Special offer

Getting Ready to Sell - Home Staging Tips Part II

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Crescent City Living LLC Licensed LA RE Commission

I recently posted an article Getting Ready to Sell - Home Staging Tips.  Part 1 dealt with beginning the decluttering and packing process.  Now, on to part two: cleaning, repairs and painting.

Clean, clean and clean some more

When putting your home on the market to sell, it needs to be cleaner than it has ever been.  Remember the old white glove test?  Your home should be able to pass with flying colors.  A clean house gives the impression that it has been well cared for.  When potential buyers see scuffed floors, dirty door jambs and fingerprints on the walls, it gives the impression that the property has not been maintained.  More dirt = less $$$.

Here are some often overlook ed items that need to be sparkling clean:

•·         Ceiling fans, including the light bulbs

•·         Baseboards

•·         Windowsills

•·         Switchplate covers

•·         Cabinet doors

•·         Windows and sliding glass doors

Make those repairs!

You know the ones....that leaky faucet you've been meaning to fix; that squeaky door that needs s ome WD40; the missing knob on the kitchen cabinet.  No more procrastination!  In a buyer's market such as we are experiencing today, these small things can cause a potential purchaser to move on to the next house on their long list of available properties.  Don't put these off for a minute longer - it can mean the difference between selling your home or not.   

In living color

Is your paint chipped, dingy or a very custom color?  Repainting a room in a neutral color is the fastest, easiest, least expensive way to brighten it up and make it look more appealing.  Ask the local paint store for the best selling tan or beige color and bring a room up to date in an afternoon.  Have a painting party!  Invite your friends.  You supply the pizza and drinks (and paint, of course) and get the job done and have fun at the same time.

Coming soon...

Watch for part 3 of this series, coming soon.  Now get cleaning!

 

Your West Bank Real Estate Specialist

 

 

Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

First, let me congratulate you on passing 10,000 points.  How did I miss that milestone?  Thi is an excellent list!  So many details that we don't think about before putting our homes on the market.  

Sep 12, 2007 01:27 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Thanks Margaret!  I didn't announce it or anything...don't think I'm quite ready for prime time blogging, but I'm working on it.
Sep 12, 2007 02:02 AM
Adam Waldman
Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY
Realtor - Long Island
LISA:  Good advice to take care of the little things that are so often overlooked by the sellers, but not by the buyers.  I have my office painted red, but it will not be that color when this house goes on the market eventually.  People need to realize that this is not about personal taste, it is about showcasing a product for the consumer to buy.  How many of us have gone into an electronics store or a toy store and the box is slightly torn, but otherwise in tact, and we ask for one with a perfect box.  If we'll do that for something small, why wouldn't it be expected that buyers may want the same things in a house.  Off to Part 3.
Sep 26, 2007 01:38 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Adam, what a great analogy about the box being slightly torn.  I'm going to use that!
Sep 26, 2007 01:42 AM