Stage your House Before you Put Your House Up For Sale

If your goal is to sell your home as quickly as possible, one of the best ways to achieve that goal is to stage your home. Staging is the process of presenting your home in its best light, making it more appealing to potential homebuyers. If you have no idea how to get started, you either can learn more on-line or hire a professional. If you prefer to stage your house on your own, you need to know the basic thought process behind it. Staging is more than just cleaning and organizing your home to make it presentable. It is putting yourself in the potential buyer's shoes when looking at your home. Realize that if you were checking out homes to buy, you would not buy one that seemed cramped, cluttered, and possibly decorated in a manner that you find unappealing.

Your Home Should be Inviting

Look at Exterior/Curb Appeal: When discussing curb appeal, you must make sure your trim is painted and not chipping. Consider applying a new coat of stain to any decks, sheds or porches. Remove weeds from flowerbeds and make sure you keep your lawn mowed. New mulch around trees and in gardens makes your home look well cared for. Make sure your exterior lighting works properly, especially if showing your home in the evening. Studies show that red front doors draw buyer's attention more than any other color.

Remove Clutter: Go through every room in your home and package any personal items. An excessive amount of knick-knacks, paintings, books or photographs can make rooms seem smaller and less appealing. You should leave some furniture in all rooms, but items left out on your tables should be kept to a minimum. Candles and bowls of potpourri are good items to keep out.

Your Home Can Never be Too Clean

Consider New Paint: Every room in your home should have a new coat of paint on the walls, window trim and ceiling unless you have recently painted. Buyers hate spending time repainting rooms before they can unpack, they prefer buying a home that is move-in ready. It is also proven that most home buyers detest bold colors. Stick to neutrals at all times.

Clean Everything: Burned-on grease in your oven, a dirty bathtub, stains in the toilet - these are all items that will drive buyer's away. Spend time cleaning every surface in your home, including the floor around your toilets. Rent a carpet cleaner and give your carpeting a thorough cleaning. Top carpet manufacturers recommend steam cleaning your carpeting every three months, so odds are that you are overdue anyway. Use the upholstery brushes to steam clean your sofa if necessary.

Keep Your Eye on the Small Things, Too

Consider the Small Details: When you've finished cleaning, add vases of colorful flowers to add a homey feel to your rooms. Not only do the flowers add a clean fragrance to your home, but also they will draw the buyer's eye to the potential of your home.

Keep Rooms Well Lit: Natural lighting is a key selling point. Make the most of your windows and remove bulky curtains to allow as much sunlight in as possible. This is especially true in northern climates where winter months create a dreary atmosphere. Well-placed candles can also help illuminate darker rooms.

Make the Most of a Home's Space: Do you have a room you use strictly for storage? It's time to clean it up and give the room a true use. Turn your den into an office or guest room to attract buyers. Bonus rooms can be quickly turned into a warm friendly reading room with the addition of an overstuffed chair or two and a bookshelf.

Consider Renting Furniture: If you have mismatched furniture, you'll lure buyers by having new, matching furniture sets. There are many furniture rental stores throughout the country where you can spend a little money and have brand new furnishings to liven up your main living areas.

With a little time and hard work, you can stage your home by yourself within a few days. Buyers will appreciate your work, and you'll enjoy getting top dollar for your home.

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