"Home Staging is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money." Home staging – Wikipedia

There are a number of excellent professional staging companies who have been very successful in getting a home sold quickly and many times with multiple offers. They have an eye as to what areas of a home should be highlighted and what areas need to be downplayed.  My daughter used a stager when she sold her condo and for a few hundred dollars she was given a checklist of things she should focus on. The list included items neither one of us every considered but made a huge difference.  She sold in a week at close to list price.  The cost can vary depending on your budget.  Most professionals will shop accessories for you or utilize items they have in their warehouse. As in my daughter’s case, a simple checklist and a few accessory items and she was good to go.

If hiring someone is not financially feasible, then here are a few tips to get you started:

• Boost curb appeal – power wash siding and walkways; put in fresh mulch; plant blooming flowers; repaint and freshen the front door.
• Have a welcoming front porch even if it is only a stoop –purchase a new welcome mat and if there is room, add a potted plant. (This is where your buyer will make their first impression. As the agent is working the lockbox, the buyer will be taking it all in....make it pop!)
• Give your home a thorough cleaning – this is spring cleaning on steroids. Buyers are going to be looking at everything from baseboards to ceiling fans. Make your home sparkle!
• Declutter – Now is the time to purge even if it means offsite storage (or in my case my parents’ home while they were in Florida for the winter). Clean and clear surfaces, closets, and tucked away storage areas. Pack up your off season clothing as well as remove larger pieces of furniture that really cramp the room. (I had a client with a second dining room table tucked in the corner of her living room because she just couldn’t part with it.) You want the home to look spacious and not lacking of storage space.
• Pet and Smoke Odors – Nothing can turn a buyer off faster than odors. Many will turn around in the foyer and go back to the car. Although it is impossible to avoid when being a pet owner, try to minimize it the best you can ... and be prepared for a price reduction if carpets or flooring need replaced.
• Choose neutral colors – The bold wall colors that reflect your personality may be a bit overwhelming to buyers. Yes, they can easily paint it. However, most buyers want a home move in ready with a palate that works for them. Go neutral so they can visualize living there.
• Tidy up – This may seem obvious, but trust me it is not. When showing your home, tidy all rooms as though company were coming - kitchen counters cleared off, bathrooms orderly and clean, children’s toys put away, beds made, clothes hung up or in the hamper, and all lights turned on. I’ve shown homes with unmade beds, under clothing on the floor, dirty dishes in the sink, and one time a person in bed with the covers pulled tightly over their head ... needless to say that was a quick visit!

The more stunning your home, the longer the buyer will linger. I’ve even had people so in love with the condition of a home that they tried to figure out a way to make it work even though the home didn’t have their key features. Give me a call if you’d like more ideas in preparing your home for sale. We can go through your home together and put a plan in place. If a professional stager sounds intriguing, I can provide you with a few names to call and interview.

Visit Dawn's Website
Dawn@DawnLawson.com