Tips for Staging Your Home For Sale
The For Sale sign is in the front yard. The house is clean and the lawn is mowed. Everything seems ready for prospective buyers to walk in and fall in love with your home. An offer for your asking price is imminent. That is the way it is supposed to work, but many sellers will attest to the fact that it's not always that easy. In this current market it is important to "stage" your home, showing it in the best way possible.
The local real estate market fortunately has not been impacted by the current economic downturn to the devastating extent of other cities. But that doesn't mean buyers aren't being picky. With more long-term intentions and less money available for home improvement loans, buyers are taking a closer look at potential homes. It has been said that a home shopper forms an opinion in the first two minutes, which means a seller has to have their house ready from the second someone pulls up to the curb.
Do you need an expert to stage your home? Not necessarily. In fact, you already have an expert on hand. Your real estate agent has been in and out of many homes and he or she knows what buyers like and what they react to negatively. It is a good idea, however, to ask a friend or relative whose opinion you value to walk through and give you an objective point of view. What may look like the perfect room to one family is a deal breaker to another.
Inside the Home
Walk room-to-room and look carefully with a checklist in hand:
* Paint/Wallpaper condition
* Personal items (like photos, books, knick-knacks, etc)
* Condition of furniture and fixtures
* Placement of furniture
* Lighting
* Best feature of the room
* Worst feature of the room
* Repairs needed
After noting the specific condition of each room, first make a list of simple changes that can be made. A fresh coat of paint in a soft neutral color can make a huge difference in a room, particularly a focal room like the living room or kitchen. Removing old wallpaper and repainting is always worth the effort.
Simplify and depersonalize by removing family pictures and sentimental objects. Store the old shabby chair and extra television set. Keep personal items like cosmetics, bathroom supplies, or toys in containers that are easy to take in out of a cabinet. Keep a few cleaning supplies in a tub under the sink, so a quick clean up is easy to accomplish when someone calls to come see the house.
Emphasize the assets of a room, such as big windows or beautiful hardwood floors. Arrange the furniture to give the house and open feel and make it easy for people to walk through a room. Flowers belong in the garden not on the drapes or bed coverings, so choose neutral curtains and bedspreads to draw attention to the room not the decorating.
Stow away and de-clutter, but don't cram it in. You don't want to make it look like storage is an issue. It may be worth the money to rent a small storage unit. While your home may not feel as cozy to you, be assured that you will soon by settling into a new house with all your favorite possessions.
Outside the Home
A few flowers or healthy plants in attractive containers at the entrance are always a good idea. Curb appeal really does matter, so take the time to keep the lawn mowed, hedges trimmed and front walk clear of debris. A little effort on your part to stage your home inside and out, can bring big returns in a quicker sale.
About Author
Ki is a realtor in the austin real estate market. His site provides a interactive search of the Austin MLS along with general information about Austin real estate. His site also has a page where webmasters can download a mortgage rates widget.
Source: ArticleTrader.com
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