Here Are Some Top Tricks From the Home Staging Pros! It really pays to set the mood. Showcase the best parts of your home. You are often in competition with several similar homes. It will usually boil down to which home shows the nicest. Make sure yours stands out above the rest! 1. MAKE ROOM- Clear out as much furniture as possible. Put it in storage, give it away, just get it out of the home. You want to open up the house so it looks spacious- not cluttered (especially in hallways and doorways)! This allows people to picture their own belongings in it. If you have a garage and are using it for storage as well, keep it organized with boxes neatly stacked. People need to be able to see how spacious that area is as well. 2. COUNTER INTELLIGENCE- Clear off all horizontal surfaces, like kitchen and bathroom counters. Toss the old magazines. Pack the knick-knacks. Remove anything that will detract the buyer from focusing on the home. No more than one appliance on the counters. Remove all magnets, etc. from the refrigerator. 3. Follow Your Nose- Your home should smell good!!!This means No Pet, No Cooking, No Cigarette ODORS! If you have pets or are a smoker, you're accustomed to it and probably don't even notice the odor anymore. Have a friend whose judgement- and nose- you really trust give your home a "sniff test". Listen to what they say and try to adress the problem areas (scrub the house, clean the air vents, replace smelly carpets and smoke outside). 4. BUYERS ARE LAZY, TOO- If your home needs some work- dated wallpaper, tattered carpeting- do it now! You want buyers to picture moving day, not all the work they'll have to do once it's over. If repairs are needed that you can't afford or don't want to fix, get estimates and keep them in your "seller's scrapbook". 5. DO THE BABY TEST- Does your potential buyer pool include families with young kids? If so, ask yourself, "would I want my child crawling around on this floor?" If your answer is no, than you know what needs to be done. Also consider painting or scrubbing your walls to remove smudges and handprints. 6. MAKE A SCRAPBOOK- Find photos of your home in all seasons. Enhancing the buyer's imagination (especially if they're seeing your place on a dreary day) will help them see how beautiful the home can really be! In the book include a copy of the listing, tax map, survey (if you have one), satellite view, tax bills, repair estimates, warranty books, before & after photos, service providers, and anything else you feel would be of interest to the new owner of your home. Leave it open, in an obvious location (kitchen counters are a great place)! 7. CURB APPEAL- Trim the lawn and bushes, maintain all gardens. Sweep the walkway and reseal the driveway (if appropriate). Remove any junk from the lawn and porches. Touch up any peeling paint, repair any loose rails or damaged steps. 8. LIGHTEN THE MOOD- Turn on as many lights as possible prior to the showing (leave instructions if you want the showing agent to turn them off). Open the blinds/cutrains/shades; add lights in rooms that are dark. Add other elements that suggest sunlight, like flowers. You want to create a crisp and vibrant "happy space". 9. NEUTRAL TONES- We all love color, just not necessarily the same ones. Neutral paint is a relatively inexpensive way to make the house look clean and fresh. Remember that lighter colors reflect light best and make rooms look larger. If there is any bare sheet rock in your home, have it primed, if not totally finished. 10. GET AN INSPECTION- Most buyers will want one done anyway. Do it now and make the needed repairs before you put it on the market. This will help avoid most problems later on in the sale. Shock your well. No buyers want to find out the the house they want might have water issues. 11. FIRE & AIR- If it's a cold and dreary day, light a fire in the fireplace (assuming you have one). Conversely, if it's a cool, summer day have the windows open (and CLEAN)! 12. KEEP IT CLEAN- This means no dust, cobwebs, or trash. Buyers are extremely observant and expect sellers to be meticulous. Keep your kitchen and bathrooms spotless. A buyer will notice your attention to detail and assume the home has been exceptionally well maintained. 13. FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST- Make sure the buyers have access to the entrance to the house that gives the best first impression. When they enter, everything in sight should sparkle. Also remember that playing calming music in the background will slow the buyer down and make them feel more at home. Remove family photos from the walls and shelves. Buyers will have a hard time moving their family in mentally, when your family is all over "their new home". |