Check out these great No Cost Tips for Staging Your Home
Staging a home for sale, or even sprucing one up that's not on the market, doesn't mean money has to be spent.
Here are TEN things that can be done at no cost:
Curb Appeal Enhancement - first impressions are critical, and curb appeal, or lack thereof, is the key. Mow the lawn, weed, rake, trim edges and overgrown bushes and trees, clean windows, hose down (or power wash) the exterior, entry way area and walkways, remove cobwebs, clean the gutters, store garbage cans neatly, and remove children's toys and bikes.
Declutter - most people have too much "stuff". Whether you are moving or not, divide things into four piles: Keep, Discard, Donate and Store. If you are selling, now is the time to begin packing because you will need to do it anyway. Also, this is the time to pack away family photos, artwork and trophies - buyers can't imagine themselves living there when it seems like somebody else lives there! Do one room at a time if it feels overwhelming, and don't forget closets, kitchen cabinets, garage, basement, shed and attic.
Clean, clean, clean - no one wants to walk into a dirty home, not a buyer nor neighbors or family. Especially if the home is on the market, clean everywhere, not just the surfaces - windowsills, behind the toilet and sink, moldings, bookshelves. Bathrooms and kitchens are particularly important.
Lighten and Brighten - beginning with cleaning the windows, do all you can to let in as much natural light as possible. Trim overgrown bushes and trees that are blocking the windows. If the home is for sale, one trick is to remove the screens. Replace all burned out bulbs, and swap out lower wattage ones for higher wattage ones (of course, using compact fluorescent lighting where possible).
Eliminate odors - just as no one wants to walk into a dirty home, no one wants to walk into a smelly one either. Asking a good friend to come over for a smell test is a good idea since our noses get used to odors. Cleaning is a good start to eliminating odors, but if the home is for sale, refrain from smoking, minimize cooking and bring pets and their belongings to a friend or a kennel during showings.
Depersonalizing - You may be proud of photos of your children, their artwork, your trophies and diplomas, as well as your collection of antique salt and pepper shakers, but buyers will not be able to imagine themselves living in your home if your home reminds them too much of YOU!
Define the space - . while the dining room works perfectly well for you as your home office, once the home is on the market, you don't want buyers to be left to figure out that the space with the desk and computer in it is actually a dining room or dining area. And the living room should be just that, a place to entertain and relax - not a play or storage area for children's toys. This will lead buyers to think there's inadequate space or storage for their children.
Basic maintenance and repairs - don't think that buyers won't notice a light switch that doesn't work, a drip in the tub, or a cabinet door that doesn't shut properly. Buyers will think two things: 1) "If the owner can't fix these minor things, what larger problems does this house have?" and, 2) "I wonder how much I can deduct from the asking price because of all of these needed repairs?".
Master Bedroom - Bedrooms should feel like sanctuaries for rest and relaxation. Think HOTEL when reviewing and enhancing yours. Make sure it's easy to walk around the bed, so get rid of excess furniture. Clear nightstands and dressers of clutter. Make sure linens are clean and fresh and the bed neatly made. Closets must be clean, organized and as sparsely filled as possible. Let in the natural light.
Kitchens and bathrooms ...sell houses. We've all heard this before. Both should be sparkling clean. Clear the kitchen counters of clutter, including appliances. It will make the counters appear to be more spacious. Go through the kitchen cabinets and discard or pack away unused items, neatly place remaining items and even go so far as to organize pantry items such as jars, boxes and spices by type and size, with labels all facing out. Take the magnets and everything underneath them off the refrigerator. Bathrooms should appear as if they belonged in a hotel, so that means storing away your shampoo and toiletries during showings, and displaying the nice, fluffy show towels. Toilet lid down and wastebaskets emptied. Plungers and cleaning supplies off the floor.
Contact Pearle Staging & Design for all your Home Staging and Interior Design needs. www.pearlestaginganddesign.com
877-721-9987
