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. 

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Written by home staging expert Chris Twing of Twing Staging & Redesign.© Copyright Twing Staging & Redesign.  www.twingstaging.com