| Before You Stage your Home FOR SALE It's that time of year again, FOR SALE signs are popping up in yards all around town. Home owners can use many of the same principles interior designers use for staging and styling model homes. Here are a few tips to command a higher price and quicker sale: Make your home look like a model home. 1. Allow potential buyers to project their personalities into your home and mentally move in. This is accomplished by the Unclutter, Dejunk Law!!!. Throughout your entire house remove your collections, small items sitting on tables, countertops, nightstands and bookcases. Your treasures are usually just clutter to the potential buyer; plus valuables are always safer when packed away. Remove as much as you possibly can. Then remove some more. Get a jump start on your move, use large Tupperware bins or cartons for packing. Pick up boxes from grocery stores. The best boxes are the sturdy ones with covers used for shipping apples andoranges. Unclutter, Dejunk! Less is more! 2. CLEAN, CLEAN and CLEAN. There are two kinds of clean. First there is, it's clean enough for us. And there's I-want-to-sell-my-house clean. CLEAN...do it yourself, or hire a service. Elementary concept you say? See if you pass the clean test. Invite your mother in law, friends or enemies with white gloves to inspect. They will tell you what was missed. Truly, we can not stress enough the importance of clean. Presenting a clean home to a buyer, shows them the home has been valued and well cared for. Dirt costs you money. 3. Look at your bathroom. The Unclutter Dejunk Law again. Dehumanize as much as possible. Countertops, the tub and shower area should be clear of all grooming items. Buy a few new towels and a shower curtain. The new towels are a great way to play down bright colors or add interest to neutrals. We always take this opportunity to incorporate current color trends adding an updated look. Check the toilet seat, it may need replacing. Add a live plant or fresh flowers and scented soaps. Gentlemen, lid closed! 4. Make rooms visually larger by rearranging or removing excess furniture. Many of our clients rent storage lockers to comply with the Unclutter Dejunk Law. 5. The heart of the home, the kitchen. Clear off the counters, organize all cupboards and drawers. Add drawer organizers to suggest efficient use of space. Neat, organized shelves and drawers fool the eye by appearing larger. Store seldom-used small appliances and large baking pans.(Tupperware or packing boxes) Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. Prop a cookbook open. Place a clear glass bowl of fresh lemons on the counter to provide a fresh and pleasant aroma. Run a lemon through your garbage disposal before each showing. Dab extract of vanilla on a few light bulbs for the aroma of goodies baking in the oven. 6. Let the sun shine in. Open all blinds, shades and drapes. Reinspect your windows, they shouldsparkle and shine. Replace all light bulbs with maximum wattage. 7. Children's bedrooms also must adhere to the Unclutter Dejunk law. Teen rooms - remove any possibly offensive items such as posters. With young children too many toys is common. Make a game out of packing toys for the new house. Sing a silly song " knick nacks, paddy wacks, pack them all away!" You want your home to look good and feel good to the prospective buyer. No one wants to buy a run-down, dirty home except at a bargain price! Good housekeeping, upkeep and an open, spacious feeling brings top dollar and faster sale. A small investment of time and a few hundred dollars can pay big dividends in a fast, full-price sale! www.thebeanbagstore.com |
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