There are a few things I learned in my earlier career as a set decorator in NYC, doing commercials and TV shows that help me in my real estate career.
Here are a few inexpensive tips, if the home is vacant and you cannot afford to stage the entire home. (Here in San Diego this can be very pricey).
One thing I do when staging a home to sell is always bring in flowers. Potted plants to brighten up the exterior makes a tremendous difference in how people perceive the home. Is it happy? Is it neglected?
When taking pictures I bring in lots of additional lamps, have you ever scene films by Woody Allen, almost all his interior scene are lit by lamp, it creates mood and depth in the photgraphs. Overhead lighting, does not film as well. It can create a flat look.
A few brightly colored bottles and a book of recipes on a stand can brighten up a vacant kitchen.
I recently to a new listing where the people who owned the home smoked and they had repainted the enrire home but left up some older drapery. Down that came - and up went the windows. Fortunatley the home is in Southern CA so I can leave all the windows in the house open all the time. Although this might not work in many other parts of the country. I loved what I read from an earlier posting about putting dryer sheets in the heating screen to leave a nice subtle scent within the house.
I have heard about people buying furniture and storing it in their garage for the occasions of home staging. I think this is a great idea, but since I have a garage filled up with old doll houses and I don't know what else - this doesn't work for me.
And Clean, Clean,Clean! When I have an open house I always bring windex and do what I can while I am there and no clients are. It is good in case sellers are looking fo ran agent - they see how you take care of the house you list and it is good for the house itself.
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