Apartment That Sells in a Week: 5 Tips Real Estate Agents Don't Talk About

Selling an apartment is a process that can stretch over months, or even years. But what if there are proven ways to make your property so appealing that buyers start lining up? Home staging — the art of preparing a home for sale — has long been practiced in the West, but few people in Russia know about it. Professional real estate agents prefer to keep their most effective tips secret, offering them as additional services. Today we reveal 5 unconventional but surprisingly effective techniques that will help you sell your apartment faster and at a higher price — without expensive renovations.

Main points from the article:

• How to use psychological triggers so that buyers fall in love with the apartment from the first moment;

• Why smell matters more than you think and how to use it;

• Which inexpensive updates give the best return on investment with minimal costs;

• How to arrange furniture correctly so that the space looks more spacious;

• Common mistakes that scare away potential buyers.

Tip 1: First Impressions Matter — The Entryway as the Key to a Successful Sale

Did you know that the decision to buy an apartment is formed within the first 90 seconds of viewing? Often, what potential buyers see first is the entryway. This is where that initial impression is created — an impression that can outweigh even serious flaws in the apartment.

What you can do in just one day:

• Update the front door. A full replacement is not necessary — simply paint the existing door in a modern color (graphite, deep blue, or classic black) or apply vinyl film that mimics high-end finishes.

• Create a mini foyer. Even if the space is tiny, a minimalist coat rack, small mirror, and stylish mat will create an impression of thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

• Use lighting. Replace dim bulbs with brighter, warmer ones. If space allows, add a small lamp or wall sconce — the entryway should be well-lit.

• Remove all clutter. No shoes, coats, umbrellas or personal items. The entryway should look spacious and neutral so that buyers can imagine their belongings in the space.

Investment: 3,000 to 7,000 rubles, one weekend day.

Design: Olga Maganova

Tip 2: Aromatic Marketing — The Smell That Sells

A visually attractive space is only half the battle. Our brains closely associate smells with emotions and memories, and skillfully using scents can be a powerful sales tool.

What actually works:

• Forget sweet and artificial fragrances. Studies show that natural, clean scents work best on buyers: freshness, light citrus or wood notes.

• Use natural sources of fragrance. Instead of air fresheners, place a vase with fragrant flowers (such as carnations or lisianthus).

• Conduct an 'aromatic cleaning.' Rub wooden surfaces with orange or lemon oil, and add a few drops of rosemary or eucalyptus essential oil to the water used for mopping.

• Neutralize unpleasant odors properly. A day before a viewing, open windows for ventilation, remove the trash can, slippers, cat litter boxes and other potential odor sources from your home.

Important: Do not try to mask unpleasant smells! If there are issues with plumbing or mold in the apartment, buyers will sense it and the effect will be opposite — distrust and repulsion.

Investment: 1,000 to 3,000 rubles.

Tip 3: Strategic Furniture Placement — Optical Illusions of Space

Even a small apartment can look spacious with proper space organization. Conversely, even a large area may seem cramped and uncomfortable due to poor furniture arrangement.

How to create a sense of spaciousness:

• The 'far wall rule.' Place large furniture along the farthest wall from the entrance — this visually expands the space.

• Clear walkways. People should be able to walk through the entire room freely, without going around obstacles. Minimum width of a passage is 70 cm.

• Open the curtains. Hang the curtain rod higher than the window, and let the curtains reach the floor — this visually increases ceiling height.

• Use mirrors strategically. Place them opposite windows or other light sources to enhance lighting and create an illusion of more space.

• Remove at least one-third of the furniture. Even if it seems like the room isn’t overloaded, for a viewing only essential pieces should be left.

Pay special attention to the bedroom and kitchen — these rooms have the biggest impact on a buyer's decision. In the bedroom, the bed should look appealing (neutral-toned bedding and decorative pillows), while on the kitchen work surfaces should be as clean as possible.

Investment: from 0 rubles (if you just rearrange and remove some furniture) to 5,000 rubles (if new textiles and decor are needed).

Tip 4: Light Direction — Proper Lighting for Each Room

Lighting is not just a functional necessity; it's a powerful tool for creating atmosphere and highlighting the apartment’s strengths. Most sellers simply turn on overhead lights before a viewing, but professionals know: properly arranged lighting can add up to 10% to the apartment's value.

How to create winning lighting:

• Use multi-level lighting. Each room should have at least three light sources at different heights: overhead, mid-level (wall sconces, floor lamps) and low-level (table lamps, under-cabinet lighting).

• Choose the right color temperature. For living spaces, warm tones (2700-3000K) create a cozy atmosphere. Avoid cold white light, especially in the bedroom and living room.

• Highlight 'selling zones.' Kitchen countertops, dining table, workspace, bookshelves — all that showcases the functionality of the space should be accentuated with lighting.

• Consider the viewing time. For daytime viewings, ensure blinds or curtains are open to maximize natural light. For evening showings, create a cozy atmosphere using table lamps and floor lamps instead of bright overhead lighting.

• Update fixtures. If you have old Soviet chandeliers or cheap plastic lights, replace them with modern models. This relatively inexpensive update significantly improves the apartment's impression.

Budget tip: If you can't afford new fixtures, at least buy modern bulbs with the right color temperature — this alone will make a noticeable difference in atmosphere.

Investment: from 2,000 to 15,000 rubles depending on the number of rooms and your ambitions.

Tip 5: Depersonalization — The Art of Creating a 'Blank Canvas'

Perhaps the most psychologically challenging aspect of preparing an apartment for sale is depersonalization. You must transform your personal, lived-in space into a neutral territory where potential buyers can imagine their own lives.

What needs to be done:

• Remove all personal photos. Family portraits, vacation pictures, children's drawings on the fridge — all of this prevents buyers from imagining themselves in the space.

• Neutralize bold accents. If you have walls of unusual colors or eccentric decor reflecting your personality, temporarily make the space more neutral. The ideal color palette for selling is light, natural tones.

• Remove religious or political items. Icons, political symbols or posters may trigger negative reactions in some buyers.

• Minimize the presence of pets. For viewing times, it's better to take your pets to friends or relatives. Remove bowls, beds, scratching posts and other items reminding of animals.

• Create a universally appealing atmosphere. Use neutral but quality accessories: a couple of decorative pillows, a stylish throw blanket, a minimalist vase with flowers. This creates a cozy feeling without personal imprint.

Psychological nuance: Depersonalization doesn't mean creating a sterile space. A completely empty apartment can feel oppressive. The goal is to create an appealing, universally pleasant interior that allows buyers to easily imagine themselves living there.

Investment: minimal financial cost, maximum emotional effort.

Common mistakes that undo all your efforts

Even if you've applied all the above tips, some common mistakes can nullify your efforts:

• Owner present during viewing. Even if you want to personally explain the apartment’s advantages, your presence creates psychological discomfort for potential buyers. They cannot freely discuss flaws, ask 'uncomfortable' questions to the agent or imagine themselves as owners.

• Bad smells. Even a slight unpleasant smell can be the deciding factor against purchase. Especially critical are cigarette, animal and musty odors.

• Visible signs of apartment problems. Stains from leaks on the ceiling, cracks in walls, peeling wallpaper — all of this raises buyers' concerns. Even if the problems have long been resolved, it's better to remove any signs.

• Dirty windows and mirrors. These surfaces reflect and amplify light, so cleanliness is critical for a pleasant impression.

• Non-functional switches or outlets. Minor technical faults create an impression of overall neglect.

Final checklist before viewing

24 hours before the scheduled viewing, go through this list:

• Deep cleaning performed, with special attention to the bathroom and kitchen;

• All surfaces free of extra items;

• Personal belongings and photos removed;

• Furniture arranged optimally;

• Multi-level lighting prepared;

• Windows cleaned, curtains open for daytime viewing;

• Unpleasant odors removed and room ventilated;

• Minor issues fixed;

• Entryway tidied up;

• Temperature in the apartment comfortable (not too hot or cold).

Home staging is not just cleaning before a viewing — it's a strategic approach to presenting real estate. Applying the above techniques will significantly increase your chances of selling an apartment quickly and at a good price. Remember: your goal is to help buyers fall in love with the space and envision it as their future home. This emotional connection often becomes the deciding factor in purchase decisions.

What techniques have you used when selling property? Share your experience in the comments!

Cover: Design project by Liliya Asfandiyarova