How To Keep Your Connecticut Staged House Show-Ready!

How To Keep Your Connecticut Staged House Show-Ready!

Nestings Home Staging & Design was recently invited by the Hersam Acorn Newspapers to write an article on Home Staging for their monthly Real Estate section!  Many home sellers are concerned about how to keep their  houses show-ready while still living in them. 

The key is in the preparation:  deep cleaning, editing, and having the house professionally Staged is the start.  We compiled some tips into an Action Plan to help sellers make their home show-ready for an Open House or viewing appointment.  Here is the link to the article:  Tips to keep your home ready for those potential buyers.

Here are the tips:

Attractive baskets keep personal toiletries organized and out of the shower and tub.

Show-Ready Action Plan

In General

¨      Open the window treatments to let in the natural light. 

¨      Turn on all the lamps and overheads.

¨      Empty all the trash.

¨      Swiffer the floors.  Vacuum carpets daily, especially if you have pets.

¨      Don’t use air fresheners or candles to disguise smells.  The best smell is that of a clean house.

¨      Invest in some all-purpose wipes, “magic sponges”, new white towels (for show only), and some small- and large-sized baskets, totes, or caddies.

¨      Log off all computers.

¨      Leave the house so buyers feel comfortable.

¨      Have a list of different local places you can take the kids, such as parks, small airports, marinas, etc.  A mini family adventure will be fun for all!

Yard/Entry

¨      Put away any toys left in the yard or driveway.

¨      Eliminate any dead plants.

¨      Straighten and clean your new “Welcome” mat.

¨      Put all jackets, shoes, etc. in the closet.

¨      Hide the mail.

Kitchen

¨      Countertops should be clear, except for one small appliance, such as a coffee maker.  Store other everyday essentials in a box you can put in a cabinet or closet.

¨      Hide the knife block.

¨      Put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

¨      Wipe down the counters, appliances, and sink.

¨      Keep the garbage can under the sink; buy a smaller can if you have to.

¨      While the house is on the market, do not cook fried fish or strongly seasoned meals such as curry or garlic anything. 

Baths

¨      Stow all personal toiletries in a small basket or caddy, and place in the vanity or linen closet.  Each person should have their own labeled caddy.

¨      Put out new, unused towels.  Any wet towels should go in the dryer.

¨      Wipe down all surfaces.

¨      Close toilet lids!

Living/Family/Dining Rooms

¨      Turn off the TV.  Put on soft music.

¨      Have some baskets on hand to store all the toys.  Many have probably already been edited, packed, or donated already.  The kids can help with this; by keeping them involved, they’ll help keep the house neater.  Store the baskets in pre-designated locations, such as a corner in their bedrooms or the family room.

¨      If necessary, use a lint brush on upholstery to remove pet hair.

¨      Fluff and arrange pillows.

Bedrooms

¨      Make the beds everyday.

¨      Put clothing and shoes away where they belong.  Be sure the closets are neat.

¨      Hide any valuables, especially jewelry and medications.

¨      Tidy up the nightstands.

Laundry

¨      Make sure there’s no laundry in sight!  Put it in the washer.

Pets

¨      Take them with you!  If that is not an option, be sure they’re safely crated for the short time you’ll be gone.  The crate should be in a designated spot that will not interfere with the Staging.

¨      Put away their dishes, beds, and toys.

If you’ve done the proper preparation and Staging, these quick chores should not take very long.  Many families find they live a different lifestyle while their house is on the market.  However, the effort is well worth it.  Homes that are Staged, priced right, and carefully kept show-ready sell much faster than the competition.  Then you can snuggle up with your pets, Legos, and a spicy bowl of chili in your new home!

We were honored to be asked to write this article, and look forward to doing next month's piece! 

How To Keep Your Connecticut Staged House Show-Ready!