Home Staging 101 - a few tips

By Andrew Hill http://newhomes.move.com/

Having trouble moving from “for sale” to “sold”?  In this buyer’s market, you are not alone. But there are a few important steps you can take to help yourself standout from the pack. The best thing to do in nearly every situation will be hiring a realtor. Our knowledge of real estate will always be an asset in the process of staging and marketing your home.

After hiring a Realtor, the next thing you should do to stage your home is improve the exterior. This is, after all, the first thing you’re potential buyer is going to see and you don’t want to start off the transaction on the wrong foot. Mow the lawn, pull the weeds, clean the gutters- all of those chores you hate to do are especially important here. If needed, make sure to give the house a new coat of paint and/or replace any broken windows.

Once you get your shopper through the front door, it’s time to freshen up the inside. One of the first things anyone will notice is your flooring. Tile or wooden floors will be easy enough to clean, but if they are carpeted, you’ve got two options to consider. If the carpet is recently installed, a steam clean will most likely do the job, but if the carpet has been there for a few years, it’s most likely time for new carpeting. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money and this is definitely one of those times.

There is an ongoing debate on how many personal effects should be left in plain sight. While some prefer to hide them all and others say to leave them all out, I tend to go with a middle of the road approach. Leave a few personal items, such as pictures or other family items, but make sure that visitors can easily connect with them. They should speak to the widest possible audience, because you are trying to show them how this could be their new home.

In addition to what they see, the other most important sense is smell. If you smoke, have pets, or just have a home that doesn’t smell too fresh, consider throwing on a new coat of paint. This helps cover up smells that have been absorbed into the walls. Baking cookies and using air fresheners (within reason) can also help.

By following these tips, you can significantly improve the chances of attracting buyers who will be much more interested in purchasing your home. Of course, hiring a Realtor will always be the best way to get your house off the market. For more info on how to sell your home, contact Amy Seaholt or Elena MacPhee, today!