New Hampshire Home Stager reveals secrets to selling.

The visual appearance of a home prompts potential buyers more than any other factor.  Once they step inside, buyers decide within the first ten seconds whether they want to buy your home.  They should be greeted with a spotless, move-in ready home, which gives the appearance of being well maintained and cared for.

Clean or freshly painted walls, spotless or new carpeting are a must.  Hardwood floors must be in excellent condition.  Floor tile should be a light neutral color, with clean grout lines. 

If you currently have your house on the market or are planning on selling your house in the near future, then this seven-part series was written for you.

 Previous Tips:

Tip #1  Update Lighting Fixtures 

Tip #2  Identify Red Flags

Tip #3  Pre-Pack Your Stuff 

Tip #4  Define Space & Function

Tip #5  Maintenance Means Money

Your house is only worth what buyers are willing to pay for it.  The more a buyer believes the house has been well maintained, the more valuable they perceive it to be.  If you want buyers to believe the house has been well maintained, then you have to go above and beyond basic cleaning.  You have to create the impression that the most meticulous of clean freaks is living in the house.  Clean areas most sellers don't clean, like the inside of the refrigerator and oven.  Organize all the cabinets, closets, and vanities and clean under the kitchen sink.  Organize all the kitchen drawers.  If you really want to blow them away, organize and clean the basement and garage.

Contrary to popular belief...allowances are a bad idea.  Buyers don't want an allowance to have the carpet replaced or the roof fixed.  They want to move in, they don't want to make improvements.  A worn carpet or old roof just tells buyers that you haven't maintained the house.  It makes them then wonder what else hasn't been properly cared for.

I've used this picture as an example many times before...it really speaks for itself:

This kitchen floor was in poor shape and the radiator was rusty and missing parts.  Fresh paint on the walls, a new floor, and a new radiator cover made from wood transformed this kitchen from neglected to impressive and added tremendous value to the home.

Removal of the clock and shelf left large holes in this bedroom wall.  The seller didn't have the matching paint to make the repairs.  They did have paint that matched the hall, so we used that and created an accent wall.  This saved the sellers the cost, time, and labor of having to repaint the whole room, while giving the room a fresh, clean look.

Stay tuned for Tip #6