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Lancaster County Staging Tip #1

By
Real Estate Agent with Weichert Realtors - Engle & Hambright

Lancaster County Staging Tip #1

LOSE THE CLUTTER!

Nothing is worse to a prospective buyer than walking into a home and seeing piles of well...junk. Stacks of paper on countertops, piles of clothes thrown in a corner, and overflowing trash bins just don't communicate "buy me". What it does imply is that the home is not very well taken care of and that is the last impression you want to make!

Overwhelmed at the idea of clearing off your desk or emptying your junk drawer? Then a simple solution is to put your stacks of paper, unopened mail, and piles of bills in a decorative storage container. These practical and pretty containers are easy to find at your local Target or Wal-Mart and are inexpensive to purchase so there's no excuses!

Don't forget that clutter also includes all those treasured collections filling every bookshelf, all the knick-knacks and chatchkis on display, and even the prized artwork covering your walls. Yes, all these items mean something to you but to a prospective buyer they can make your space appear visually smaller and can distract them from other highlights of your home. Try paring down your collections and artwork to just a few, basic pieces that coordinate and just go ahead and pack the rest! Hey, this way you'll be ahead of the game come moving day!

The important thing to remember is that clutter only distracts potential buyers and makes the whole process of selling your home take that much longer! Your mantra needs to be "LESS is BEST!" Stage your Lancaster County home by losing the clutter and gaining the attention of buyers!

Posted by

 

Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Lisa~ Clutter is a huge deterent to selling a home.  I think the sense of smell is next and if it smells bad, it won't sell!

Nov 22, 2009 01:25 PM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Lisa~ Clutter is a huge deterent to selling a home.  I think the sense of smell is next and if it smells bad, it won't sell!

Nov 22, 2009 01:25 PM
Carol Pease
JP & Associates Realtors - Bastrop, TX
CRS, Broker-Associate 512-721-6320

Before I put my own home on the market,  I rented a storage unit and put everything in there that I thought was clutter.   The house sold in 2 weeks and all the agents thought I lived in a model home.  He he.

Nov 22, 2009 01:30 PM
Lisa Garcia
Weichert Realtors - Engle & Hambright - Lancaster, PA

Vickie ~ Couldn't agree more! A home that has a strong odor is a home a buyer has a very hard time imagining themselves living in!

Nov 22, 2009 01:34 PM
Lisa Garcia
Weichert Realtors - Engle & Hambright - Lancaster, PA

Great idea Carol! A storage unit is a must have for some sellers...and what proves it more than a home sold in two weeks! :)

Nov 22, 2009 01:41 PM
Palm Properties
Palm Properties - Palm Springs, CA

Lisa, I agree - keep it simple and uncluttered because many times the buyers want to envision their belongings in the home!

Nov 22, 2009 01:54 PM
Darrell Backen
Darrell Backen 1.855.216.6010 - Vancouver, BC
Digital Marketing

My wife would love your style. She is always de cluttering my office.

Nov 22, 2009 02:22 PM
Lisa Garcia
Weichert Realtors - Engle & Hambright - Lancaster, PA

Darrell ~ Hey, at least you have someone doing it for you, right?

Nov 22, 2009 10:09 PM
Gary Swanson
Century 21 Harris & Taylor - Grants Pass, OR

Lisa, you are so right.  So many people are unable to see beyond the clutter, it changes their focus from the home to the "stuff."  Using decorative boxes to put your office clutter in is a terrific idea.  I would work well for the kids toys too.

Nov 23, 2009 03:56 AM
Lisa Garcia
Weichert Realtors - Engle & Hambright - Lancaster, PA

Gary~ I agree, I've got three young ones at home and finding attractive yet practical storage solutions for all their toys is a must!

Nov 23, 2009 03:13 PM