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NH Home Staging Tip - Turn Your Hidden Spaces Into Hidden Gems

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

If you are preparing your New Hampshire home for sale, there is one simple step you can take that will increase it's perceived value and set it apart from the competition.  It shouldn't cost you any money or take that much time.

Most sellers understand the importance of cleaning and organizing each room before listing their house for sale.  What most sellers don't understand is the importance of cleaning and organizing the hidden areas of their house.  

It's the closets, cabinets, and drawers that can sometimes make the biggest impression on potential buyers.   When these areas are neat, clean and organized it sends a message that the sellers are meticulous and the home has been well maintained.  

While touring homes, potential buyers will see pretty much the same condition in most kitchen cabinets....

messy cabinets

Organized cabinets impress buyers and make your home stand out from the competition.

organize your cabinets

 

It doesn't take much to turn your hidden spaces into hidden gems.  Start by removing what you can....the items you don't use daily.  Organize and sort....cans together, boxes side by side,  gather all small items in a container.  Face all labels forward.

Here are some Before & After examples...

before and after cabinet makeover 

before and after cabinet makeover

before and after cabinet makeover

  

  Turn your hidden spaces into hidden gems and increase the perceived value of your home.

 

Comments(60)

Jason Lindstrom
eXp Realty - Las Vegas, NV
Your Las Vegas Real Estate & Community Connection

Love the use of powerful photos and gives such good examples for sellers. Thank you for a awesome post.

Feb 18, 2014 01:31 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kaye:  The inside of appliances is very important....it sends a clear message to potential buyers that the house has been well maintained when they see a clean oven!

Maureen:  You know what a difference it makes....and how easy it is to accomplish!

Aaron:  It makes it look small, and it makes it look like the homeowners are sloppy.

Wika:  Most sellers don't have a clue.

Jenn:  Much more user friendly....buyers need a clear definition when it comes to space and function!

Michael:   It suggests a certain lifestyle that most buyers wish they had too.

Geri:  Even the smallest of closets can seem appealing with the right organization!  

Kat:  When buyers see overcrowded cabinets and closets it makes them wonder where all their stuff will go.....that's not what sellers want potential buyers thinking about.

Richie:  Thanks for sharing your first hand experience.  Usually when you start organizing you find yourself inspired to do more.

Brian:  And it feels good for the seller too....most say they wish they had done it sooner.

Evelyn:  If you aren't a serious seller, willing to do what it takes, you are wasting everyone's time.

Cindy:  I think we all have at least one of those closets, LOL!

Julia:  It doesn't hurt to have sparkling water and name brand labels for show....but that's taking it to the next level....LOL!

Jason:  Thank you!  It's wonderful to have such a positive reaction to the post and pictures...it wasn't at all expected.

 

Feb 18, 2014 03:23 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Sharon,

Just popping back in to see how comments are coming along on this great post.

Feb 18, 2014 11:43 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Judi:  Thank you! Things have finally slowed down here!

Feb 19, 2014 04:14 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for sharing the tips and the great pictures. I will share this with others.

Feb 19, 2014 11:02 PM
Randy Shamburger
Movement Mortgage - Greenville, SC
FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Expert

Nice suggestions, thanks for sharing.

Have a Big day,

Randy

Feb 20, 2014 12:51 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Sharon, Those organized cabinets are talking my language. There is nothing that looks quite so as a cabinets or closet that looks like it will come tumbling down on your head.

Feb 20, 2014 02:29 AM
Cindy Graesser
Keller Williams - Temecula, CA
CG Premier Realty Group. "We'll Get you Moving!"

Loved all the before and after pics.  people just dont realize how far staging can help you.

Feb 20, 2014 02:36 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is an excellent tip for home sellers. Too many cabinets and closets are stuffed beyond capacity.

Feb 20, 2014 03:35 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Sharon,

I get more complaints from buyers about the inside drawers of kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves, including the bathroom vanities too. I think it's one of the last places people go to pack and it gets left behind. Sprucing it up with nice paint and organizing it sure makes a big difference! Plus people really appreciate nice (not cheap) cabinet pulls too.

It's the little things that count that go a long, long way! Thanks for putting this out there! Suggested!

 

Feb 20, 2014 09:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Gita:  Thank you for sharing with others!

Randy:  Thank you, I'm not sure how "big" my day has been, but I have gotten a lot done and that's always a good thing!

Debbie:  Not all agents feel as you do....it's surprising how many don't consider these areas important when preparing a home for sale.

Cindy:  I love organizing cabinets and closets...I've been doing it (and enjoying it) since I was a child!

Roy:  Funny how sellers think they can shove their stuff "out of view" in a closet and not expect potential buyers to look inside.

Patricia:  Thanks for the Suggest, the post was already Featured!  I wish they would label the posts like they used to!  I never know anymore if a post is Featured or not. 

 

 

Feb 21, 2014 03:56 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

The before and after pics really show what a huge difference the extra time and effort makes!

Feb 21, 2014 09:43 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Debra:  Thanks, and it's not that much time, and weeding out the stuff you don't need or use is something that saves you time later when you pack to move.

Feb 21, 2014 10:01 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I will re-blog this today.

Have an outstanding week!

Feb 24, 2014 12:19 AM
Wendy Tomm
Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB
CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors

Hi Sharon.  I do a very thorough recommendations for these areas of my clients' properties.  Very important! Thanks for the great blog

Feb 26, 2014 09:44 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Roy:  Thank you, I appreciate the reblog!

Wendy:  Your clients are lucky to have you!  

Feb 27, 2014 04:13 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Sharon -- There's a lot to be said for organization. Buyers frequently check the cabs for space. Sometimes they are confronted with a hot mess and other times they are impressed.  How everything is presented definitely makes an impression.

Mar 09, 2014 12:21 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Barbara:  They always leave with an impression...question is, will it be positive or negative?

Mar 10, 2014 05:36 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I am finnally getting back to my Selling Your Home  ebook and this is a great post I will use.  I hope you remember.

Apr 02, 2014 03:41 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Gene:  I thank you!  I remember now that you reminded me, LOL!  Remind me again when it's done so I don't miss it!

Apr 02, 2014 07:22 AM