Tips for Staging your Home

One of the most gratifying things I’ve done in the last thirteen years is to stage homes for the real estate market. A staged home has been proven to sell faster and at a higher price than one not staged. http://realestateagentu.com/11-incredible-home-staging-statistics/ During a consultation I point out details, good and bad, that the sellers have become accustomed to. We all need fresh perspective as we are blind to our own stuff.

The minute you decide to sell your home it becomes a house–a product to market to the public. In an effort to cut the emotional ties, I often ask clients to think of their house as a can of soup on a shelf. How can we make it stand out from all the others? Your goal is to make your house irresistible to buyers; to cause them to fall in love when they first lay eyes on it.

AREAS OF FOCUS:

EXTERIOR

• Curb appeal is crucial!  A buyer will drive right past your house if deterred by the first impression.
• Power wash surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways and the house, depending on the structural  material.
• Lawn and shrubs should be trimmed and in good condition. Enhance the existing landscape material, adding fresh mulch if needed.
• Remove empty pots and excessive lawn ornaments.  No artificial plants please!
• Make sure a wooden deck is in good repair and use sealer or stain as needed.  Add a simple seating area using new or like new furnishings.
• Porch  and entry areas should be clean and simply decorated. Add a new neutral doormat and one large clay pot of healthy greenery or seasonal flowers.
• Remember to clean light fixtures and porch ceiling!
• Doors should be immaculate with fresh paint and nice looking hardware.

INTERIOR

• Remember; the first fifteen seconds are the most critical in drawing a buyer into your house.
• Paint walls neutral warm colors. Paint over your purple and red walls.
• Clean like you’ve never cleaned before! Take whatever measures needed to eliminate pet odors.
• Take special care in bathrooms. Don’t over decorate. White towels and clean surfaces are your best options.
• Don’t  try to impress buyers with your handiwork and DIY skills, but create a warm, simple and  inviting space that they can imagine living in.
• Remove personal photos and items.
• Pack away or discard tired items and pillows and replace with a few updated decorative items.
• Furniture should be arranged for conversation. Don’t line the walls.
• Don’t fill each nook and cranny. Buyers want to see enough space for their stuff.
• Clean out closets, drawers and cabinets. Discard or store (off site) a LOT of your stuff. Arrange storage spaces attractively and show off the potential storage areas.
• You may need to lease a storage unit temporarily. The garage is not a good area to use for excessive storage. It is a good place to park a car and store appropriate things like bikes and tools. Remember to freshen garage walls with paint.
• Open the shades and turn on lights when showing your house.
• Stage any ambiguous spaces or rooms for specific purposes, such as a home office or craft area.
• Be sure that everything is in excellent repair. If things are broken or in need of replacement the buyer may turn away and believe that the property is not cared for properly.
• Call Tranquiliving for a detailed staging consultation for only $150!

“Complete all necessary home improvement projects before you show your house. Most buyers are not DIYers and will move on to the next property that is move-in ready.”  Myra Freshwater, Tranquiliving