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. Make sure the stager you hire is accredited.
Staging a home is not redecorating it. Redecorating a home
focuses on the seller and their personality. Staging focuses 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 and avoid upsetting them.
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 want to go it alone
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. Remove storage at top
and bottom of closets. Place clothes out of 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 you
do move!
The foyer provides the buyer with the first impression. 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 want the buyer to focus on your home, not
your personal life. This can be distracting.
A fresh coat of paint is mandatory. Paint your home in a neutral
colour (white or beige is best).You can ad a splash of colour 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 Cd's, videos, 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!
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