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Staging your home.

 

Staging a home gives the space an uncluttered, depersonalized look that makes the most of each room's size while being warm and inviting.  Proper staging does help sell a house.  With the advent of HGTV and shows like "The Property Brothers" and "House Hunters," staging has become an increasingly popular trend. The Bakers, with their combined 45-plus years of experience selling homes, offer their staging tips on our exclusive listings.  We provide direction to our clients on how to use their own furniture and accessories or contacts for furniture rental to showcase their home in the best way possible.  We believe in saving our clients money and avoiding costly professional staging whenever possible. 

 

Below are a few tips.

 

We also offer Photoshop CS6 "photographic furniture staging" for our vacant listings.

 

Plan Ahead

Call the Bakers and arrange a walk-through of each room to evaluate the home from a buyer's perspective.  Remember that you have only one chance to make a good first impression to buyers.  Decluttering is a TOP priority!  You want to show off your home's amenities and space, not your stuff.  Depersonalize so that buyers can picture their own furniture and accessories in the house.  Think back to model homes you've been in and how the space has been maximized in a neutral way. 

Do any needed repairs.  (Talk to the Bakers for list of priorities.)

Sell, donate, or trash anything you don't need.

NONE of us lives in a model home.  We'd all need to do many things to prepare it for sale.  Just do your best with the guidelines below.  Much of the preparation is simply elbow grease and time with minimal money required.









Clean, Declutter and Depersonalize

Thoroughly clean the entire home (incl. windows). 
Scrub tile in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Clean hardwood floors.
Steam clean carpets and drapes. Consider replacing carpet if stains or animal smells are prominent.
Get rid of all dust bunnies.
Repair cracks and holes in the walls.
Paint interior walls with neutral colors, like beige, cream, or taupe.
Remove excess and oversized furniture.
Rearrange furniture to maximize space.  (The Bakers will provide staging ideas.)
Organize room closets and store out-of-season clothes.
Remove or store out of sight small appliances, toys, magazines, and pet items.
Remove family photos, personal collections and medications.
Remove items from the garage and store them off site.

          

Maximize Curb Appeal

Paint the home's exterior, including trim, doors, and shutters.  Remember the shed!
Check front door, doorbell, address number, and welcome mat.
Power wash the siding and windows.
Inspect the roof and make repairs as needed.
Repair cracks in the driveway and sidewalks.
Sweep the entryway and walkways.
Mow, water, and fertilize the lawn.
Trim shrubs and trees and rake the leaves.
Plant colorful flowers and shrubs.
Store any toys or equipment lying in the yard.
Clean up pet droppings in the yard.
Clean the gutters and downspouts.

Pay Attention to Kitchens and Bathrooms

Mop and wax/polish the floors.
Clear the countertops.
Replace outdated hardware.
Clean appliances and fixtures.
Clean and organize the pantry, cabinets, and drawers.
Replace old caulking around sinks and bathtubs.
Remove stains from sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.
Keep all toilet seat lids closed.
Hang fresh towels.




When Showing the Home, Appeal to the Senses!

Bake cookies or burn scented candles.
Offer light refreshments.
Install higher wattage incandescent light bulbs to brighten rooms.
Turn on all the lights.
Open windows to let in fresh air.
Open curtains or blinds to let in natural light and show off views.
Turn off TVs.
Relocate pets on the day of the open house.  Don't leave pet food out.
Refrain from smoking in the home.  Make sure there are no leftover cooking odors.
Make sure the cat box is clean and out of sight!!!


Show Off Your Home's Best Features

Remove old, worn out, dirty rugs.
Pull back drapes to showcase nice views.
Stage the front porch or deck with furniture and potted plants.
Make sure fireplaces are clean and in working condition.
Clean the back and side yard.

Photographic Staging

The Bakers offer free photographic staging for empty rooms large enough to stage.  This service is offered for hundreds of dollars by realtors and is often added into the additional commission you pay.
 Below are examples of completely empty rooms we photographically staged.