Staging Your Home-Making Your Home Attractive to Buyers

          

You have decided to sell your home.  Great!  Many home owners spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars preparing their home for sale.  I get asked by sellers all the time if they should change the carpet in this room, or paint this room.  Your home has just one chance to make a great impression with each potential buyer.  And it can!  The whole idea is to present a clean, spacious, clutter-free home-the kind of place you’d like to buy.  This week’s blog post is about how to stage your home so that it is attractive to potential buyers.  Accomplish a little every day, and before long your home will be ready to make the impression that can make the sale

YOUR HOME’S CURB APPEAL.

This is the first time a potential buyer will see your home.  We have seen buyers pull up to a house and not even want to go inside because of the impression they receive from the exterior.  Be sure your lawn is mowed and edged.  Make sure any trees and shrubs are trimmed and gardens are free of weeds.    Be sure your walkways and driveway are free of branches, litter, toys, etc.  Try to remove all rust, mildew, moss, etc. stains from walls and oil stains from driveway.  Shine all brass hardware on front door, outside lighting fixtures, etc. and be sure to have working light bulbs.  Clean all outdoor furniture and remove any furniture that is unsightly.  For some decoration add a brand new doormat in front of the front door.  This will help keep dirt from tracking into the house and will bring an aesthetic appeal to the exterior of the house.  Also consider a seasonal door decoration.

GENERAL INTERIOR TIPS

Off-white or light beige is the number one choice of wall color for today’s buyers.  It is softer than stark white and it suggests cleanliness, makes the rooms seem larger, and provides an excellent backdrop for most home furnishings and color schemes.  Shampoo carpeting and steam clean grout lines on tile floors.  Wash all windows and dust/vacuum all blinds, ceiling fans, window dressings, and window sills.  Begin packing/throwing away extra items that you will not need until after you move.  The less cluttered you can make your house look the better.

ROOM SPECIFIC TIPS

Make your living room cozy and inviting and be sure any damaged or worn furnishings are not present.  For the dining room set the table for a formal dinner to help viewers imagine entertaining guests and be sure all china is dust free.  In the kitchen unclutter all counter spaces and appliances, clean and organize inside cabinets and appliances, and be sure all areas sparkle.  Be sure the bathroom lighting and fixtures are in working order and everything is spotless.  For the bedrooms, make sure everything in neat, orderly, and spacious looking.

All of the above can seem overwhelming if you try to accomplish it in one day.  Take each area step-by-step.  For a check list of everything mentioned above plus a few other tips, call TEAM JOHNSON.  We have 20 years experience buying and selling homes in the northeast Florida market.   Each of our team members have a wealth of knowledge and their own specialized area.  We are members of 3 local MLS boards and can show you any property as far south as Palm Coast, as far west as Palatka, as far north as Jacksonville and everywhere  in between.  Put the power of a team behind you.  

Give us a call at 904-495-0146 or email us at teamjohnson@watsonrealtycorp.com