STAGING TIPS
On average, a ready-for-market home sells 5-times faster than an “as is” home while earning 5%-25% over listed price.
Real estate agents know the best practices in preparing your home for market. Make sure to consider their advice and the following quick guidelines when making your home preparation plans.
1. “CURB APPEAL”
• Clear your garage or shed of all unnecessary items and put them into
storage.
• Place your garbage cans in your garage.
• Make certain your gutters and roof are clean and in working order.
• Prune all bushes and trees. Trim any plants blocking windows.
• Weed and mulch all planting areas.
• Keep your lawn weeded and mowed.
• Remove dead plants or shrubs.
• Clear patios and decks of all small items.
• Store any children’s outdoor toys.
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2. DECLUTTER AND ARRANGE
• Store
all extra furniture so rooms appear simple and uncluttered
•
Clear all personal items (pictures, collections, clutter) from the tops
of furniture
• Remove family photos from the walls and store
them
• Limit decorating touches to flowers and other neutral
items.
• Restrict decorative groupings to 1, 3, or 5 items.
• Rearrange furniture as needed to create a warm, spacious and inviting
feeling.
• Keep window coverings open in order to provide as
much light as possible.
• Put new, bright bulbs in all fixtures
and at night turn on all lights facing the street.
• Spotlight
any fireplace wood stove you have.
• Polish fireplace
tools, and arrange logs in the fireplace.
• Leave your stereo
on a serene FM station when leaving the house |
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3. KITCHEN ATTRACTION
• Put
refrigerator cookies in the oven 10 minutes before a home tour.
• Maximize the workspace by clearing all unnecessary objects from
countertops.
• Store anything not used regularly so cupboards
appear roomy.
• Clear the refrigerator door.
• Fix
broken fixtures, tighten loose cabinets and touch up chipped paint.
• Use high wattage bulbs because buyers perceive a well lit work
area as a plus. |
4. BATHROOM ATTRACTION
• Keep your bathrooms clean at all times.
• Squeegee the shower after each use.
• Hang fresh color-matching towels.
• Replace an old shower curtain and place new soap in your soap holders.
• Clear all excess and personal items.
• Remove toilet bowl rust and stains.
• Remove any mold and mildew, re-caulking as needed.
• Repair broken fixtures and touch up chipped paint.
5. QUICK FIXES
• Keep your beds made.
• Put down all toilet seats.
• Hang clean towels by all sinks.
• Remove crumbs and drips from all countertops.
• Keep all small appliances put away and clean.
• Turn on all lights before leaving.
• Pick up all clutter.
• Put all toys away.
• Fix or tighten door handles and other features.
• Clean carpets and drapes if necessary.
• Clean all windows.
