HOME PREPARATION AND STAGING TIPS

Preparing and decorating your home to sell is a completely different concept from decorating your home to live in.  While you are living there, you make the home fit who you are, what you do, and how you feel.  When you are selling your home, you are decorating in preparation to leave your house.  You need to take your personality out of it so the Buyer's can add their personality to the basics.  Then they can get a feel of how it would be for them to live in the home. 

Do just as much of the following as you can.  You may have to rent storage for a little while.  Try not to store too much in the garage, the Buyer needs to visualize (and inspect) that too. 

·        'De-clutter and de-crowd.'  

·        Throw out newspapers, throw out or store most magazines and books.

·        Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier.

·        Clean and arrange linen closets, bathroom cabinets, kitchen cabinets to make them look neat and roomier.  Store items that you won't need soon.

·        Arrange furniture for a smooth flow into and through the rooms and to make the rooms look more spacious.  Store some furniture if necessary.

·        Put away or store personal photos and decorative items, hobby displays, collections, etc.

·        Clean off tables, dresser tops counter tops.  Place simple decorative items like plants, flowers, bowls of fruit, etc. on them.

·        Make sure everything is clean, clean, clean.

·        Clean carpets and floors.

·        Wash windows and screens to let more light in.

·        Put out a fresh, simple doormat.

·        Take care of odors.  Use cleansers, carpet freshener, potpourri.

·        Take care of pet areas daily or more often if needed.

·        Make sure doors, cabinet doors and drawers open without bumping anything and without squeaking or sticking.

·        Disguise unsightly areas.  Put a screen or basket of greenery in front of the fireplace.

·        Emphasize and frame pleasing views from windows with window treatments and clean windows.

·        Leave the lights on for showings.  Put brighter lights in dim areas if possible.

·        Make sure all faucets work without squeaking or dripping.

·        If you have been creative with color in your home, repaint a neutral color.

·        Decorate and accentuate with real plants.

·        Display big fluffy towels.

·        Freshen paint on trim and moldings.

·        Replace mismatched, poorly fitting, or out of date door handles and cabinet pulls.

·        Clean the garage too.  Take down cobwebs, make storage neat and orderly.

·        Install new light switch covers as needed.

·        Put attractive pillows on the sofa.

·        Put a tablecloth or runner on the dining table, make a centerpiece of fruit or a plant.

·        Launder curtains and drapes.

·        Repair tub and shower caulking.

·        Lampshades are in good condition and straight.

·        Replace the shower curtain.

·        Remove stains from sinks, toilets, showers, and tubs.

·        Clean all appliances. 

ALL IMPORTANT CURB APPEAL

·        Trim bushes so they don't block windows and light.

·        Put a pot of bright flowers or an attractive plant on your porch or near the entryway.

·        Clean driveway. Patch holes and reapply sealant, if needed..

·        Edge the grass around walks and trees.

·        Keep garden tools out of sight.

·        Buy a new mailbox.

·        Replace outdoor light fixture if needed.

·        Polish or replace your house numbers.

·        Polish or replace the door hardware.

·        Be sure the door is clean.

·        Clean and repair the gutters.

·        Tidy the yard. Rake the leaves, mow the grass, trim the bushes.

·        Weed the flower beds, replace plants as needed.

·        Repair fences and gates.

·        Repair torn screens.

·        Doorbell should be in working order.

·        Curbside is swept free of debris and leaves. 

OVER IMPROVING DOESN'T PAY

Don't plan major improvements to sell your home.  Likely the Buyer will want to change many things.  It is better to show your home to its best advantage and let the Buyer see the potential at a price they can afford.  Don't replace flooring unless it is damaged or badly outdated.  Don't replace light fixtures unless broken or badly outdated.