Staging Your Home To Sell

Home staging is such an important part of getting your house sold in a timely manner. Less is truly more when you begin to prepare your home for selling. Here are a few tips that will get you started in the right direction:

Hint: Make your bed, keep your bathroom clean, and do the dishes - every day!    

                   This could be the day you sell your home!

Living Room - All Rooms

• Remove clutter from every room. Minimize personal items such as pictures, collections, work projects, etc.
• Pack things you won't be using. 
• A fresh coat of paint is a great investment - it makes the whole house seem new. 
• Clean doors and windows and keep furniture dusted. Make sure the cobwebs are gone from the corners. 
• Clean light switches and place cover plates on cable accesses. 

Kitchen:

• Counter space in your kitchen is prime real estate - make sure your counters are cleared!
• Put small appliances up (toaster, blender, can opener, mixer, etc.)
• Keep one or two accent pieces (bowl, dish, pitcher) out on the counter. 
• Keep the sink clear of dishes.

Breakfast Room

• If your breakfast room is a small space, you may want to just have the table and 4 chairs.
• If the kitchen table isn't in great shape, invest in a simple table cloth and keep it covered. 
• Keep the table set with place mats and a cloth napkin in a ring to match. 
• A vase of fresh flowers is a nice touch. 

Dinning Room

• Remove clutter from the Dinning Room area. 
• Keep the table set with place mats and a center piece. Candles make a great center piece. 
• Pack the extra dishes and keep displays in your china cabinet or buffet table simple. 

Front Door and Foyer Area

• Give the front door a fresh coat of paint and replace any weathered or rotten wood around the entry way. Potential buyers spend time waiting  to be let in. They are observing as they wait. 
• Keep the side walk swept and the entry way clear of leaves and grass. 
• Keep the foyer clutter free. It's a good idea to keep personal pictures out of the foyer. It is the 1st impression of the house, and you want  buyers to see themselves living in this space. Keeping personal objects out of site will allow others to view the space as their own. 
• Add a couple of green potted plants if there is room. 

Exterior

• Keep the lawn mown, and tree limbs cleared from the yard. 
• Rake leaves and keep the landscaping free from weeds. 
• Keep trash can hidden or put away. 
• Remove children's toys. 
• Plant a few annuals - they will bring a little color to the front yard. 
• Replace broken planks on the wood fence.

Remember, keep it simple and clutter free, this makes it easier to be ready when you get that phone call for your next showing. I hope these few extra steps will help you stay on top of things while your house is on the market.