STAGING YOUR HOME

Getting your property ready for professional photographs with some light cleaning, organizing, and painting.

 

The goal is to depersonalize, and de-clutter the home in order for it to show larger and brighter, giving a more spacious feeling to potential buyers.

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In preparing your home for sale, it is eminent to envision your home through the “buyer’s eye”. Fact is, people purchase what they see, not “how it’s going to be”. Now is the time to make your home as buyer-friendly as possible. It needs to be cleared from top to bottom in order to help it sell for the most amount of money.

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The list of things below will help your home show larger and brighter and give a more spacious feeling to potential buyers, giving you an advantage over the competition.

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General

Start by airing out the home. Most people are turned off by even the smallest odor. Odors must be eliminated, especially if you have dogs, cats, or young children in diapers, or if you are a smoker.

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If it has been over a year since the carpets have been cleaned--or if they really need it—now is the time to do it. Bare floors should be waxed or polished, as well.

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Clean and wipe down all stained woodwork including doors and cabinets with a wood maintenance product such as “Old English” or “Liquid Gold.”

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Replace or clean A/C filters. Clean all A/C vents and intake grids.

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Keep A/C set no warmer that 78 degrees and heat no cooler than 69 degrees.

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Use an air freshener (Glade Oil “Plug-ins” “Scentsy” or “Essential Oils”) work well, but try to avoid floral scents as they can be too strong, vanilla is pleasing to most) or fill the house with the pleasant aroma of cinnamon or other fresh scents. This can be done by simply simmering a pan of water and cinnamon on the stove.

 

Repaint walls, if necessary, in a neutral color such as light beige or grey . Paint is your best improvement investment for getting a greater return on your money. Remember, presentation is key.

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Clear window ledges of all objects to give a nice glimpse inside and out.

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Start packing small things up now. When the house sells, you will be glad you prematurely packed and it will make the house look great. The best things to pack are little knick-knacks, miscellaneous things that are not used in the practical sense.

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Keep it simple. Nothing should touch the floor unless it’s a piece of furniture. Remove all baskets, luggage, etc. The more floor space a buyer can see, the bigger the room will appear.

 

Lighting 

Upgrade the wattage in all light fixtures to the highest level safety will allow.  A better option would be to convert to LED bulbs if you haven’t already done so.  Try to avoid the “daylight” light spectrum of bulbs.  Soft white is most attractive.

 

Dust/Wash all light fixtures and fans.

 

Turn on all the lights in the evening to welcome potential buyers.

 

Windows

Dust blinds, windowsills, and plant ledges.

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Remove any cobwebs inside and outside.

 

Clean interior and exterior of all windows and glass doors.

 

Keep all blinds/shades pulled up/open and draperies open to allow maximum light.

 

Carpet  

Steam clean if not replacing.

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Bathrooms 

Clean all tubs, toilets, sinks; shower curtains should be immaculate. No soap film or hair.

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Stow unused shampoos, soaps, scrubbing implements, razors, etc. under sink.

 

Stow laundry hamper in closet.

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Stow wastebasket under sink.

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Rugs/commode lid covers should be removed.

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Store cleaners under sink.

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Streamline counter—1 or 2 decorative items only.

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Linen cabinets should be organized and items reduced.

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Use baskets to hold make-up and toiletries so that after use they can be stored under the counter.

 

Bathtubs, showers, and sinks should be freshly caulked. The grout and tile should be clean and in good condition. There should be no leaks in the faucets or traps. Bleach discolored grout.

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Decorate with towels (one or two colors).

 

Utility Room  

Organize shelves and put away non-cleanser items.

 

Keep area clear of clothes.

 

Pantry/Closet

Thin all closets dramatically and organize remaining items neatly on shelves and be sure to allow space between hanging items. At one very visible spot, leave space, so the rear wall of the closet/pantry will show when the door is opened. Leave a small empty space on each shelf to show potential storage space.

 

Kitchen

Keep all flat surfaces (countertops, appliance tops, and furniture) cleared off as much as possible. Kitchen counters should have very little on them to show that there is plenty of available workspace. Keep appliances stored when not in use.

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Go over the kitchen as if you were a health inspector. Clean the oven, range (new drip pans) and the seal of the dishwasher door.

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Remove all magnets, notes, pictures, etc. from front and sides of refrigerator.

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Stow trash can in pantry or under sink.

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Replace broken appliances and repair squeaks, drips or binds in cabinet drawers.

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If it hasn’t been used in months, put it away!       

 

Living Areas 

Make sure that there is not too much furniture in a room. Select pieces that look best and put others in the garage or storage.

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Depersonalize your home by storing personal photos so that potential buyers may visualize their personal items in the home. Also, patch nail holes and paint. This is probably one of the most important things to a potential buyer!

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Clear away all magazines, books and unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house.

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Add lamps and lighting in dark areas.

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Open the curtains

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Set out some fresh flowers.

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Clean fireplace (where applicable) and remove any items that are in front of it.

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Create an easygoing, relaxed atmosphere in your family room. This is where most families spend their time so make it look GREAT!

 

Bedrooms

The master bedroom is the second most important-to-be appealing room in the house (after the kitchen).

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Define areas (sleeping, dressing, etc.) by furniture arrangement. Keep simply furnished.

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Be sure clothes are hanging up, not lying out in the room.

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Make the closets more appealing by storing off-season clothing elsewhere.

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Here’s a challenge – ask children and teenagers to clean up their rooms, take down posters and open curtains.

 

Exterior

Thoroughly sweep down all exterior sides of house and eaves to clean cobwebs and wasp nests.

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Check for broken roof shingles.

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Put away tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, grills and building materials neatly in the garage (where applicable). Also empty flower pots.

 

Yard  

Keep lawn mowed, trimmed, and edged.

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Trim trees and shrubs.

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Clean out flowerbeds and invest in a few flats of colorful flowers & mulch beds.

 

Front Porch 

Be sure front door area is clean and free of dirt, dust, cobwebs.

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Repaint door and trim if not pristine.

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Add new thick “Welcome” mat and keep it clean.

 

Make sure door, doorknob, doorbell and lock function properly.

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Garage

Clean and re-organize

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Sweep and clean—remove all cobwebs and any oil or grease from floor.

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