Use these Do-It-Yourself Tips to Place Your Home on
"The Stage"
of Your Local Home Sale Theater!
The buzzword today with residential REALTORS® is "staging". Staging a house can change a homes atmosphere that appeals to homebuyers and which may bring a higher price and accelerate market time. By adding small decorative touches, rearranging or deleting furniture or creating vignettes, a home can look like a professional stager was hired.
Savvy homebuyers require quality finishes and neutral color palettes in homes they ultimately purchase. If you are selling your home and need to decorate before placing your house on market, remember that cutting-edge interior design and commitment colors (strong, bold, trendy) are usually a red flag to homebuyers. Buyers consider "visual veneer" a mask for defects in a home.
The Do's
Make your home anonymous. The reason that you need to make your home "anonymous" is because you want Buyers to view it as their potential home. Get rid of family and highly personal photos. Buyers can't visualize themselves in a home that's still territorially yours.
Focus on living spaces. These areas are where the majority of home buyers will spend their time. Place a side table and a floor lamp next to a comfortable chair as a reading corner. Float sofas and coffee tables away from walls for a designer look. Slipcover mismatched furniture in a room that requires visual unification.
Take the time to paint walls, trim and ceilings.
Keep adjoining rooms in the same color palette which will make your home appear larger and flow better. Clean up spills from messy painters. Check all the ceilings for water stains. Find any leaks, repair them and make sure a proper job is done. Nothing irritates a buyer more than finding out - after the fact - about plumbing or roofing leaks. If a water stain is left after something you have already repaired, do the cosmetic work necessary to improve the desirability of your home. That means painting. You may have to paint anyway, especially if dirt has accumulated in spots or you have an outdated color scheme. Painting makes a home look fresh and new on the inside and never fails to impress. Painting can be your best investment when selling your home. It is not a very expensive operation and often you can do it yourself. You should almost always choose an off-white color because white helps your rooms appear bright and spacious. Hire professionals to paint mullions on windows and staircase spindles.
Place green plants in rooms. Fireplaces should always be operable and lit in season. Place groupings of candles and clear glass bowls filled with natural potpourri on side and coffee tables.
Substantial wicker baskets can organize magazines, remote controls and toys.
Limit knick-knacks to make room for staging materials.
Give attention to Kitchens.
Put away in a handy drawer all dish towels and rags. Reduce recipe boxes, barrels of cooking utensils, excess-cooking machines, and cookbooks by two-thirds to open up counter spaces or remove completely. For a quick update put new hardware on cabinets. Find an out-of-the-way place for a portable dishwasher. Clean off everything on the refrigerator. Omit throw rugs scattered around the kitchen. Clean off windowsills to open up exterior views. Budget to keep a variety of fresh fruit in a glass bowl on the counter. Edit family bulletin boards... no family pictures. Remove old curtains and install new faux wood blinds. Consider the appropriate level for finishes in kitchens and bathrooms. Buyers in a mid-priced neighborhood aren't looking for high-end finishes.
Eliminate clutter.
This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in their home. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. Clutter collects on shelves, counter tops, drawers, closets, garages, attics, and basements. You want as much open clear space as possible, so every extra little thing needs to be cleared away.
Make sure there is balanced lighting in every room for dusk and evening showings.
Dimmers help set the right tone.
Install new light switch covers.
Most buyers interact with these on home showings. Worn or out-of-date covers lack attention to detail.
Test all door and cabinet knobs.
Replace mismatched or inexpensive hardware for a quick update. Buyers rarely can get beyond a knob that comes off in their hand as they attempt to use a door.
Organize cabinets with clear containers.
Freshen-up closets with closet organizers to maximize storage space and paint a neutral washable color. If you can't see the back wall of a cabinet, Buyers will think you don't have enough storage space. Ditto closets. Lighting is often overlooked feature in closets, but buyers will always turn on lights when viewing a closet, big or small.
Locate wall spaces for large and flat screen TV’s.
They are a "must-have" for the majority of homebuyers. Plasma TV’s are quickly becoming the "Monet" over the fireplace.
Install technology wiring for high-speed Internet, cable, and Wi-Fi.
If you have walls opened up "Wired homes" are becoming one of the top whistle and bells buyers demand. Don't overlook the bathrooms!
Pick-up recent home decorating magazines.
If you're not up to speed on current decorating trends it will help familiarize yourself with how interior design is being marketed. Tab pages with low-cost ideas that which will make your home say today.
Stage a home office if you don't have one.
They're not a trend, they're required for homebuyers in 2006. Many homebuyers today work from home part or full-time or want a space where they can organize their life and park a computer. Find an extra bedroom, walk-in closet or an unused corner and convert into a home office with a convenient electric, telephone and cable supply.
Spend time on sleeping and bathing spaces.
Often over looked in the frenzy to get a home on market, these spaces can make or break a home. Buy a set that consists of a matching bed skirt, bed spread, pillow covers and blinds to match. Buy a new shower curtain and separate liner. Wash the liner often if mold develops. Add complete sets of towels that coordinate with your new shower curtain. Clear all cosmetics off vanity. If you have an over-the-toilet cabinet, consider removing and place a piece of artwork in its place. Remember to keep items in the "too much information" category, out of view. If you have a king-size bed in a small room, you'll pay to have Buyers over come this negative, so get rid of it now. Clear off dresser and nightstands of excess. Make sure the bedroom receives the maximum natural light. Install closet organizers in closets. Eliminate wall and door hooks for clothes. People might look under your bed, no surprises please.
Remember first impressions in entries.
A simple console table with mirror over makes a nice entranceway. Make sure this space is well lit day or night. Place adhesive under rugs so Buyers don't trip or slide. Polish and wax hardwood floors to brighten and blend an old finish.
Purchase the best quality carpet pad. This can make any new carpeting "cushy" and home buyers love cushy. Stay away from shag styles, buyers know it won't be around long in style cycles.
Take the time to clean, organize and paint basements, attics and garages. Many a home buyer has passed on a home they otherwise liked because it had a "creepy" attic or basement.
Interior minor repairs. Now it is time to go through the interior of your home and repair all of the minor things that you possible can. For example: loose doorknobs, a dripping faucet, squeaky doors, faulty light switches, settlement cracks or holes in walls. It may be necessary to do some painting to freshen up rooms. An afternoon spent making some small repairs or changes can eliminate a buyer’s objections later.
The Don'ts
Overlook the front door.
First impressions count. Paint the door, polish the hardware and illuminate the entry area and house numbers.
Install kitchen cabinets with the drawer fronts stapled on.
Buyers look for quality dove-tailed construction.
Assume everyone loves stainless steel appliances. Word-of-mouth says the cleaning requirements aren't for everyone.Use inexpensive silk flowers. Nothing distracts Buyers more that silk flowers that are past their time, inappropriate for the season or thrown together. Throw them out, now. Budget for weekly fresh flowers and potted plants while your home is being toured.
Dismiss your location. Southwestern looks out-of-place in most northern climates and contemporary is hard to pull off in a vintage saltbox colonial.
Block good room and house flow. Awkward furniture placement can make a room feel smaller than it is. Keep in mind that groups of people will be walking through your home together.
Forget to upgrade Fido's bowl. Aromatherapy can go a long way! Does your home pass the scent test? Strong odors could send potential buyers running out the front door. For example, if you are a pet owner, pets come with odors. It is very easy to become used to those odors and not be aware of it, but to potential buyers that do not own pets it is quite noticeable. For those with cats, empty litter boxes daily and use plenty of baking soda. For dog owners, sprinkling carpet freshener can do wonders for a room. We know you love your pet, but prove it to homebuyers. Also have a plan so that the animals are caged when showing the property. Don’t make the safety of your animal be the REALTORS® responsibility.
For everyday showings.
It is a great idea to have fresh flowers in several rooms or air fresheners. If an open house is scheduled try baking some cookies, simmer a pot of apple cider and cinnamon on the stove or light some scented candles.
Overlook window coverings.
Buyers today think less is more in window fashion. They want the most light and the least embellishment on windows and no layered treatments with sheer panels please! Think "let the light shine in" when installing blinds and shades. Light and bright can overcome other issues with home.
Install inexpensive laminate flooring instead of hardwood in living and family rooms.
Buyers walking across it hate the hollow noise that echoes up from it. Install bamboo floors in contemporary settings, bamboo is out-pacing maple as the "new" light colored wood floor. Forget parquet and veneered wood flooring. Parquet is still out-of-favor and buyers are aware that thin wood veneer over wood products can't handle many sandings to change stain colors.
Install inexpensive home-center light fixtures and use interior fixtures outside.
The right fixtures say quality to buyers.
Use low wattage light bulbs.
Dark, dim rooms are unappealing to homebuyers. They want to see what they might buy. Replace bulbs with manufacture recommended wattages and especially the burned out ones. The newer low-energy bulbs don't cast home or people in flattering light.
Think that everyone loves wallpaper.
No two people have the same taste in this instant decorator finishes. If it's more than three years old, carefully take it down and paint in a neutral color... and wallpaper boarders are out. If wallpaper is preferred over paint, avoiding busy patterns and using a textured paper, such as a tweed, linen or boucle. Textured paper will add visual interest without taking away from the rest of the room.
Paint with commitment colors.
If you've determined that you need to paint, stay away from bold or commitment colors. Commitment colors are those Buyers either love or hate. It can be difficult for Buyers to overlay their style on them. As one customer said "I don't live in a magazine."
Think cleaning is a part of staging.
Clean every surface until it shimmers and shines. Clean can seal a deal. Don't forget the windows.
The before and after. Invite three full-time REALTORS® to view your home before and after your interior design pre-market update. They work this all the time. A second or third pair of eyes will help you accent the best and edit the worst in your home. Be prepared for some constructive criticism. You want to hear it before you put your home on market, not as feedback from prospective Buyers. Go room-by-room with a worksheet so you can take notes.
These principles should be applied to all rooms and areas of your home.Depending on how much time you have available for an update or a makeover, you will need to prioritize and figure out what will give you the biggest return.Do this at least two months before you put your house on market.
Take a step back and pretend you are the Buyer interested in purchasing this house. Then decide if you have done enough. Be Prepared! Anything in need of repair will be addressed when the Buyer of your property has an inspection completed by a qualified home inspector.
We have the skills and expertise to show you what is
important in preparing your house for sale.
Our Concierge has many service providers
qualified to do your projects.
Just complete this form requesting FREE assistance.
