Staging Tips From The Experts

If your home is going to get a second look from buyers, it needs to make a good first impression.

1. A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects.
2. So does a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door.
3. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves. If it’s winter, shovel the walkways.
4. Put away bikes, trikes, bats, balls, and gloves. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.

Answer these with the hawk-eye vision of the buyer. A buyer can see at 20 feet what most sellers don't often see at two.

1. Are window screens repaired and free of tears?
2. Are garden hoses picked up and neatly stored?
3. Are boats, RV's, old cars and bulky junk items stored or removed from property?
4. Is the roof (shingles) in good shape?
5. Are exterior lighting fixtures clean and in proper working condition?
6. Are house numbers firmly affixed, and easy to find and read from the street?
7. Are drapes, blinds and shutters uniform from street view?
8. Are the windows clean and in good repair?
9. Is the garage clean, organized, and the door closed?
10. Are the porches and doorways clean and inviting?
     

Here's your chance to clean up in real estate. Staging your property to sell transforms your home into a property that presents a dynamic first impression.

1. Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen.
2. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration.
3. Wallpaper is out, and wallpaper borders are really out.  If possible remove most or all of it.
4. A fresh coat of paint in warm neutral colors add charm and value to your property. 
5. Remember, prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look "with a little work."
    

Don’t let little problems detract from what’s right with your home. Consider the following.

1. Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing.
2. Burned out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark.

Cabinets or closet doors that stick in your home,  will also stick in a prospect’s mind. Don’t try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.

Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors. You family has learned to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. But now is the time to remove them.

Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. You probably could or should remove about 50% of your furniture. They’re looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of all unnecessary items.

The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now’s the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity. Think in terms of removing at least 50% of these items as well. That's right, 50%!

Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine.

1. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. This is so important, we're going to repeat it - louder this time. Repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers.
2. When we say clean, we mean 'Q-Tip clean'. Clean those faucets with an old toothbrush and cotton swabs to remove all traces of soap scum and crud.
3. If your budget will allow consider replacing old vanity mirrors with a modern design; and replace old lighting with bright chrome trim. (Brass, gold and polished nickel are already out of fashion.)
4. Clean or replace dingy grout in floor and wall tile.
5. For added allure, display your best towels and mats.
6. First replace that old shower curtain; and then pull it back to one side (curtain-style) and hold it in place with ribbon or decorative rope.
7. Keep used soap bars out of site (replace them with colorful and fragrant specialty bars.)

Buyers will always pay more for a spacious kitchen. Especially one they feel they can move right into and set up shop. Make your kitchen as spacious as possible by removing as many extra cooking utensils, food, and counter-top appliances as you can. The more empty space, the more spacious your kitchen seems - and all those items just remind your buyer of work anyway. Substitute that toaster for a sexy bowl of fresh fruit and a green plant to enhance counter appeal.

Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colorful bedspreads, new throw pillows, and fresh curtains are a must.

• You Can Get The Results You Want By Staging Your Home

  Staging is not about redecorating your entire home. It is about rearranging what you do have and making a few improvements to appeal to more buyers.

  Here are some tips to help you do this yourself. However, if you don’t want to do this yourself, ask your RE/MAX Sales Associate to recommend a professional stager. It can pay for itself by helping sell your home more quickly and for a better price.

  Get - Home Stager's Cheat Sheet

A picture is worth a thousand words. Check out staging techniques and design styles by looking at some examples in our Before & After photos sets.

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