You Only Have One Chance To Make A Great First Impression
Selling a home can be a daunting task in any economy. With today's real estate downturn it can be incredibly difficult to compete with all of the other properties on the market.
It is generally agreed that an investment in updating and/or making your house look fresh and cared for will cost less than your first price reduction. If your house is not appealing to more buyers, you can be sure you'll end up reducing the price.
This lens will show you how to stage your home so that it sells in the shortest period of time for the most money.
How To Stage Your Home For Resale
- What Is Staging?
- A Welcoming Home
- Where Should You Begin Staging Your Home?
- An Inviting Foyer
- What's The First Impression As You Enter The Home?
- It must be white glove clean!
- Before Listing Your Home You Should...
- Packing The Right Way
- An Uncluttered Living Room
- Go Through Each Room With An Objective Eye
- My Closet Before Staging
- Bedroom Closets - Important!
- My Closet After Staging
- Speaking of Closets...
- The Kitchen - Before
- The Kitchen - After
- De-personalize!
- Rent A Storage Unit, Have A Garage Sale, Donate to Charity
- Garage Sale Stuff
- You're Finally "Staged" and Ready To Sell!
- When the Realtor Calls for an Appointment to Show - Set the Stage...
- Need A Reference Book?
What Is Staging?
Staging a home for resale means preparing it so that it will appeal to the most number of buyers.
If it is properly staged your home will sell in less time and for more money! That's a fact.
A Welcoming Home
Where Should You Begin Staging Your Home?
At the front door for Curb Appeal
There are studies that show that buyers will make up their minds whether or not they like a house within one minute of seeing it for the first time.
If the property doesn't look good from the outside, they won't want to see the inside.
- The first thing you need to do is to stand in front of your home to really look at the first impression buyers will have when they first drive up to your home.
- The front door should look fresh and new. If it doesn't look fresh and new, give it a new coat of paint or stain. If the hardware is old, replace it. If the threshhold is in disrepair, replace it.
- Repaint the house and/or the trim, if needed. Potential buyers will want to enter the house if it looks cared for on the outside.
- Is the lawn green and weed-free? Does it need to be mowed and trimmed?
- How about shrubs and trees? Are those that are already growing in good shape or do they need attention?
- If it's growing season be sure to plant flowers. Even a pot or two of brightly colored flowers near the door will let people know that you value your home and want it to be attractive.
- Is the driveway in good condition? How does your mailbox look if it's near the street?
An Inviting Foyer
What's The First Impression As You Enter The Home?
Is Your Entryway Bright and Clean?
When you enter your house, does it appear to be welcoming and bright?
- Clear away any clutter that greets you as you enter the home. Shoes, coats, toys, etc. cluttering up the entry way are definite no-no's.
- Open your entry closet. How does it look? Pack away any out-of-season clothing and remove jackets and other clothing that you don't use on a regular basis. The bigger that closet looks, the better.
- Is the floor nice and clean? Do you have a fresh rug for guests to step on when they enter?
It must be white glove clean!
A sparkling clean home will tell buyers that this home is well-cared for.
Before Listing Your Home You Should...
Start Packing Now!
That's right. Obtain a bunch of moving boxes and pack away anything that you don't need for everyday living. It's especially important for your closets and cupboards to look tidy and spacious and they won't if they're crammed with dishes, linens, clothing, etc.If that task seems daunting just remember that you're going to have to do it sooner or later (preferably sooner, right?) so the sooner you do it the better.
1) Start by determining what you can live without. Do you need your good china? Can you keep two sets of linens for each bed and pack the rest? Do you really have to have ten sets of towels available at all times?
2) How about cooking supplies? If you don't use your waffle iron or crock pot on a regular basis, could you pack those just until you move? If you rarely use them at all, consider selling them in a garage sale or donating them to a shelter.
3) How many toys and books do the kids really have to have at their fingertips? What about books, videos, computer games?
Just take the time to evaluate what you really need and get rid of the rest - one way or another. You will be amazed at how much more organized your house will look.
Packing The Right Way
No more driving all over town asking for boxes from the grocer or liquor store!
SmartPack Solutions LLC has a Moving Box Calculator that will help you determine your needs. Plus they have any kind of box you could possibly need.
Very reasonably priced and Fast Shipping!
An Uncluttered Living Room
Go Through Each Room With An Objective Eye
What can you eliminate?
Check each room to see if it looks cluttered or spacious. Does it need to be freshly painted?
Do you have too much furniture? Can you look at the room and really see the room - not the furnishings in the room?
Is there a beautiful view or a focal point that's hidden?
Try to make the most of the best features of the room such as a fireplace or a lovely view.
For example, my little dining nook has a round table with four chairs and a baker's rack. It's darling. Very Martha Stewart.
BUT: I would need to lose the baker's rack before lising the house.
Why? Because the dining nook will look much larger if that baker's rack is gone.
I also have stacks of cookbooks (very neatly arranged, mind you) on a sideboard. I consider it part of my decorating scheme. Looks good. Plus, I'm a good cook and I use those cookbooks.
BUT: I would definitely need to pack those cookbooks (and lots of other things) before listing the house.
Why? Because, not only will the kitchen look larger but it will be less distracting for a potential buyer.
My Closet Before Staging
Bedroom Closets - Important!
This "Before" picture of my closet shows that I am often in a rush and just shove stuff in there to get it out of the way. So the rest of the room looks nice and tidy. It's a "quick fix".
Well, opening the closet door might indicate to a potential buyer that I'm sloppy about home maintenance - even if I'm not. And I'm not - it's just that I'm not ALWAYS tidy.
But the potential buyer doesn't know me. They can only make a judgement based on what they see when they tour my home.
My Closet After Staging
Speaking of Closets...
By the way, we have two closets in our master bedroom. My husband's closet is a walk-in closet. Yup, he's got twice as many clothes as I do.
His closet needs staging, too...one of these days before we actually put the house on the market I'll do that.
What's the Bottom Line?
Look at your rooms with a very discerning eye. Be as objective as you can. Be ruthless!!
The bottom line is "You will sell your house faster and for more money" if you stage it right!
Overwhelmed By Everything?
Lower Your Stress Level - Hire Help!
Whether it's a quick cleaning before moving in, deep cleaning before moving out, or just all around help with chores around the home, cleaning helpers are at your service!
Don't have the time or physical ability to carry heavy objects? Hire a couple moving helpers to provide moving help for you: (2 Helpers x 4 hours = Approx $120*).
Check it out!
The Kitchen - Before
The Kitchen - After
De-personalize!
Pack away your family photos.
As cute as those kids are, you need to pack up those framed photos.Ditto for your mega collections of Precious Moments or Hotwheels, etc.
Keep a few, if you must, but pack most of your collections away. They will just be distractions and that's a bad thing.
You want potential buyers to see and remember the rooms NOT all your personal photos and collectibles. You want the buyer to see how spacious your home is.
You want the buyer to be able to visualize living in that house.
Rent A Storage Unit, Have A Garage Sale, Donate to Charity
In other words, clear out as much as possible...
It's a very good idea to rent a storage unit for all those boxes that you're packing. It's also an excellent place for storing extra furniture.
Not only does this give you the chance for some early packing, but it also will show you that there are lots of you possessions that you really don't need at all. Storing everything for a few weeks gives you time to determine what you really want to move.
So what to do with the furniture, clothing and other things you no longer need or want? Have a garage sale. Or better yet, donate to you local charity store.
Garage Sale Stuff
Everything you sell you won't have to pack!
The key to a successful garage or tag sale is really to price everything right. You'll make more money in the long run and everything will sell faster.
And at this important time - trying to sell your house - time is of the essence!
AVE05480 - Preprinted Garage Sale Labels, Assorted Neon Colors
Amazon Price: $13.15 (as of 01/04/2010) 
MMF Industries 221619003 Steel Cash Box with Lock and Handle in Sand Color
Amazon Price: $37.78 (as of 01/04/2010)
500 Jewelry Price Tags Ring Chain Store Display Sticker
Amazon Price: (as of 01/04/2010)
You're Finally "Staged" and Ready To Sell!
How To Stay Organized
Photo courtesy of REAL ESTAGING
O.K., you've got your house all staged and listed with a realtor. What now?
Keep your house looking clean and tidy and ready to show at a moment's notice.
If you have children, explain to them that it's important to keep their rooms tidy. But first you have to set a good example.
There's a Squidoo Lens with some great advice and easy to implement tips about staying organized including how to deal with dirty dishes, dirty clothes and mail. You'll find it at this link: Home Organization Tips
It's great advice even if you're not moving, actually.
When the Realtor Calls for an Appointment to Show - Set the Stage...
These are tried and true ideas.
Photo courtesy ofGreenbroke
Bake cookies or bread when you know your home is going to be shown. The smell of homemade baked goods is irresistable and gives a warm and cozy impression.
You don't have to bake from scratch...that takes time and is messy. Keep slice and bake cookies or a cookie mix (there are some great cookie mixes out there) in your refrigerator or cupboard. Takes ten minutes to bake a tray of cookies.
Or you could simmer a pot of cinnamon sticks or apple cider spices for a short time.
You can burn a scented candle or two for an hour or so, too, but just make sure it's a "baking" scent. Flowery scented candles might give the impression you're trying to cover up an unpleasant odor.
Keep a basket or a nice lidded box in each of your bedrooms - especially the kids' rooms. It's easy to zip through the room and toss loose items into the box or basket.
Turn on lamps and lights. If you have ceiling fans and it's summer, turn those on, too.
Have a photo album available on the kitchen counter or table with photos of your gardens or your yard at different times of the year. If you have lots of flowering shrubbery like lilacs or hydrangias or flowering trees, be sure to have pictures showing how gorgeous they are when they're in bloom.
Moving extra large items? A car, a boat or maybe a horse?
Need More Help?
These other Squidoo lenses offer great advice and have additional information. Check them out.-
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Need A Reference Book?
3 Steps to Sold: Home Staging Made Easy
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 01/04/2010)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging your Home to Sell
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 01/04/2010)
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Useful tips, constructive criticism and experiences you've had are all welcome here.
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Reply
- Ramkitten Ramkitten Nov 16, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
- Excellent tips! When we bought our first home, we knew we'd be there for at least a couple of years while we did a complete makeover on it, inside and out, but we knew we'd sell it not long after that. Basically, I kept it "staged" the whole time we were there (partly because I prefer my house that way all the time). And the home sold to the first person who looked it and for close to what we were asking, though the economy was already slipping at the time. The things you suggest really do work!
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Reply
- Heather Cook Heather Cook Oct 10, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
- Get a pro stager to do a consult at a minimum before you sell your home! They see things sellers don't - sellers live in the home so they stop seeing things which might be *show stoppers* for buyers. Trust me, its worth the investment!
www.homestagingdesign.ca
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Reply
- GumboWriters123 GumboWriters123 May 7, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
- Terrific lens!Very good
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Reply
- jfield jfield Nov 15, 2008 @ 8:43 pm
- Very good lens. Rolled it to my 2 real estate lenses. Thanks!
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Reply
- bbclarke97 bbclarke97 Sep 24, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
- This is a terrific lens with great information and photos. This book really helped me to stage my home which helped me to get a quick sale.
/bbclarke97.checar.hop.clickbank.net/"target="_top">Home Staging Success
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CherylK
Lensmaster CherylK has been a member since February 3 2008, has rated 1,149 lenses, favorited 903, and has created 53 lenses from scratch. Cheryl Kohan donates their royalties to Acumen Fund and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. This member's top-ranked page is "Simple Steps to Prevent Water Pollution". See all my lenses
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