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Staging-Prepare to Show Your Lake Norman NC Home in its Best Light

Home Staging is often done when you sell your home. Staging a home can bring you a much higher selling price. A home staging professional can be hired to tour your home and direct you to make the changes that will increase your homes marketability. However, make sure the stager you hire is accredited professional.

Staging a home is not redecorating it. Redecorating a home solely focuses on the seller and their personality. Staging a home focuses strictly on the buyer. It provides the current home owner with the knowledge to rearrange the furnishings, pictures, accessories, etc. in the best possible manner to enhance the rooms function, appearance and balance.

The seller of a home has a strong emotional attachment and often times lacks the objectivity to know what's best to enhance their homes looks.

Real Estate agents will often hire a stager as part of the selling package, because they may be uncomfortable disclosing to the seller that their home needs work. Which could be upsetting news to the seller of the home.

The main purpose of the staging professional is to help the buyer see themselves, and their belongings fit into the home they are viewing. They do this by rearranging the home to appeal to a broad base of purchasers. Stagers can be expensive, so if you would like to stage the home on your own please follow the tips below.

The first and most important consideration to prepare your home for sale is to unclutter. There should be NO clutter anywhere in your home. Go through each room and remove any clutter you see. Organize toys in decorative boxes that are hidden away in a storage room (perhaps a room for storage in the basement). You can always take them out again when you don't have any booked showings. Bookcases should be neat and attractive interspersed with a few ornaments. Closets should be cleaned out so that only clothes are visible. Removing storage at the top and bottom of closets. Place clothes out of the season in storage. In fact, place any clutter you have found in storage as well. You have to move anyway and you will have to pack less later when the time comes to move!

The foyer provides the buyer with the first impression of the home. It should be clean, uncluttered, bright and inviting. If any rooms are dull brighten them up with higher wattage bulbs in lamps.

Remove personal photos from all rooms if possible and replace with prints or ornaments. You are wanting the buyer to focus on your home, not your personal life, which can become distracting.

A fresh coat of paint is mandatory. Paint your home in a neutral color (white or beige is best) you can ad a splash of color with colored accessories, pillows, throw rugs, candles, etc.

Bathrooms should be sparkling! Counters should be clear with no personal items visible. Tub tile grout should be clean, and shower curtains and glass shower doors should be free of mildew. Hang fluffy, colorful towels on the towel rods.

Kitchens must be spotless. Remove all notes, magnets, etc. off the front of the fridge. Keep counter space clean and clear of all items. Clean out under sinks and organize the pantry. Paint outdated cupboards with a neutral colour and put new modern knobs on doors for a fresh look. Dishes on the floor for pet food should be eliminated during a showing.

Furnishings should be simple and minimal. Leave space between pieces and remove nick knacks. Your most attractive piece of furniture should be placed on the wall you see when you enter a room if possible. Tuck away DVD's, magazines, etc. Hang pictures at eye level. Group accessories in odd numbers (one, three or five). Fireplace mantles should be depersonalized by removing pictures. A flower arrangement, mantle clock or piece of art would be appropriate here.

Garages, front and back yards should be cleaned as well. Plant flowers or shrubs in the yard for a welcoming effect. Prune any shrubs you may already have. Don't leave bikes or toys around the yard. Clean the pool if you have one. The lawn should be cut and watered to give the home a well cared for look. A coat of paint on the outside of the house may also be in order.

If you can afford a stager it is well worth the money. If not, just make sure you clean and unclutter! A spring cleaning will definitely pay off. This can not be stressed enough! A coat of paint will do wonders. Have lights on in every room (even during the day) and soft music playing before a showing. Spray a nice gentle room spray around the house to freshen it up. Be careful it is gentle or the buyer will think you are covering up something. All the best! Good Luck!