Getting your house ready to SELL… What you need to know

If you are planning to put your house on the market, I am sure that you are hoping to sell your home as quickly as possible and to get your asking price! By following these tips for staging your home successfully, you WILL get results- and fast! According to a recent RESA survey, staged homes sell 73% faster than non-staged homes.

The potential buyer makes a connection to the home before even coming through the front door. So that is why curb appeal and maintenance are key! Make sure your home is ready to lure the “lookers” inside.

• Make sure house is clean-front door lights free of dirt and spider webs.
• Power wash the siding and walkways -make sure nothing appears moldy
• Mow -resod-trim lawn and shrubs
• Wash the windows inside and out
• Repaint the porch and make inviting
• Add planters with fresh greens or flowers

What is an inviting porch?

• Even if you only have a small front stoop-make it say “come on in-Welcome”
• Add a fresh doormat, potted plants or greens
• Add some furniture -chairs and table, soften with cushions or decorative pillows
• Keep porch clean and put lights on
• Illuminate the front of the house with solar lights if possible.

Make sure your house has been cleaned from top to bottom -inside and out.

• Every surface should sparkle-this is essential!!
• No one wants to buy a home that is dirty or perceived as uncared for
• Clear away all clutter-if you are seriously selling then this is your chance to jump start your packing!
• Closets and bookshelves should be only 2/3 full.
• You should be able to see the floor in every closet.
• Countertops in kitchen and bath must be free of clutter and personal items
• Cabinets should be neatly arranged and organized.

** Strike a balance between clean and lived-in. **

Rearrange your furniture so that perspective buyers can see the house and the architectural details. You don’t want buyers getting distracted by your furnishings or décor. You want to enhance the good features of the house-so look at your house with a visitor’s eye.

Choose neutral sophisticated colors that flow from room to room. Some of my go to colors include: Wheeling Neutral BM HC-92, Edgecomb Gray BM HC-173, Revere Pewter BM HC-172, Blue Haze BM #1667, Sandy Hook Gray BM HC-108,Nantucket Gray BM HC-111
White Dove for trim.

The master bedroom:

• Should be clean and crisp without clutter, exercise machines, personal items or work stuff all around.
• The bathrooms should look pristine, free from robes, toys, too many shampoos, soaps, toothbrushes ,pastes and jewelry.

Keep a set of fresh, crisp, clean white towels for each bath ready and put them out when you have a showing.

Take a good look at your floors and carpets. At bare minimum they need to be cleaned. If the floors are in okay shape then a steam cleaning on both hardwood and carpets will do the trick. If the floors are in poor shape you can try steaming cleaning or best thing is to refinish. Strategically place area rugs to hide some imperfections.

If you have a kid’s playroom then make sure it is organized and neat. There should not be every toy your child ever received strewn about on the floor. Start packing! Pack away at least ½ of all the toys-when you move your kids will think they have all new toys when they open those boxes. You want the buyers to see this house as a fresh start and they will not be able to do so if there are toys in every room.

If you have pets, be aware of any pet odors and hair. This can really dissuade a buyer. Take the pet out of the home if possible for showings and have an accessible storage bin to put all the pet toys and paraphernalia away.

Always put the lights on -task, ambient and overhead.
Keep shades and blinds open -unless the view is unfavorable.

Stage the outdoors, too so the buyer can imagine themselves entertaining on the patio or reading a book on nice summer day.

You can always call us at kellydesigns. We can come assess your home and advise what needs to be done to get it ready for sale. We can implement a plan for you, if you choose. We can help you rent furniture and accessories to stage an empty or model home.