Chris Twing's (christwing) Blog

10 Tips for Decorating/Staging Small Spaces

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:07:46 -0700

If your home is small these are terrific tips. Even if your home isn't small these are great ideas for small rooms or those that need to have multiple functions. 10 Tips for Decorating Small Spaces in the South Bay The smallest home I’ve ever lived in was less than 800 square feet. It was fine for my husband and me, but when children started coming along, we looked for bigger digs and moved way up to 1100 square feet! Some people, however, have even less space to call their own, or at least have small rooms to deal with. Here are ten helpful tips to make the most of your space-lessness. 1) Make a list of everything you need that room to do……on paper…..in writing. Think function, function, function. 2) Plan for necessary furniture (try arranging on paper or computer first – many furniture stores have an online program you can use to try variations). Some rooms need furniture pulled away from walls – others need it up against walls. 3) Think double-duty for furniture – ottomans that will hold blankets, tables that have fold-down sides or can moved against the wall when fewer seats are needed – even used as a desk if absolutely necessary. Armless furniture will also make a space feel larger. Chairs can be pulled around where necessary. 4) Glass tables will make a room feel less hemmed-in. Speaking of glass – keep all reflective surfaces sparkling clean, whether on windows, TV screens, dishwasher, artwork or tables. Your eye glides over and it creates the illusion of more space! 5) Keep contrast low. This means that walls, floors & furniture should be in similar tones. For instance, if walls are a very pale blue (more on that in a minute), the sofa can be white or other light color & the window treatments similar to walls. Higher contrast will bring drama, but will also make your space feel smaller. You can still bring color in with your accessories – artwork, pillows, throws, vases, etc. 6) Speaking of walls….don’t think that white is always your best bet. White really only works great in a few instances. Add some personality with color. Cool colors tend to recede, making a space feel larger. That means choose a light “clean” color as opposed to a “muddy,” muted, warm tone. 7) Keep window treatments on the simple side, using the same type within a visible area. Consider adding texture with woven blinds, simple panels or even roller shades with fabric. 8) Go up! Since floor space is limited, use your vertical space. Narrow bookcase and cabinets can make a world of difference both for practical storage and for display. 9) Keep clutter to a minimum. Few larger accessories will work much better than many small ones. 10) And finally, an oldie but goodie, hang those mirrors, especially large ones or a group of small ones. Try to make them reflect something attractive, however. Hope you’ve enjoyed these tips. Let me know how they work for you or if you have found other ways to make your small spaces live large! Beth Lester Home Staging Designs of California (310) 809-7467 www.hsdca.com Serving LA's South Bay - Torrance, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Lomita, San Pedro and surrounding cities View our photo gallery of South Bay Home Stagings. Services Include: Full-Service Vacant Home Staging Occupied Home Staging Interior Decorating & ReDesign Holiday Decorating Senior Transition Decorating Assistance Life Transitions Decorating Assistance

Where is the best place to buy great towels for cheap?

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:41:35 -0800

Hey everyone I've got a three bathroom house I need to get towels for and was hoping someone might share where they've found the best deals on towels. Is it Ross, TJ Maxx, Walmart, Target, Kohls??? Thanks for the help!

Home Staging is More than Pictures and Pillows!

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:06:58 -0800

Kristine Ginsberg of Elite Staging and Redesign hits the nail on the head with her article about home staging. She clearly spells out the difference in staging a home to sell and designing a home to sell and points out home owners should not be offended by the changes a professional home stager makes to their home. Terrific article anyone selling a home should read! Home Staging is More than Pictures and Pillows! During my career as a Morris County, NJ Home Stager I repeatedly find there are so many misconceptions about home staging. We are not decorators focusing on your personal tastes and décor. Professional home staging focuses on highlighting your house’s architectural features and neutralizing the space so buyers can see themselves living in it. Moreover, a good home stager will know your market demographics and tailor the décor to appeal to the broadest audience. It’s NOT about your personal taste, but capturing the attention of the most buyers on MLS and in person. Do NOT be offended by the changes we make. It’s not personal! Prior to selling, your home is your sanctuary, a reflection of you and your family. We don’t live in spotless homes with limited furniture and no personal items. But, that is how we SELL Them. Now that you’re selling you need to look at it like a commodity to be marketed for sale with the focus being on the home, not its décor. More importantly it has to have MASS appeal! A good home stager will know what art, accessories and paint colors are appropriate and the most popular by the general public. This Morris County stager researches Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Valspar and Behr’s hottest neutral colors because that’s what people want. A good home stager will draw your eye to the windows, fireplace, french doors and compliment your crown and baseboard molding along with any other architectural features. We take the guess work out of furniture placement, room purpose and maximize each room highlighting its square footage. Yes, we add art and accessories, but limited and only to compliment the room – not be the focus. Only 10% of buyers have the ability to envision what your home could be. The other 90% will move on to your competition who did prepare their home for the market. The amount of money you invest to stage your home is a fraction of a price reduction. Change your thinking and instead of accepting a price reduction as part of the selling process, chose a new and innovative marketing strategy to help sell your home by calling this Morris County Professional Home Stager @ 201-602-2562! If you enjoyed this post click: Thank You! Elite Staging and Redesign - Kristine Ginsberg - 201 602 2562 Home Staging Morris County - Staged to Sell, Designed to Live! You have 90 seconds to make a great first impression once your home goes on the market. Consult a Morris County professional home stager serving Union, Essex, Sussex Counties for that competitive edge so your home stands out from the competition, selling faster and for top dollar! Elite Staging and Redesign offers home staging services to North Jersey homeowners, real estate agents, banks, builders, and investors in preparing homes to stand out in today’s real estate market. For a consultation on vacant staging, lived in homes or interior redesign projects call Elite Staging and Redesign at 201-602-2562. Morris County Home Staging Website: Elite Staging and Redesign Morris County Staging: Portfolio Email: Kris@elitestagingandredesign.com

Boca Raton Home Staging- Want Your Buyers to Fall in Love With Your Home? Then You Need To Know Their Hot Buttons!

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:29:39 -0800

If money and time were available in endless supply we would all redo/update every room in our homes before putting it up for sale. Since this isn't realistic see what matters most to today's home buyers.Want your buyers to fall in love with your home? Then you need to know their hot buttons. Selling your home in Boca Raton, Delray or anywhere in Palm Beach County is no different from anywhere else. Your house needs to be in move-in ready condition and appeal to a broad range of Buyers. A recent survey of over 2200 first time home buyers by Trulia asked men and women what features made them fall in love with a house. How can this help you …. The Seller? Well, as you are preparing your home for sale you may want to prioritize your projects. This may be due to time and/or budget constraints. So what’s important and what can you do with this information?The #1 area that men and women listed as the feature that would make them fall in love with a house was the Master Bathroom. (70% of both men and women.) Does that surprise you? I didn’t think so. But knowing how important this is to selling your home should motivate you to place this area of your home at the #1 position when updating and preparing your home. What can you do? Besides giving your Master Bathroom a fresh coat of paint, you can also update your cabinet hardware, paint your cabinets, treat yourself to fluffy new towels, update your lighting and mirrors. Number 2 on the list was Walk-in Closets. Surprised? Now you know why your Realtor and Stager warn you that Buyers do look in your closet. Storage space is always a key and why shouldn’t the “Master of the House” have this! What can you do? Edit your closet... pack up, donate, or store items you don’t immediately need. Don’t forget the floor and shelves up above. If things are shoved in and on top of each other it does not give the serene appearance you want in the Master area.Number 3 Gourmet Kitchen! I don’t know about you but when I’m looking at a house the kitchen is probably the first room I head for. When buyers see a kitchen that is in dire need of some updates the calculator begins to add up what it will take to bring it into this century. What that means for the buyer is either a Pass by the Buyer for a house that has an updated kitchen or a lower offering price. What can you do? Of course paint is always a great tool for freshening any room. But consider new pulls, updated lighting such as pendant lights, cabinets or at least painting them, and new appliances. These are the top 3 items but you can learn about the others at Trulia. If you’re selling your home contact your local professional Home Stager. We can provide a Consultation that gives you a Gameplan for preparing your home for sale. Check out my about.me profile! Room Service! Home StagingPalm Beach County Home Stager561-914-6224 Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.comwww.MrsHomeStaging.com

Marketing Questions from a Newbie

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:32:29 -0800

Most stagers I've talked with here on AR said that once they got their first job everything just sort of fell into place. I feel like I'm doing a lot of marketing but not really getting the results I'm after. Here's what I'm doing so far. Outside blog Local property tours Cold calling Realtors Posting on AR Posting on Craigslist What suggestions can you offer me to increase my exposure and get my first job?

It's a Price War and a Beauty Contest

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:22:19 -0800

Selling a home today isn't at all what it was ten years ago. Today's buyers want a move in ready home for a great price. Read below and you'll understand what I mean. If your home is listed or you are thinking about listing, you need to realize that selling in today's market is a price war and a beauty contest. Even worse is that you often have to win both! In many areas there are far more homes available than there are buyers looking. Add short sales and foreclosures to the mix and you will quickly see that you are in the midst of a price war. For buyers, that's great news. We're having sale on real estate! For sellers, it means you really have to look at the prices of competing homes and price your home accordingly. I'm not saying that you have to give it away, but if you truly want to sell, you have to be in the ballpark. The good news for sellers is that many are also buyers so the "loss" on the sale can be made up with the purchase of a new home. Unless you're an investor, a home purchase is still an emotional decision. Homes that create emotion not only sell, they sell for more. If you're selling, you and your agent need to create that emotion. Homes that are in good condition, properly staged, always ready for showings, and properly marketed do sell. Want to know the good news? They sell quicker and for more money! I alway tell sellers if nobody walks in the front door, the home is either overpriced or poorly marketed. If buyers walk in the front door and will not make an offer, it's because they don't see the value for the price. There are two ways to fix it--put some make-up on the home or lower the price! My advice is to take the time to get your home ready prior to putting it on the market. It's a price war and a beauty contest out there. Photo licensed from ShutterStockOriginally posted at http://www.thebranchteam.com/wordpress/2012/02/13/its-a-price-war-and-a-beauty-contest/ Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton. While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure. Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog. Copyright 2009-2012 - The Branch TeamThe Branch Team - Texas Real Estate Broker 547597 | Team Members are Texas Licensed Real Estate ProfessionalsTom Branch - National Mortgage Licensing System 341963 Important Notice: The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental.

Planning to sell your home? Thinking about painting everything white? Think again!

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:12:47 -0800

Why you shouldn’t paint everything white when selling your home in central Texas. We’ve all been told at one time or another, when selling our homes, to keep things light and neutral. This does not mean painting every wall in the place white. But why not you’re wondering? 3 Reasons you shouldn’t paint everything white. 1.We get plenty of sunshine. There are places in the country that don’t see a lot of sunshine but central Texas in not one of them. This means we don’t have to paint everything white to keep it light and bright. 2.White is not welcoming. When walls are painted white they give the room a sterile feel. The room comes off feeling more like a hospital and not a place you want to spend time in, let alone live in. 3.White isn’t the only neutral. Most people think neutral refers to white, beige and grey however there is much more in the paint can than meets the eye. Neutral can also mean earth tones such as muted greens, soft yellows and pale blues. If white is out than what is in? The Spring 2012 issue of Do It Yourself Magazine had a terrific article about the “new neutrals.” Here are a few Benjamin Moore colors they suggest. If you're planning to sell your home anytime within the next year now is the perfect time to take care of painting. Need help choosing the perfect color for your home? Professional home stagers are a terrific resource and choosing paint colors is normally included as part of a home staging consultation.

Master Bedroom Home Staging in Leander, Texas

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:58:32 -0800

Which master bedroom would you rather buy? Option 1 Option 2 I think we all know the answer to that question however both bedrooms are in the same house . . . it's the same room. Staging a master bedroom is about more than decluttering. You need to create a space that feels luxurious and inviting. In this Leander, Texas home Twing Home Staging & Redesign was able to give a luxurious and inviting feel with a few budget friendly updates. Why this room works? As I've said before every room needs a focal point and in a master bedroom it should always be the bed. Your eye is drawn to the bed with an inexpensive DIY headboard. The sheen of the new linens and lamps creates a feeling of luxury. The room looks finished and inviting through the addition of artwork and accessories. Do you need help getting your Leander or Cedar Park home ready to sell? Twing Staging & Redesign offers both full service professional home staging and DIY packages. See what we can do for you by clicking here.

10 REASONS NOT TO STAGE YOUR HOME

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:27:55 -0800

So many home buyers wonder if home staging is a worth while investment. Others believe they know enough to take care of staging their own home. See why home staging is so worth the time, effort and cost and laugh a little along the way.1. We want to test the market for 90 days. And on the 91st day? Price reduction--and 90 days worth of potential buyers who have already eliminated your property. 2. It costs too much money. I have never seen a home where the staging costs would have exceeded the first price reduction. And that doesn't even factor in the monthly carrying cost of the home. 3. We can't stage the house, we're living in it. One common misconception is that staging is only for vacant homes. Every home/condo can be staged, and you can actually live in it after staging. 4. We didn't have to stage any of the other properties we sold over the years. Yes, once upon a time you could generate three offers by 5 p.m. on the same day your Realtor put the For Sale sign in your yard. Not now. Buyers are picky and they have a lot of homes to choose from. 5. Everyone loves our house so buyers will love it, too. What you, your friends and relatives love about your house may not be what today's buyer wants. Sellers are often baffled by the feedback they get after showings--amazed that buyers have found things they don't like about the property. 6. We can clean the carpets and declutter without someone telling us how. Yes, you can (and should) do this, but it is a tiny piece of staging. Do you know what separates "clutter" from "asset"? And what about all the other things that staging encompasses, like traffic flows, highlighting architectural features, updating, and appealing to your target market? 7. We have no desire to remove/change our _______________ (wallpaper/mirrored tile/gold faucets/paneling/dated light fixtures . . .). And neither do buyers. Better to keep your home or be ready to sell at a deep discount. 8. The view alone will sell this place. Then why many months later are these great view homes/condos still on the market? Could it be that buyers want something to go with the view--like a comfortable, move-in ready home? 9. We would rather let the buyers makes their own paint/flooring choices. And that equals a price reduction. If buyers do make an offer on your home they will double or triple the cost of these items and reflect that in their discounted offer price--which includes a deduction for the inconvenience. 10. Our home is professionally decorated. A professionally decorated home is tailored to the owner's particular needs. Does it work for the new buyer's needs? You could see #1 above . . . . These are all great reasons-- for price reductions for extended time on the market for buyers not coming to look at your home for buyers not coming back for a second look There are dozens of reasons not to stage, but only one good reason to stage--getting your home sold faster for the highest possible price. Staging is preparing your home for sale and creating a home that buyers want to buy. If you want to be in the best competitive position in this market today, consult with a professional home stager before listing your property for sale.

Staging Your House? Stage Those Bookshelves!

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:17:52 -0800

So many of us have cluttered bookshelves. When it comes time to sell your home this problem must be addressed. Below you'll find a terrific, no cost solution from fellow home stager Julia Vigneron Mahe.Staging Your House? Stage Those Bookshelves! I'm sure you've seen bookcases beautifully merchandised with art, accessories and books - books that were placed on the shelves backwards! Various shelter magazines and home stores have used this clever device to show off the display techniques and/or the furnishings. The styling visually removes the titles, as well as potentially clashing binding colors, leaving the simple neutral beige of the color of the pages. Lovely to look at, but impossible to live with in real life! How would I know which book is my favorite Dickens novel? However, this technique can be very useful for Home Staging. When your home is on the market, you want the focus on its features (such as built-in bookcases), not your possessions (such as self-help books). This display technique can help sell your house, and remove distractions. Before: The valuable custom built-in bookshelves in this Master Bedroom were cluttered and poorly organized. After: Nestings Home Staging had the seller pack up most of the books. We then removed some shelves to display some art, and stacked the remaining books and reversed them to lend a calming air to the Master Bedroom. Additional accessories and boxes were added. The built-ins now look rich, more important, and valuable. This is how to sell a house! Julia Vigneron Maher, Nestings Home Staging & Model Home Design: Award-Winning Staging for Model, Vacant and Occupied Homes in Fairfield County, CT (including Fairfield, Southport, Westport, Trumbull, Monroe, Newtown, Stratford, Easton, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Greenwich) and Connecticut. 203.257.7395 nestings@snet.net Nestings Portfolio SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG!

Even small rooms can make a big impression.

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:35:21 -0800

Here is a shot of a typical small bathroom in a moderately priced home in Cedar Park, Texas. The only major thing wrong with this bathroom is the outdated hollywood light fixture. These are a definate no no when putting your home on the market. By changing out the light fixture, adding a fresh coat of paint in a neutral blue and a few accessories this small half bath went from ho-hum to clean, fresh and wow.

Get your central Texas home ready for the spring market

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:20:57 -0800

Ask any realtor, new or old, and they will tell you spring is the busiest time in the real estate market. While “spring” is traditionally thought of as March, April and May the spring real estate market in Central Texas really begins in early to mid-February. Whether you have decided to put your home on the market this spring or are just considering it NOW is the time to get the ball rolling. Here are the four things you should do this month. Declutter Put things away Remove anything that doesn’t add to the function or décor of a room Be sure walkways (inside) are open and you can move freely through and around every room Clean out storage spaces such as closets, the garage, attic and storage sheds Clean (spring cleaning is coming early this year!) Windows (inside and out) Appliances (inside, outside, under and behind) Baseboards Cupboards (inside and out) Fans and light fixtures Air vents and filters Remove cobwebs from corners and ceilings Have carpets, furniture and tile grout steam cleaned Launder curtains and drapes Honey Do’s Complete any small repairs such as paint touch ups, fixing leaky faucets or patching holes in the drywall Create Curb Appeal Clean planting beds by pulling weeds and turning mulch or adding new mulch Edge, trim and mow grass Trim bushes (check to see if your bushes can be pruned this time of year) Add cold hard annuals such as pansies With these four things out of the way you can turn your attention to the décor knowing you now have a clean, decluttered, and well repaired home. Click here to see examples of their work. Looking for home staging tips? Please visit the Twing Staging & Redesign Blog.

Newbie problem, help please

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:54:58 -0800

As with many new stagers I do have portfolio photos but they are from my own home. I met a realtor last week at a property tour, sent her some info and now she wants MLS #'s of homes I've staged. What should I do? How do I respond? The only home I staged that was actually for sale was mine back in Alabama. It did get a full price offer only hours after going on the market but she can't see MLS from another state can she? Not that I know the MLS number anyway.

Home Staging Tips & Tricks: Focal Points

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:36:25 -0800

In home staging there are many rules that professionals employ. One such rule is that every room should have a focal point. Having a focal point in every room will draw people into the room. It gives them something to look at and makes them linger. What is a focal point you ask? Simply put a focal point is what your eye is drawn to and what the rest of the room is built around. Here are the most common focal points for each room of your home. Entry Way Entry table Mirror or art Living Room Fireplace - if you have a fireplace this must be your focal point when selling. Conversation area - not the TV. Dining Room Dining table Kitchen This is one room that varies a lot and depends more on the room itself. Large kitchen island Breakfast table Kitchen sink (if it has a window over the sink) Bedroom Bed Bathroom Bathrooms are less about a single focal point and more about points of interest. Vanity or sink Bath tub Towel bar Office Desk In addition to focal points we choose to add many rooms will have a focal point built in such as a fireplace, bay window, window seat or other architectural feature. If you have one of these in your home be sure to showcase it. After all it conveys with the house.

Curtains: should they stay or go?

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:32:04 -0800

We all know having as much light, both natural and artificial, when selling a home is a good thing. Personally I think there are ways to hang curtains/drapes so that the maximum amount of light is still streaming in through the window. I also think curtains really warm up and finish off a space. As I've looked through many of your before and after photos I've noticed a lot of afters have no curtains. So in your professional opinions do you usually have curtains or purposely remove them?

Advice needed for new stagers

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:25:00 -0800

As a new stager I'm hoping some of you veterans wouldn't mind sharing how you got started? How did you get your first client? Do you focus your marketing on home owners or Realtors? Did you work for free in the beginning? Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again

Home Staging, how a front door can sell your house.

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:54:53 -0800

Everyone knows first impressions mean a lot. When it comes to selling your home the first thing potential buyers see is the front of your house. For some this begins at the curb and for others it's the front door. For this reason it is incredibly important to remember these areas when getting your house ready to sell. In fact having a terrific entry is so important Anita Cooper of Realty Biz News recently listed replacing the front entry door as one of the top three home improvement projects which "mostly pay for themselves." 2 Reasons the front door is so important when selling your home.Most home owners begin their search either by looking online themselves or reviewing listings online sent to them by their realtors. The thumbnail accompanying the listing is generally a shot of the front of the house with the focal point of the photo being the front door. If potential buyers are not impressed with this first photo they often won't bother to look at the home any further. Potential buyers spend a good amount of time at the front door waiting for their realtor to open the lock box and unlock the door. This gives them ample time to notice even small things, such as peeling paint, a broken door bell or the worn finish of the door hardware. This was just the case with a home I recently staged in Leander, Texas. Take a look. When potential buyers see neglected repairs such as a broken door bell or peeling paint they start wondering what else needs repaired. Even minor things such as these will have the buyer keeping a mental tally of how much less they plan to offer. While replacing a front door may be the optimal solution it often doesn't fit into the budget. But there are plenty of other ways to add appeal to your entry. How to stage your front door.Repaint. Paint is a home sellers best friend. It is inexpensive, DIY friendly and makes a huge difference. Add a potted plant or flowers. Change the door hardware. Put out a new welcome mat. See what a difference these simple changes made to this front door. First a complimentary shade of green paint was applied to the door along with a vining plant attached to a topiary trellace. Then door hardware was replaced with a new set in an oil rubbed bronze finish. Last a door mat was added. Now that the home has a welcoming entry buyers will be imagining themselves welcoming their guests through the door. This is exactly what home staging is designed to do. Make potential buyers begin to see themselves living in your house. This helps them form an emotional attachment to the house and emotions equal offers.

7 Steps to sell Your Home Fast

Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:50:15 -0800

Secrets every home owner should know. With today’s economy still struggling it is definitely a buyer’s market. Even so there are several things you can do to set your house up to sell quickly. When buyers are looking at multiple homes at the same price point and often in the same neighborhood it is imperative that you make your house stand out from the crowd. So what should you do? Follow these simple steps to turn your house into a memorable home.1. Make it brighter. Do so by placing the highest wattage bulbs possible in all fixtures and then turning on all lights, even in the closets. Additionally, be sure to open the window coverings to allow in natural light.2. Paint it. One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to make your home more appealing is with paint. Be sure all walls are neutral. This doesn’t mean every room needs to be beige. You can also choose colors but they need to be in neutral tones. Think earthy, like a sage green. In addition to painting walls you can update furniture and make mismatched pieces look cohesive with a coat of espresso, white or vanilla paint.3. Kitchens and baths matter the most. Why are kitchens and baths so important? These are the most expensive rooms to remodel in any home. For this reason and because remodeling them is such a huge job the project is very intimidating. An easy way to spruce up old cabinetry is a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. When in doubt go with brushed nickel. Often for under $100 you can turn your kitchen from an “uh oh” into an “oh wow”.4. Go shopping. Adding new bed linens, shower curtains and towels throughout the house makes everything feel fresh and inviting. Just like when you enter a beautiful hotel suite. A terrific tip is to head out to your favorite shopping spots and look for bedding that’s on sale or clearance. Then choose a paint color to coordinate. A gallon of paint costs the same no matter the color and it’s much easier to match. You can even take your new bedding to the paint store to have it matched.5. Make it look larger. Getting rid of excess furniture and accessories helps make a space look larger and square footage is what sells. Bless a friend or put favorite pieces in storage. Remember buyers are looking at the house not your furniture. Getting rid of excess also applies to closets and other storage areas such as the garage. Overflowing closets will make buyers think the house lacks ample storage and keep them from making an offer.6. Remove. When your house is on the market you want potential buyers to be able to see themselves living in your house. Be sure to remove family photos, religious items, awards and too taste specific décor.7. Clean it. Having a clean house is one of the most important things you can do. This means deep cleaning and then keeping it clean. If you don’t like to clean or the job seems overwhelming call a couple of cleaning services. You might find out the time and aggravation you’ll save is worth the cost. While it may seem daunting at the outset completing these seven steps will make your home stand out from the crowd. This means a sold sign on the lawn and more money in your pocket. Click here for a printer friendly copy. Written by home staging expert Chris Twing of Twing Staging & Redesign.© Copyright Twing Staging & Redesign. www.twingstaging.com