With kids home from school for the foreseeable future, parents in Richmond are wearing many hats these days! In particular, parents getting ready to list a home have extra obstacles to face.

Potential buyers are utilizing virtual tours to view properties in the Richmond area to help narrow down their home search. While they might not be seeing your home in person, staging your home is still a must. 

The following tips from our real estate agents can help you stage your home for virtual tours without causing too much disruption.

1. Box Up the Extra Toys
   Children regularly play with less than half of their toys. Have your children choose which of their toys they want to keep out, and which toys they want to pack up for the move. Ideally, you will want to clear the rooms of more massive toys such as dollhouses, playsets, and other items that dominate their bedroom or playroom.
2. Invest in Storage Containers
   Keeping your children's toys in storage containers will help keep their bedrooms, and your home, neat and tidy. This will make it so you can show off storage space in a neat and organized way. These storage containers can be repurposed at your new home to keep that space orderly.
3. Repaint the Rooms
   If your children's rooms are brightly colored, it is advisable to repaint the room in a neutral color. Neutral colors make it easier for prospective buyers to visualize their personal uses for the room.
4. Tackle the Cleaning
   It's always a challenge to keep a home clean when you have children. It's even harder with everyone being cooped up. Staying on top of the cleaning and clutter will make this less daunting. Take one day to tackle your spring cleaning and then do touch up cleaning throughout the week to keep your home looking spotless and camera ready.
5. Fun Incentives
   If your kids are old enough to understand that you're getting ready to sell the home, enlist your children's help in keeping the house clean. Let them know when virtual showings will be happening. Make it a game or offer them rewards for doing chores like wiping down countertops, sweeping floors, putting their laundry in the basket, etc. Possible incentives you can use to help get them involved in the action include video game time, takeout from a favorite restaurant, or a small allowance. 
6. Get Rid of Your Clutter
   One of the best ways to get kids to declutter their rooms is to lead by example. Have your children help you sort through the cabinets, pick through your closets, empty the garage, etc. Seeing you do what you are asking them to do will make them enthusiastic helpers.
7. Limit Activity Areas
   You might be trying to find new ways to keep your kids entertained at home, and some of these things might get a little messy! Whether it's a science experiment or an art project, some of these entertaining activities might come with a bit of extra clean up. Limit these messier projects for a designated area, like a certain table or play area. This will limit the clean up to one specific area before your virtual showing. 

Contact us for more staging tips that can help your home stand out among the Richmond homes for sale this season.