Staging Your Home to Sell

    Home Staging

    Home staging is the act of preparing a private residence prior to going up for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to sell a home quickly, and for the most money possible by making a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers. Staging focuses on improving a property to make it appeal to the largest number of buyers by transforming it into a welcoming, appealing, and attractive product for sale. Many people believe that staging raises the value of a property by way of reducing the home's flaws, depersonalizing, de-cluttering, cleaning, improving condition items, and landscaping. For vacant homes, staging furniture is used to create a living space the buyer can "see" themselves living in. Properly executed staging leads the eye to attractive features while minimizing flaws.

    Planned showing appointments will allow you time to prepare. But oftentimes, the window of opportunity to expose your property to a motivated buyer can be small. So every time you leave your home, make sure it is ready for an unexpected showing.

    General Preparation

    When preparing your home, think about the techniques used to show builders' model homes or what you might do to prepare for honored guests. Review pointers from "First Impressions" checklist, particularly regarding cleanliness, clutter, and repairs - interior and exterior. Create as light, cheerful and serene an environment as possible Open drapes and light lamps including those in closets, basement or attic. Add a welcoming touch by filling candy dishes and putting out fresh flowers

    Bedrooms

    Make beds, put clothes and toys away, keep decorator pillows orderly.

    Turn blinds so slats are uniformly open. Put on light if room is dark.

    Bathrooms

    Put out a clean hand towel, fresh soap and soap dish.

    Put the commode lid down and ensure tissue supply is adequate.

    A Potpourri dish can provide a nice sight and scent.

    Kitchen

    Put away last minute dishes and conceal countertop articles.

    Simmer a few drops of vanilla on stove.

    Dining Room

    Arrange inviting centerpiece.

    Consider setting the table with fine china and linen.

    Light chandelier.

    Living Room/Family Room/Den

    Straighten pictures on walls.

    Adjust couch cushions and throw pillows.

    Dispose of newspapers and drink containers, and polish tabletops.

    Light fireplace in winter

    Entry way

    When exiting just before buyers arrive, turn around at front door and see what the prospect's first impression will be. What is the first thing you notice from that vantage point? Is it an asset?

    Notify your neighbors of scheduled open house days and assure them they'll be welcome. Their eagerness to discover decorating ideas for their own homes may actually result in them turning up a buyer among their friends.

    Who comes to open houses, are they buyers, neighbors, other sellers, Real Estate Agents, Who are they?

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