STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
You never get a 2nd chance to make a good 1st impression.
In staging your home, you as the seller have an opportunity and responsibility to enhance the salability of your house. The buyer's first impression can mean the difference of literally thousands of dollars in emotional appeal to a buyer or make the difference of whether the property sells or sits on the market for months. You should look to your agent for honest, candid suggestions to increase the visual appearance and maximize the return of your investment.
Remember - once your home is listed for sale, it is now a product for sale in the market.
1. FRONT AND BACK YARD: Haul trash, mow, edge, fertilize, (Ammonia Sulfate), water, trim shrubs, open up entryway. Around edges, replace rock or bark or just remove weeds.
2. GARAGE AND DRIVEWAY: Have a garage sale, clean out and open up the garage workbench, etc. REMOVE OIL SPOTS!
3. PAINTING OUTSIDE: Nearly every house going on the market will benefit from some paint, at least the trim. Purchase a new doormat. Paint, varnish or simply replace the front doors.
4. PAINTING INSIDE: Use light colors; it gives the feeling of newness, spaciousness and cleanliness.
5. CARPETS: Do they need to be replaced or at least steam-cleaned and deodorized? Clean drapes if needed.
6. KITCHEN: Clean counter of clutter, box up and remove extra or unwanted appliances or utensils. Remove magnets and pictures from the fridge. For showing, bake cinnamon rolls or boil herbs and spices for aroma. Lubricate & adjust all sliding doors and windows.
7. ENTRY: Add a large mirror to give a spacious feeling.
8. CLOSETS: If winter, remove all summer clothing. If summer, remove all winter clothing so that the closets look spacious. Show off all storage areas by packing & removing stuff to storage or Goodwill.
9. BATHROOMS: Replace shower curtain, Tilex and clean it until it shines, countertops clear and clean. No plumbing leaks. Scented soap and fresh towels.
10. BEDROOMS: Tone down the personalization of teenagers' rooms, pack away the posters for their next room, keep neat and spacious.
11. FAMILY AND LIVING ROOMS: Spacious, airy, remove extra pictures, collections, trophies, magazines and furniture, etc. It gives the buyer a chance to see it as their home. Besides, you need to start packing anyway.
12. LIGHTING: Increase wattage in all fixtures if possible. This is not the time to conserve electricity. Turn on all lamps and lights before a showing.
13. WHEN SHOWING: Get the family involved. TV off, soft music on (soft... )All the beds made, everything picked up, small fire in fireplace, use sprays and deodorizers sparingly, open drapes and turn lights on. Toilet lid down. Pets out or contained. Remember, 50% of home purchasers have someone afraid of, allergic to, or simply does not like pets.
14. SOME ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Hire a painter, hire a gardener, call a mail service, call the pool service, use your dog kennel, clean the fridge, fold the laundry,empty the trashcans, sweep the sidewalk...
Use a temporary storage unit for extra furniture, boxed clothing, utensils, etc.
Use new plants or color arrangements to accent.
Turn on the ceiling fans
You are not trying to demonstrate how the seller lives; you are letting the buyers imagine how they will be living.
*Article by Dennis Smith, visit www.SanDiegoHomes4u.com for more original content like this.
Modified by Cindy Bishop, 2006 |