Friday, March 30, 2007

How to Stage Your Home


Make a good first impression
Touching up the outside is a must. Create curb appeal by throwing a coat of bold, glossy paint on the front door — it will make the home seem cheerful. Polish the door knob and knocker to make them shine. Lay new mulch and plant bloomed-potted plants — all this makes for a welcoming abode.

Depersonalize
Put away family photos and anything else that is unique to you. The goal here is for buyers to focus on the space and structure of the home — not the current homeowners. This will help them visualize their things in the home.

Get your swatches ready
You also should consider painting and re-carpeting in neutral hues. If a home has torn carpeting or chipped paint, some buyers struggle to look past the defects and are not able imagine how the home could appear. The typical buyer can only see a home as is. In addition, some buyers may take into account the inconvenience of painting or re-carpeting themselves, which may reflect in their bidding price.

Maximize your space
Homeowners tend to clump furniture together — but the rule of thumb is two pieces per wall. Arranging your couch and chairs away from the walls and in a conversational setting will also help create extra space.

De-clutter
It's also a good idea to rent storage space in order to de-clutter — this will add significant value to your home. Contact me to learn about the partnerships Real Living has with moving companies offering discounts on storage facilities and vans.

Let in the light
Make sure your home has lots of light. If you have heavy, dark curtains, switch to simple sheer ones — they are light and airy and will visually enhance the size of the room. Also, leave the lights on when you know your home will be shown.

Don't forget to sniff
Pleasant, refreshing smells are also key, but stay away from lighting too many candles — it will give the idea that you're hiding something. Instead, display fresh flowers as centerpieces and decoration.

For more home-selling advice, contact me today.

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