My dog wears bandanas. I just think she looks cute that way. Thinking about her bandanas got me to thinking about home staging, and I will get to that, but first let me tell you about my dog.
I walk Paris everyday, and it is not unusual for a driver to slow and take a long look at my dog because she is an uncommon breed. Or at least in these parts she is uncommon. Paris is a whippet. A whippet looks exactly like a greyhound only smaller. This is not to be confused with the Italian greyhound, which is even smaller. Paris is a medium size dog. She weighs about 30 pounds.
She is also an unusual color, mostly white, but with large patches of tan and brindle. These are very pale colors and the fur is short. Besides other whippets I have never seen a dog with her coloring. She looks especially adorable in pink.
Now back to the bandanas. It seems when most people see a dog wearing a bandana, their hearts melt just a little more than usual. A bandana-wearing dog also usually says something about the owner. I think what it says is that the owner pays a lot of loving attention to the dog. (This is not to sugget all pet lovers should run out and buy bandanas, it just happens to be my thing). However, should Paris ever (heaven forbid) get lost, people would know before they even looked at her tags that this is a much loved dog.
Now lets talk about home staging. Let's say you live in a neighborhood where all of the homes are very much alike. Maybe they are even "cookie cutter"homes. It was probably a great starter home for you, however you are now ready to move on. Now is the time to "give your home a bandana". You need to show prospective buyers you have a much loved home that has recieved a lot of thoughtful attention. You can bet that if another home in your neighborhood is for sale, the buyers will be looking at that home as well as yours. Make sure your home is the extra special one that has been well maintained.
This is where attention to detail comes in. Paint is by far the easiest and most economical way to make a statement. Just be sure to make a change from what the builder put in every house in the heighborfgood, while at the same time keeping the colors neutral in order to please the majority of people. Neutral can be many shades of tans and grays or even soft shades of green. Don't think you have to forsake richness in order to stay neutral. I am not talking about "BBB", blah boring beige.
Following is a list of other easy ways to show your home has been well maintained:
Make sure the mailbox at the street is freshly painted or replaced.
Numbers on the curb or entrance also should be freshly painted or replaced.
The front porch area should be free of spider webs and leaves.
If you make note of when you change the AC filter, attach that achedule to the wall or inside door in the furnace closet, along with a small supply of new filters.
Make sure there are no dripping faucets or water stains anywhere.
Make sure every window screen and window sparkles. If you have a very picturesque window, remove the screens and place them in the garage for the new owner. Sparkling views attract buyers, and if the new owner wishes, the screens can be put back on the windows.
Give yourself a start on moving by packing and putting in storage (not the garage!) everything that contributes to crowding or clutter. Even if you are not a "clutter bug", removing 5% of your "stuff" makes your home seem roomier.
Make prospective buyers hearts melt just a little more than usual. Show that your home has been well maintained with loving attention to every detail. Give your home a bandana!
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