or opt to purchase in preparation for your upcoming move after the property is sold. If you choose to go the latter route, your potential buyers should be made aware that the new appliances they see – LED TV, refrigerator, espresso machine – are not part of the purchase.
There are home sellers, however, who buy new gadgets and home appliances with the intention of including them in the negotiations and eventual deal. After all, carefully selected and modern, top-of-the-line home appliances not only add value to the whole home, but also make it more convenient for the new homeowners who will no longer have to go out and purchase these amenities themselves.
Whether you are renting or buying new tech gadgets and home appliances, here are 3 simple suggestions on how you can make technology complement your home’s overall look and feel:
- Clean up and repair. Your current appliances can be made to look almost new again if you clean them with soap and water, removing dirt, grime and other stains that may have accumulated over time. There are special cleaning products you can use for different home appliances; be sure to use the appropriate product to avoid damage. Speaking of damage, if there are any dents or damages that need to be repaired, have them taken care of professionally or do it yourself. You can also consider appliance touch-up paint; this is a very cost-effective way to update the look of your home appliances and also cover up any dents or scratches.
- Strike a balance. Many homeowners make the mistake of having way too many electronics displayed in their home. This can be quite jarring or contribute to technostress if done excessively. For instance, a small living room will look busy or crowded with a 50-inch LED television set on top of a home entertainment center with audio controls, speakers, and all the works. A smaller TV with a wall mount, and speakers and subwoofers strategically positioned around the living room area will free up the space and provide entertainment without necessarily hogging all the attention. Any appliances or electronics you purchase or use should comfortably blend in with the space.
- Update intelligently. Tech-savvy buyers will be more than likely to keep up with the latest trends in gadgets and home electronics, so make sure you are using contemporary, fresh-looking appliances for staging, especially if those appliances will be part of the deal once they decide to buy the house. Avoid the cheaper model from last year; look for great deals on the most up-to-date electronics and appliances possible as this increases the perceived value of your property and makes it more appealing to your home buyers.
