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Staging Your Home for Sale
by Dani Jacobs
by Dani Jacobs
Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner. With it, comes the warmth of the sunshine, the beauty of the flowers, and, for many,
the stress of selling a home. So, if you are one of those people experiencing the beginning tremors of the stress of selling your home,
start getting ready now with these few simple tips to help get you through the preparation process and, at the same time, improve your
likelihood of a quick sale.
The most important thing to remember is that first impressions are vital when selling your home. When people walk up to your door,
what is their first reaction? Make the outside of your house look as nice as the inside. Plant fresh flowers. Repaint, even if it is just the
shutters. Tidy up your landscaping and remove all excess ornaments, toys, and garbage cans.
Next, think about a person’s initial response upon entering your home. Keep your front entrance neat and organized. Add a bouquet of
fresh flowers to a front table, or use lighting to highlight nooks or artwork. Your purpose is to make the potential buyer want to go
further and see more.
Next, clean EVERYTHING! In this buyers’ market, with the abundance of houses, buyers can afford to be picky. Clean all windows
and trim. Repair any broken woodwork. Repaint walls and trim that look dingy. Have your carpets cleaned. When a consumer buys,
they want their goods to be undamaged. The same applies to houses. The more perfect your house appears, the more likely a person
will be willing to pay for it.
Also, highlight the positive aspects of your home. Open your curtains and blinds to let more light into the home. Arrange the rooms in a
way that increases traffic flow. Remove any excess furniture. Use a lot of lighting and leave them on for open houses. Think about
the areas in your house you love, and do whatever you can to accentuate these spaces for potential buyers.
Finally, remove all clutter from your house. My favorite realtor once told me, “How we live in a home and how we sell a home are two
different things.” This adage is so important when getting your home ready to sell. Rent a storage locker if you need to, but somehow
get rid of all the excess. Empty out all clothes you don’t wear in your closets; they will then appear to be roomier. Kitchen countertops
and bathroom counters should be void of all your daily products. Put your spices in the cupboard and your shampoo and face soap in
the linen closet. Take down all personal pictures. Your goal here is to help the buyers see themselves in your home. If they are looking
at your child and your shampoo, and your wedding picture, it is hard to visualize the house as their own.
To end, a wise person once said that a home is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Some final statistics that prove this
adage:
So, if you are planning on selling your home, follow these few pieces of advice; it definitely will be worth your while.
Dani Jacobs is home interior expert and co-owner of Solace Design. She can be reached at
(612)210-9343 or through e-mail at Danielle@Solace-Design.com Her website is www.Solace-Design.com
the stress of selling a home. So, if you are one of those people experiencing the beginning tremors of the stress of selling your home,
start getting ready now with these few simple tips to help get you through the preparation process and, at the same time, improve your
likelihood of a quick sale.
The most important thing to remember is that first impressions are vital when selling your home. When people walk up to your door,
what is their first reaction? Make the outside of your house look as nice as the inside. Plant fresh flowers. Repaint, even if it is just the
shutters. Tidy up your landscaping and remove all excess ornaments, toys, and garbage cans.
Next, think about a person’s initial response upon entering your home. Keep your front entrance neat and organized. Add a bouquet of
fresh flowers to a front table, or use lighting to highlight nooks or artwork. Your purpose is to make the potential buyer want to go
further and see more.
Next, clean EVERYTHING! In this buyers’ market, with the abundance of houses, buyers can afford to be picky. Clean all windows
and trim. Repair any broken woodwork. Repaint walls and trim that look dingy. Have your carpets cleaned. When a consumer buys,
they want their goods to be undamaged. The same applies to houses. The more perfect your house appears, the more likely a person
will be willing to pay for it.
Also, highlight the positive aspects of your home. Open your curtains and blinds to let more light into the home. Arrange the rooms in a
way that increases traffic flow. Remove any excess furniture. Use a lot of lighting and leave them on for open houses. Think about
the areas in your house you love, and do whatever you can to accentuate these spaces for potential buyers.
Finally, remove all clutter from your house. My favorite realtor once told me, “How we live in a home and how we sell a home are two
different things.” This adage is so important when getting your home ready to sell. Rent a storage locker if you need to, but somehow
get rid of all the excess. Empty out all clothes you don’t wear in your closets; they will then appear to be roomier. Kitchen countertops
and bathroom counters should be void of all your daily products. Put your spices in the cupboard and your shampoo and face soap in
the linen closet. Take down all personal pictures. Your goal here is to help the buyers see themselves in your home. If they are looking
at your child and your shampoo, and your wedding picture, it is hard to visualize the house as their own.
To end, a wise person once said that a home is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Some final statistics that prove this
adage:
- a staged home spends approximately 50% less time on the market and increases the selling price by 6.9% on average!
So, if you are planning on selling your home, follow these few pieces of advice; it definitely will be worth your while.
Dani Jacobs is home interior expert and co-owner of Solace Design. She can be reached at
(612)210-9343 or through e-mail at Danielle@Solace-Design.com Her website is www.Solace-Design.com
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