DRESS YOUR HOME FOR SUCCESS

BY FAYE MEYER, HOME STAGER

Staging is dressing your home and creating an atmosphere that will charm buyers and make them want to buy your home. Remember that you will never get another chance to make a first impression and first impressions are what counts! In theory this is not hard or costly, but homeowners find it difficult to see something they love objectively. Preparing is cleaning, de- clutter, painting, and making minor repairs. Staging is making your house look bigger, warmer and brighter. Follow these simple tips and create the competitive edge that will help to sell your home more quickly.

BASIC PREPARATION

·        CLEANING

·        REPAIR

·        ELIMINATE CLUTTER

·        De-PERSONALIZE

STAGING

·       SHOWCASE EACH  ROOM

·       CLEAN OUT CLOSETS, CABINETS AND DRAWERS.

·       WASH ALL THE WINDOWS. INSIDE AND OUT

·       CREATE LIGHT. PEOPLE BUY SPACE AND LIGHT

·       MAKE YOUR HOME AGELESS. IT CAN BE OLD AS LONG AS IT IS A CLASSIC. IF IT IS OLD AND EVERYTHING IN IT IS OLD, THAT IS A HARD SELL

·       LEAVE ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE HOUSE ON, WHEN IT IS BEING SHOWN. PUT BRIGHT LIGHT BULBS IN EVERY SOCKET MADE FOR A BULB.

·       CURB APPEAL, IT IS THE HOMEBUYERS FIRST IMPRESSION ( See Drive-up Appeal )

·       MAKE YOUR ENTRYWAY AS LIGHT AND BRIGHT AS POSSIBLE.

•  DO THE SMELL TEST ( BABIES, ANIMALS,  CIGARETTES) START BY AIRING OUT THE HOME. MOST PEOPLE ARE TURNED OFF BY EVEN THE SMALLEST ODOR. A TRICK IS IF TIME ALLOWS, BAKE COOKIES PRIOR TO SHOWING. ( GET THE READY-MADE KIND AND KEEP THEM IN FRIDG.)

·       USE FLOWERS AND PLANTS

·       SET YOUR HOUSE APART

·       GROOM YOUR YARD . PATIOS AND DECKS

·       LEARN TO LOVE NEUTRAL WALLS

·       IF WEATHER IS WARM ,OPEN THE WINDOWS

·       TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE CARPET

·       CLEAR COUNTERTOPS IN KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS

·       AVOID CONTROVERSY. REMOVE  A DEER HEAD OR PROVOCATIVE BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

·       DO NOT COOK CABBAGE OR ANY OTHER PUNGENT FOOD THAT LEAVES A LINGERING ODOR

·       KITCHENS SELL HOMES. ANYTHING DISPLAYED ON THE FRIG MUST GO, SHELVES AND PANTRIES MUST APPEAR SPACIOUS.

·       DO NOT DISPLAY ANY PERSONAL TOILETRY ITEMS IN BATHROOMS.

DRIVE-UP APPEAL

·       TRIM TREES AND SHRUBS, CLEAN OUT FLOWER BEDS AND INVEST IN A FEW FLATS OF SEASONAL FLOWERS, PAINT THE FRONT DOOR, MAKE SURE DOORBELL IS WORKING PROPERLY, WASH THE MAILBOX, KEEP THE PORCH SWEPT AND GET AN ATTRACTIVE MAT FOR PEOPLE TO WIPE THEIR FEET.