Category Archives: Selling Property

Simple Staging Tips

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If you are just listing your property for sale, or even if it’s been on the market for a while, consider the following simple tips to make your property present in its best light:

  1. Paint:  Freshen and Neutralize. If you have any walls painted with bold colors, consider repainting them in neutral tones.  Bold colors are not widely appealing, and can distract the buyer from considering your property as a contender.  If your walls are already a neutral color, go through your house with an objective eye, and retouch any areas that may be scuffed or worn.  One often overlooked area for paint is your stair risers.  A fresh coat of paint on your risers makes a big impression.  Same goes for trim around your doors, especially near the door knobs.
  2. Depersonalize: Pack away your family photos. You’d be surprised how often buyers spend time looking at your photos instead of looking at your house.  Eliminate any photos or highly personal objects that draw too much attention.  The idea is for the buyer to picture him/her self in the space, not to get to know your family.  In general, de-cluttering your home gives the impression of increased space.
  3. Bedding and Slip Covers:  A little goes a long way. We get so used to our own furniture and bedding, that we may not realize that it is starting to look worn.  A simple an inexpensive way to freshen your furniture is to cover couches or chairs with a simple slip cover – buy neutral colors and fabrics.  Also, consider a new duvet cover for your beds.  Crisp linens make a positive impression.
  4. Lighting:  Make sure buyers can see your house.  Make sure you have ample and well-placed lamps throughout your house.  Table and floor lamps offer a warmer light than overheads.  Even during daytime showings, lamps make your home feel inviting.
  5. Curb Appeal:  First impressions are lasting. Grab a friend and ask for advice.  Stand outside your house and approach the front door together.  Have your friend share with you any negative impressions.  Is there a rip in the screen door?  Is a brick loose on your front stoop?  Is there a garden bed that is overrun with weeds?  Often times, we become blind to our own deferred repairs, and a fresh set of eyes can set you straight.  You don’t want a buyer to be mentally starting a repair list before they have even set foot in your home.

Staging to Sell

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Spring selling season is upon us and it’s time for a refresher on staging tips. With inventory still high, and so many properties competing with yours, you will want to do everything you can to help your property stand out from the others.

Real estate expert Barbara Corcoran said recently during an interview that a buyer decides if he or she has interest in a property within 8 seconds of walking through the door. That doesn’t leave much time to make a good impression! Use every second wisely by considering some of the following suggestions.

1. Curb appeal is important. When a buyer approaches your house, he or she makes the first judgment. Make sure your house is nicely painted. Repair that broken screen door. Tidy the front yard and plant some flowers. The buyer should feel drawn into the house and made to feel welcome by a warm and inviting entry hall.

2. Clear your house of clutter and personal belongings and scrub the house to within an inch of its life. Since your goal is to move out of the house, start packing today. Eliminate as many knick knacks as possible. Pack away any collections and replace photos of friends and family with neutral artwork. As far as cleanliness, everything should sparkle.

3. Straighten your closets and cabinets. Expect that buyers will open every door and cabinet. If your closets are packed to the gills, it will leave the buyer with the impression that the house does not have enough storage space.

4. Take the packing a step further and put extra furniture in storage. A sparse and simple approach to furnishings will make your rooms appear larger. Define a use for each room and furnish it accordingly. If you have a bedroom that has become a ‘junk room,’ pack the junk away and make the bed with inviting linens. It is important to show the buyer how the space can be used. When rearranging furniture, pull pieces away from the walls and keep in mind that you want to have a clear walking path between rooms.

5. A fresh coat of paint is inexpensive and goes a long way to making your home feel clean and fresh. Keep the colors earthy and neutral to appeal to the broadest audience. If you have a brightly colored room, consider re-painting it.

6. Shed some light on the subject. Open the blinds and turn on all the lights for showings. Bright spaces appear larger and overall create a positive impression. If you have heavy or dark drapes, consider replacing them with light colored window treatments.

7. Remove evidence of pets. When you are expecting a showing, pack up the pets and take a drive. That includes stowing away dog beds, crates and food dishes.

8. Make sure the house smells nice. Baking cookies before a showing makes the house smell yummy and inviting. This bit of advice is an oldie but goodie.

The common thread behind all of these suggestions is to present your home in as neutral a manner as possible so that the potential buyer can envision him or herself living in the property. While it is possible to achieve these goals on your own with very little expense, don’t rule out calling a professional stager to assist you if you are feeling overwhelmed. Being a proactive seller will ensure that you have done everything possible to help your property rise above its competition.