Dear readers,
It's spring, and many folks are getting ready to put properties on the market. I spent some time with our team's staging expert yesterday and walked away with these tips:
- Learn from others - Visit model homes and open houses that are professionally staged in your community. No reason to re-invent the wheel.
- Walk through your home as a buyer might. Begin at the curb and follow a typical route for buyers. Pay careful attention to the area around the front door, where buyers will wait while the selling agent gets the door unlocked.
- De-clutter, declutter, declutter. Remove at least 70% of the knick knacks and items in the home. After you've decluttered once, do it again and again.
- Lighting can make all of the difference. Use bright, but eco-friendly lighting. Make sure blinds and shades are set properly to accent the room.
- Use conventional furniture and remove pieces from the home that detract from the home's style.
- Make sure each room has a purpose. Bedrooms should be bedrooms, not offices or craft rooms.
- Pay particular attention to bedrooms and kitchens. They are more difficult to stage because they are more lived-in. Pay careful attention to food and bathroom smells.
- De-pet your home. Your love of animals may not be shared by your potential buyers. Remove all pet hair and make sure the feeding station is neat and not smelly.
- Don't forget the garage, utility rooms and storage areas. Consider renting a storage facility for all of the stuff in the garage.
- When you think you are finished, invite some close friends over to play the part of buyers. Many times they'll have the best advice.
Any other good staging ideas?
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