Staging your home for sale

“You should detail your house like you’d detail your car if it were for sale.  The cost of staging your home is usually less than your first price reduction!” Barb Schwarz

It's hard to stage your own home, and even harder to find the time when you are busy working, raising the kids, and trying to get ready for your next home.  But when you don't stage the house, you're often throwing money away!  

A staging professional can help - they can be objective about your stuff, set clear goals and timeliness, and make the job their number one priority while you go on with your life.  But if you want to tackle staging on your own, here are some tips to help:

1. 

   Before, this unused guest room hadn't been set up properly.

   

   After, the room showed it's potential as a bright, cheerful space.
   (Makeover by Rivalee Design)

   1.Landscaping - This is the first impression of your home.  Some buyers won’t even go inside the house if the grass is dead and the trees and bushes are overgrown and abandoned. There is no need to re-landscape your yard, but do bring in fresh mulch, trim back the trees and bushes blocking views of (or from) your home, and try to plant some long lasting blooming plants near the front door and walkway.  If you have a lawn, mow it once or even twice a week.  You only get one chance to make that first impression! 
2. 2.Painting - Fresh paint can make an old house fresh, clean and inviting for very little money.  In general you want to choose light, neutral colors - you don’t want any buyer making a list of rooms they’d have to paint before they’d move in. Keep color consistent throughout the home (this doesn’t mean all room must be the same, but there should be an easy flow through the house). 
3. 3.Cleaning - The house MUST be clean and smell fresh. All your personal belongings (laundry, dishes, shoes, mail, toys...) must be put away.  (And don’t just stash it in a closet - buyers look in there too!)  Vacuum the carpets, open windows for fresh air.  Clean the bathroom, especially the toilet and shower, so it sparkles!  The kitchen, too, must be sparkling clean and all pots and pans should be put away.  Make the bed, clear off your night stands.
4. 4.Lighting - Turn on the lights and open all drapes so the house looks as bright and airy as possible.  If you can arrange it, make all showings during daylight hours.  
5. 5.Fixing - Get the to-do list DONE, but don’t waste time, because every day your house is on the market costs you MONEY!  So hire a handyman to fix minor items around the house - railings should be secure, sinks should never drip, door handles should turn easily and doors should open and shut without jamming.  These tiny fixes suggest to a buyer whether or not the home has been cared for, and can make or break a sale!
   Your goal is to freshen and update the space enough to show off its assets and get it on the market ASAP.  Spend your time and money wisely and you'll be taking a much bigger check to the bank!