We're not just decorating to make a house look pretty. We're decorating to have a house sell quickly and for the highest profit.
GET RID OF CLUTTER - People subconsciously judge the size of a room by how much floor and wall space they can see and how much light is in a room. The more clutter in a room the less floor and wall space and light, and the smaller that room appears to the buyer. People will pay more for extra space. Clutter gives a neglected feel that suggests that the property has been poorly maintained. Don’t just shove your clutter away in a closet to deal with later. Get a head start on packing, and store it or donate it .Clear off counter tops, shelves and all flat surfaces. Clean out and organize storage areas (closets, garage, basement, attic). Buyers will look in every closet. And they should. They’re buying space, and need to see how much storage there is in this property.
FILL UP EMPTY ROOMS - It's hard to understand how large a room is when there's nothing in it as a reference point. The potential buyer can't visualize how furniture will fit in an empty space and if they're unsure, they don't buy. Instead of looking at the flow of one room to another, they ask themselves questions like, "Have they left town? “Why is that wall bumpy?” You want them instead to see how wonderful a space is in front of them. When a room is empty, potential buyers focus on negative details instead of falling in love with the overall space.
CLEAN - If you want it to look like it is well cared for, your home should look and smell wonderfully clean. Hire a good cleaning service then spend at least 15 minutes a day maintaining it. Deep clean kitchens and baths until they shine. Take care of pet or stale cigarette odors that will surely turn buyers away.
REPAIRS – Now is the time. If there are nail holes, or dents in a wall repair them. A home that is well maintained will deserve a higher price. Time to fix leaky faucets, nonfunctional lights and restore fences.
NEUTRALIZE - Remove dated wallpaper, furnishings, linoleum floorings and carpet. Pack up family photos, and personal collectibles. You want buyers to imagine themselves in the home. You want them to fall in love with the idea of living there. People don't buy houses they buy homes. We want a potential buyer to say, 'Wow, this feels like home.'
CURB APPEAL - Pay special attention to the front entrance. Prune trees and shrubs. Put some planters on your front porch. Plant a few flowers in the garden if weather permits. Perhaps set up a small sitting area. Paint the front door and update the hardware, including the front lights.
DECOR - Rearrange existing furniture, lighting, and accessories to highlight the home’s best features, such as fireplaces, and high ceilings. If needed add rented, or purchased furniture, but don’t overdo! Keep it light. Freshen up the walls by painting them in either a neutral color, or maybe a bold color to create cosy and inviting rooms.
Open House day - Add a vase of fresh flowers on your dining room table, turn on lights, open draperies to let the natural light in, put on soft music and get ready for your big day!
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