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"I'm Living Here!!!....How Clean does my House have to be if I'm Selling it???

By Linda D. Pufford

Home Stager with Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging

February 16, 2011 05:33 PM

"I'm Living Here!!!....How Clean does my House have to be if I'm Selling it???

In my opinion as a Home Stager your home should be as "Clean as Clean" can be, if you are getting ready to put it on the market!!! The #1 thing to do if you are parparing your home for sale, is to "Clean and De-Clutter", "Organize" and make your home look as "Neat" and "Well Cared For" as possible. Buyer's are looking for a "Lifestyle" not just a home. They are looking for a way of life that is "Desirable" to them... possibly better than what they already have and live in now! Let your home be the one that buyer's fall in love with and can envision themselves living in!

You might ask where do I begin? Here is a checklist from HomeGain . Each year they do an indepentant study to show Homeowners the Top 10 D-I-Y Home Improvement Projects. Clean and De-Clutter came in as #1 on the 2011 Top 10 Home Improvements that resulted in the greatest return.

Clean and De-Clutter

Average Investment $ 209.00
Home Price Increase $1,990.00
Return on Investment 586%
Recommended 99%

Clean and De-Clutter Checklist

Organize closets, storage rooms and areas
Polish woodwork, metel and glass/mirrors
Clean windowsills, doorsills and shelves
Remove all of your personal possessions
Keep screens cleaned and vacuumed
Make stairwells and corridors clutter-free
Get rid of odors (pet, food, smoke)
Gid rid of all items on front and back porch
Clean the entryway carefully; it creates the buyers first interior impression of your home
Clean the inside of all Kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and neatly organize items on shelves
Ensure all doors, cabinets, and drawers can open completely, without any blockage
Romove appliances from kitchen counters to give a look of spaciousness
Make bathrooms sparkle; sinks, toilets and tubs should be immaculate
Hire a professional to thoroughly clean the interior of your home
Keep bookshelves and entertainment units organized neatly
Remove excess furniture to give your home a spacious look

Here are a few before and after pictures of our Home Staging "Cleaning and De-Cluttering".

Entryway - Before Home Staging

Entryway - After Home Staging - Entryways are the buyers first interior impression of the Home!

Hall Linen Closet - Before Home Staging

Hall Linen Closet - After Home Staging - Organize items in closets by folding towels and using baskets or bins to help Organize small items

Child's Bedroom - Before Home Staging - Pick up clothes and toys off the floor to help make the room look spacious.

Child's Bedroom - After Home Staging - Removing the stickers from the dresser can give the furniture a fresh new look!

Master Bedroom - Before Home Staging

Master Bedroom - After Home Staging - Give your Master Bedroom a look and feel of a Retreat - Make Beds before leaving the house will help pull the room together before a showing.

Home Office - Before Home Staging

Home Office - After Home Staging - Clean up Clutter and Organize each room

By looking at the Photos, viewing the examples, reading the checklist and seeing the percentage of ROI, can you afford not to Clean, De-Clutter and Improve the look of your Home?

"You never get a second chance... to make a Great First Impression!"

Linda D. Pufford, ASPM, IAHSP

Accredited Staging Professional MASTER

707.217.0817

Serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area

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Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Suzanne, Thank you so much for the kind words of encouragement. It really means a lot to me. As for the clutter.... we packed some of it away and did some rearranging with the things that the homeowners wanted to keep... The homeowners were so thrilled with the results.... and I have gotten several referrals from them. They have really become wonderful friends. Thank you for stopping by...it's always nice to see you. Thank you also for suggesting!!!

Feb 19, 2011 10:53 AM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Incredible! Love how the office came out and love the linen closet.

Congratulations. Your home staging is being featured in the group Staging Before and After Pictures.

Kathy

Feb 19, 2011 11:54 PM

Mary Lou Teague

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN

Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN

Great Points !! Wish I could have this to have each and every one of my sellers read...You have done a great job with this post...

Feb 20, 2011 01:50 AM

Mary Lou Teague

HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN

Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN

For such an informative post, thanks for sharing, you have received a gold star from STAGING STORIES !!! Mary Lou Teague

Feb 20, 2011 01:52 AM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Linda, great post and love the before and after photos...

Feb 20, 2011 12:50 PM

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Awesome transformation - I think I should put my home on the market just to motivate me to get it looking that good!

Feb 20, 2011 03:58 PM

Michelle Finnamore

Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON

Preparing your property for sale

Oh my gosh! It still baffles me how people let their homes get the better of them. Every closet needs baskets, ones with straight sides so that you can fit more in and the items don't topple over every time you take one thing out.

I think it was brilliant of you to show foyers that have been decluttered. With the advent of home owners using their garage entrance instead of the front door, that area becomes a dumping ground I find. Great before and afters.

Feb 21, 2011 10:10 AM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Kathy, Buyers are always checking out pantry's, cupboards, and closets. We always try to address those areas when we are staging occupied homes. Thanks so much Kathy for the feature... I really appreciate it so much and I am very honored!

Feb 21, 2011 04:22 PM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Mary Lou, Thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words. Thank you also for the GOLD STAR from the group STAGING STORIES!!! I am so thrilled and very honored!!!

Feb 21, 2011 04:25 PM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Rebecca, Always nice to see you.... thanks so much for stopping by and for your continued support!!!

Feb 21, 2011 04:27 PM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Georgina, What a great idea! Can I come help??? Thanks for the very kind and sweet comment!

Feb 21, 2011 04:29 PM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Michelle, I agree with you about the baskets... they make everything look so neat and tidy. The first interior impression is very important and has to stand out to set the mood with buyers so they are intrigued and want to see the rest of the house. Thank you so much for the encouraging words and for stopping by.

Feb 21, 2011 04:38 PM

Anna Dovger

Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX

Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Linda, great title and nice pictures to support. I like that you showed closet because for many people cleaning and de-cluttering means tucking everything out of the way in to their closets . This way buyers don't see enough of storage space.

Feb 22, 2011 05:15 AM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Anna, You are so right! Under the beds and in the closets are catch alls for clutter... but buyers like to know they will have adequate storage when purchasing a new home. Thank you for very nice words of encouragement. I really appreciate them and you. Thanks for stopping by... it's always nice to see you!

Feb 22, 2011 05:29 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Just stopping by to wish you a great day!

Life is good!

Feb 23, 2011 11:05 PM

Joshua Zargari

MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY

MJ Decorators Workshop

Good morning Linda, you are so right...A clean and organized home will sell faster.

Great work!

Feb 24, 2011 07:23 PM

Tori Toth

Tori Toth, International - Howard Beach, NY

888.667.6643 NYC & Beyond, HSR, SAR, RESA, LIBOR

great information, and it needs to stay majorly cleaned. I try and implement some organizing solutions when dealing with owner occupied homes. Like the basket idea in your closet pictures.

Feb 25, 2011 07:55 AM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Roy, Thank you.... it is always nice to see you!!! I hope you have a great day as well!

Mar 06, 2011 09:06 AM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Joshua, Yes, when a home is clean and well organized it presents itself as a well maintained home. Buyers are really looking for a turn key home to purchase! Always nice to see you thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

Mar 06, 2011 09:08 AM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Tori, I agree... owner occupied homes have more of a challenge keeping their homes looking fresh and clean... baskets help closets look good as well as organizing bins in cupboards and cabinets. Nice to see you Tori, thanks for stopping by.

Mar 06, 2011 09:16 AM