Staging Your Home
Take a look at your home through the eyes of a buyer...
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
People usually decide within minutes whether they like a home or not. The
first impression is a lasting impression and those impressions start forming
before they ever walk in the door.
First Impressions
Approach your home from every angle possible and...be critical! Is the yard neat and trim? Steps swept? Do you have any flowers to greet the prospective buyer?
How about the driveway and the walk to the front door? How about the front door itself? Is it scuffed, scratched?
Be sure the entrance to your home is clean and inviting.
Take a good look at the downspouts and drainage system. Is your roof in good repair?
Inside Information
What is the first thing a prospective buyer will see when they come through your front door?
Make sure everything within sight is:
- clean
- in good repair
- light and bright
What kind of shape is the carpeting in? Have the walls been re-painted or re-papered recently? How about the floor tile or linoleum? Hardwood floors should also be able to stand the scrutiny of an inspection.
en you repaint, consider light tones will make a room look larger; dark tones make the room look smaller.
Drapes and curtains should be cleaned or washed and pressed.
The kitchen usually comes under the heaviest scrutiny. Countertops should be clear, sinks, appliances should shine! It's a good idea to have your drawers and cupboards in good order too; buyers-to-be like to peek in and picture their own furnishings in that setting.
Countertops, sinks, basins and tubs should be scoured, stains removed. Check the faucets for leaks.
Wash all your windows to take advantage of all the natural light that your site permits. Replace broken and cracked glass, mend torn screening...check to see that all windows open and close as they should.
Remove excess furniture, as well as the normal everyday clutter of day-to-day living. Newspapers should be gotten rid of or neatly arranged in the recycle bin.
Be sure the traffic lanes of your home are clear of clutter, enabling a comfortable stroll through the house.
Make sure all lamps, light switches work... replace burned out bulbs, up the wattage if you're going to have evening showings.
When your house is being shown
You'll want to be very flexible and willing to show you home on a moment's notice so be ready with a game plan for those last minute showings. Each family member should know in advance what their responsibilities are.
If possible, vacate the premises. If you cannot, be polite but don't encourage conversation with the prospects. They are there to inspect your house, not pay a social call.
If you have children, make plans for a pleasant diversion from the sales agent and prospect.
If you have a pet, be sure to keep it from being underfoot. Figaro, the bull dog, should not be the first to greet the buyer at the door!
Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in! Let the trained sales associate respond to objections.
Take advantage of your Realtor! He or she can discuss price, terms and other factors with the prospect as well as point out the strengths of you property.
Approach your home from every angle possible and...be critical! Is the yard neat and trim? Steps swept? Do you have any flowers to greet the prospective buyer?
How about the driveway and the walk to the front door? How about the front door itself? Is it scuffed, scratched?
Be sure the entrance to your home is clean and inviting.
Take a good look at the downspouts and drainage system. Is your roof in good repair?
Inside Information
What is the first thing a prospective buyer will see when they come through your front door?
Make sure everything within sight is:
- clean
- in good repair
- light and bright
What kind of shape is the carpeting in? Have the walls been re-painted or re-papered recently? How about the floor tile or linoleum? Hardwood floors should also be able to stand the scrutiny of an inspection.
en you repaint, consider light tones will make a room look larger; dark tones make the room look smaller.
Drapes and curtains should be cleaned or washed and pressed.
The kitchen usually comes under the heaviest scrutiny. Countertops should be clear, sinks, appliances should shine! It's a good idea to have your drawers and cupboards in good order too; buyers-to-be like to peek in and picture their own furnishings in that setting.
Countertops, sinks, basins and tubs should be scoured, stains removed. Check the faucets for leaks.
Wash all your windows to take advantage of all the natural light that your site permits. Replace broken and cracked glass, mend torn screening...check to see that all windows open and close as they should.
Remove excess furniture, as well as the normal everyday clutter of day-to-day living. Newspapers should be gotten rid of or neatly arranged in the recycle bin.
Be sure the traffic lanes of your home are clear of clutter, enabling a comfortable stroll through the house.
Make sure all lamps, light switches work... replace burned out bulbs, up the wattage if you're going to have evening showings.
When your house is being shown
You'll want to be very flexible and willing to show you home on a moment's notice so be ready with a game plan for those last minute showings. Each family member should know in advance what their responsibilities are.
If possible, vacate the premises. If you cannot, be polite but don't encourage conversation with the prospects. They are there to inspect your house, not pay a social call.
If you have children, make plans for a pleasant diversion from the sales agent and prospect.
If you have a pet, be sure to keep it from being underfoot. Figaro, the bull dog, should not be the first to greet the buyer at the door!
Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in! Let the trained sales associate respond to objections.
Take advantage of your Realtor! He or she can discuss price, terms and other factors with the prospect as well as point out the strengths of you property.
Outdoors
- keep lawn mowed and walkway swept
- check all the shrubs and trees to make sure overgrowth is not cutting off the sunlight into the house
- store hoses neatly and be sure sprinklers don't water the walkways
- remove exterior vehicles from curb view & degrease driveways
- you may want to talk to the neighbors about keeping their yards tidy too!
Garage
- keep floors clean and swept
- if laundry is done in the garage, be sure clothes are put away
Living Room & Family Rooms
- remove excess furniture and arrange to improve traffic flow and spaciousness
- highlight your fireplace
- create a happy medium between formal and too casual
- don't let the television dominate the room
Dining room
- set the table as though company is coming for a casual luncheon
- remove any extra table leaves and remove any "company" side chairs
Bedrooms
- arrange furniture for maximum space
- depersonalize teenagers rooms
- you may need to invest in pretty, new sheets and comforters
- invest in some of those under the bed storage boxes to throw things in for last minute showings
Baths
- polish the floor, mirrors and fixtures
- hang your best towels
- repair any damaged grout and caulking
- put out fragrant guest soaps
- invest in a new shower curtain
- clean hard water off glass shower enclosures
- put away personal items
- freshen it up with plants or flowers
- if you have an oversized tub or whirlpool tub, set a relaxing mood with books, wine, candles, etc.
Closets
- hang clothes neatly and box shoes
- put seasonal clothes in storage
- Keep lights on & doors slightly open to encourage buyers to look
Kitchen
- be sure the garbage is taken out
- freshen up the garbage disposal daily
- set out some props like a cook book, mixing bowls, apples - you're just going to whip up some dessert
- Wipe away finger prints and grease
- clear clutter and personal items off the refrigerator
- accentuate kitchen windows with herbs or a stained glass mobile
- make it smell like grandma's kitchen
Overall
- keep all lights on and doors to main rooms open
- be sure drapes are open and windows are clean inside and out
- eliminate unpleasant odors
- place fresh flowers
- Be sure pets are outside
- keep temperature comfortable
- considering rearranging and even eliminating furniture to give a more spacious appearance
- check your walls to make sure you don't have too many pictures
- any setting that you stage should reflect the character of your entire home
- keep lawn mowed and walkway swept
- check all the shrubs and trees to make sure overgrowth is not cutting off the sunlight into the house
- store hoses neatly and be sure sprinklers don't water the walkways
- remove exterior vehicles from curb view & degrease driveways
- you may want to talk to the neighbors about keeping their yards tidy too!
Garage
- keep floors clean and swept
- if laundry is done in the garage, be sure clothes are put away
Living Room & Family Rooms
- remove excess furniture and arrange to improve traffic flow and spaciousness
- highlight your fireplace
- create a happy medium between formal and too casual
- don't let the television dominate the room
Dining room
- set the table as though company is coming for a casual luncheon
- remove any extra table leaves and remove any "company" side chairs
Bedrooms
- arrange furniture for maximum space
- depersonalize teenagers rooms
- you may need to invest in pretty, new sheets and comforters
- invest in some of those under the bed storage boxes to throw things in for last minute showings
Baths
- polish the floor, mirrors and fixtures
- hang your best towels
- repair any damaged grout and caulking
- put out fragrant guest soaps
- invest in a new shower curtain
- clean hard water off glass shower enclosures
- put away personal items
- freshen it up with plants or flowers
- if you have an oversized tub or whirlpool tub, set a relaxing mood with books, wine, candles, etc.
Closets
- hang clothes neatly and box shoes
- put seasonal clothes in storage
- Keep lights on & doors slightly open to encourage buyers to look
Kitchen
- be sure the garbage is taken out
- freshen up the garbage disposal daily
- set out some props like a cook book, mixing bowls, apples - you're just going to whip up some dessert
- Wipe away finger prints and grease
- clear clutter and personal items off the refrigerator
- accentuate kitchen windows with herbs or a stained glass mobile
- make it smell like grandma's kitchen
Overall
- keep all lights on and doors to main rooms open
- be sure drapes are open and windows are clean inside and out
- eliminate unpleasant odors
- place fresh flowers
- Be sure pets are outside
- keep temperature comfortable
- considering rearranging and even eliminating furniture to give a more spacious appearance
- check your walls to make sure you don't have too many pictures
- any setting that you stage should reflect the character of your entire home