Set The Stage Design Services, Inc.        

Quick TIPS FOR STAGING YOUR HOME

Always look for a Professional Home Stager  

Get Ready to move.....Start Packing!

OUTSIDE

The first impression, or ‘curb appeal,’ is very important.  The first picture on the multiple listing is the outside of your house.  If the buyers don't like what they see on the internet - they won't even give your listing a second click.  Buyers are making up their minds as they are driving to your front door and since you don't want them to do a "drive-by", the all-important first step is to make the outside of your house shine.

• Go around the perimeter of the house.

Remove all garbage cans, discard wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., to the garage or, if applicable, take them to the dump.

• Check gutters and roof for dry rot and moss. Make sure they are swept & cleaned.

• Look at all plants. Plants are like children…they grow so fast. Prune bushes and trees.

Keep plants from blocking windows: “You can’t sell a house if you can’t see it!”

• Remove any dead plants, weed all planting areas and put down fresh mulching material.

• Keep your lawn freshly cut, edged and fertilized during the growing season.

• Clear patios or decks of all small items, such as little planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbeques, toys, etc.

• Check the condition of the paint on your home, especially the trim and the front door.

INSIDE

. Your house should be "Q-tip" clean.  That means everything needs to sparkle - everyday.  Windows, light fixtures, bathroom caulking.  And in working order!

• Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house.

Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items. In general, a sparsely decorated home helps the buyer mentally ‘move in’ with their own things.  In other words - de-clutter!!  This also means to de-personalize and take down family photos and memorabilia.

• Rearrange or remove some of the furniture in your home, if necessary.

Many times home owners have too much furniture in a room. When it comes to selling your home, thin out overcrowded rooms to make the rooms appear larger.  Traffic flow is important - make sure people can move about your house easily.

• Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops.

If it hasn’t been used for three months…put it away! Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, magnets, pictures, etc.

• In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from the countertops, tub, shower stall and commode top.

 Keep only the most necessary cosmetics, brushes, perfumes, etc., in one small group on the counter. Coordinate towels in one or two colors only.

• Take down, reduce, or rearrange pictures and objects on walls.

Patch or repaint walls if necessary.

• Review the house interior, room by room, and:

1. Paint any room needing paint.

2. Clean carpet and drapes if needed.  It is better to replace worn carpeting than give a decorating allowance which is generally more than the cost of replacement, and NEVER give a prospective buyer an excuse to negotiate down on the price of the house.

3. Clean windows.

• If you need room to store extra possessions use the garage or rent a storage unit.

• Leave on certain lights during the day (your home stager will show you which ones).

During showings turn on ALL lights and lamps.  And equally as important - open every window covering that is not camouflaging an unsightly view.  Less is NOT more when it comes to light and bright.

• Play light FM music every day in the house, for all viewings.

IN GENERAL:

Try to look at your house “through a buyer’s eyes,” as though you’ve never seen it before. This exercise will help you see what needs to be done. Any time and money invested on these items will usually bring you the return of more money and a quicker sale.

Working together, you and your Accredited Staging Professional™

make a WINNING TEAM!