15 Steps to Staging Your Home Successfully

When you have your house on the market, you only get one chance to make a great first impression to a potential Buyer. You want your house to look like it’s worth every penny of the (substantial) sum you’re asking, putting your homes best foot forward – and then some – is a must! Here are some helpful tips in getting your home ready for that great first impression!

1. Depersonalize. A homebuyer needs to picture herself in your rooms, and quirky decorating or pictures of the kids hurts the illusion. Remove all family photos and, paint brightly coloured walls a more neutral shade.
2. Make sure everything in the house is in top condition. No torn screens, cracked plaster or burnt out pot lights. You may have gotten used to seeing them, so tour your house with a critical eye (or ask a friend to help), and repair anything that needs it.
3. Lighting. Make sure that all rooms are brightly lit. Many houses don’t have enough lighting to begin with, so if you’re having the electrician in to do some work, have more overhead fixtures installed or at least buy some great lamps. They don’t have to be expensive ones, a large selection is available at box retail stores.
4. Be aware of scale in the house when it comes to furnishings. You might have a giant sofa that you love, but if it makes the room look small, it has to go. Aim for small groupings of furniture (ideally more than one in a room, especially a large one), with plenty of space around them.
5. A clean kitchen. Kitchen counters should be clear and clutter-free. A single bowl of vase holding cooking utensils is okay, but that’s about it. Store small appliances in cupboards if you must.
6. Kitchen décor. If your kitchen doesn’t have a backsplash, this is a weekend job that a reasonably handy person can tackle for little money. Invest in some gorgeous tiles (since you’re doing such a small area, it shouldn’t cost too much) or consider glass mosaics, mirror tile, or plain tile.
7. Replace boring or worn cabinet pulls with high-design new ones. Consider brushed steel, which looks great with stainless steel appliances, or a decorative ceramic.
8. Fresh linens. Make sure any visible linens (tea towels, chair cushions, oven mitts, ect.,) are brand new or at least look brand new.
9. Spotless kitchen. Hire pa professional cleaning company to come in and get all the little nooks and crannies, down to the last detail. This rule, incidentally, should apply to the whole house.
10. Fix up the bathroom. In the bathroom, an ugly builder’s mirror can be replaced with a pretty framed mirror inexpensively. Switch out the lighting for a nice chandelier or some attractive new sconces and the bathroom will look as if it’s been renovated.
11. Get a hotel-chic look. Replace bathroom towel bars with well-designed ones from a designer bath boutique. You can get matched ensembles that include toilet tissue holders, wastebasket, trays, etc… Aim for the hotel chic look: Crisp white towels neatly stacked in a towel holder, small trays on the vanity holding attractive toiletries or soaps (wrapped or unused) and scented candles.
12. Keep clutter to a minimum. Tidy and organize children’s toys into baskets or bins and organize closets. By doing this it makes the space look larger.
13. Fix up the master bedroom. Continue the luxury hotel look in the master bedroom. Multiple new pillows with shams or toss pillows in front, crisp white linens and a throw at the end of the bed. Keep end tables uncluttered with matching lamps and nothing else except, perhaps a tiny vase of flowers.
14. The exterior of your home should look as polished as the interior. This means neatly trimmed bushes, mulched flowerbeds and fresh seasonal arrangements in urns by the front door and fresh lush lawn.
15. A great smell makes a house memorable. Baking cookies has become a cliché, but buy a room spray with a fragrance you love and spray the house sparingly before each showing. Never spray too much as it could be a sign that you are trying to mast a more troubling odour.

Home staging can be easy and inexpensive, especially if you can focus on the small details. Then, just stand back and let your house shine and it is sure to impress potential homebuyers with that first impression!

Little Improvements Equal Big Returns

It’s always a good idea to spruce up the exterior and interior of your home before listing it for sale. But that doesn’t mean you have to undertake major and/or expensive project.

Just a little effort will greatly increase the perceived value of your home. After all, if you wanted to undertake a large-scale project, you probably wouldn’t be selling!

Here are some simple steps you can take to increase the perceived value of your home and make a great first impression.

Exterior Appearance

• Keep lawns cut
• Trim hedges and shrubs
• Weed and edge gardens
• Clear driveway and clean up oil spills
• Clean out garage
• Power wash
• Touch up paint
• Plant colourful, inexpensive flowers in pots if necessary

At the Front Door

• Clean porch and foyer
• Ensure door bell works
• Repair any broken screens
• Fresh paint or varnish front door
• Repair door locks and key access

Create a Buying Mood

• Make sure your home smells fresh and clean
• Turn on lights
• Turn on air conditioner/heater
• Open the drapes
• Light the fireplace

Create Space

• Clear halls and stairs of clutter
• Store surplus furniture
• Clear kitchen counter and stove top
• Clear closets of unnecessary clothing and stuff
• Remove empty boxes and containers
• Put away personal photos so buyers can envision the house as theirs

Maintenance

• Repair leaking taps and toilets
• Clean furnace and filters
• Tighten door knobs and latches
• Repair cracked plaster
• Apply fresh coat of paint or touch up where necessary
• Clean and repair windows
• Repair seals around tubs and basins
• Replace defective light bulbs
• Oil squeaking doors
• Repair squeaking floor boards

Squeaky Clean

• Clean and freshen bathrooms
• Clean fridge and stove (in and out)
• Clean around heating vents
• Clean washer and dryer
• Clean carpets, drapes and window blinds
• Eliminate pet odors and stains