Staging Your Home
Posted on Tue, Sep 27, 2011
Having a hard time selling your house? You might be making a common mistake of decorating your home. Trying to make it look pretty is not the key. Don't get me wrong, you do want your house to look nice, but get rid of those nic nacs! Only keep the bare necessities.
Clutter free is the key.
- No paperwork laying around
- No personal trophies
- No pictures of family members
- Empty those closets or at least keep them neat and 1/2 full
- Keep appliances free of magnets
Remember you're selling your whole house, so remember the basement, attic, and garage. Unnecessary items should be boxed and stored in an offsite storage facility. Remove big bulky furniture that is causing a room to look crowded. If need be and money permits, consider renting sleek stylish furniture from a company that rents furniture for short-term use.
Everyroom from the kitchen to the closets should be dust free. Window's should be sparkling. Need help cleaning the windows on the outside? Hire a window cleaner or rent a power washer. Cleaning your windows inside and out will allow more sunlight in making your home shine. Installing new light bulbs and changing the lampshades will also help increase brightness.
- Clean baseboards
- Mop
- Dust
- Vacuum
Painting the walls will make a world of difference. Remember to compliment the style of the house. Dark colors will make a room look smaller, whereas a neutral color will make them appear larger. Take up worn rugs. Replace flooring if needed. Fix any wall or floor dents you may see.
- Repair squeaky door hinges
- Make sure your toilet flushes nicely
- Tighten loose banisters
Not everyone who is going to look at your house is going to be pet friendly. Consider having them stay with a friend during showings and hide any toys
and food bowls. Make sure there is no droppings in the yard or accidents in the house.
While I'm on the topic of pet droppings, the first impression begins with the curb appeal.
- Mow the lawn
- Trim the bushes
- Get rid of any dead plants
- Maybe put down a nice inviting doormat.
Remember, a clutter free home will sell.