Ramblings of a Baltimore area Realtor

Do It Yourself Staging Tips for Home Sellers

Are you considering getting ready to sell your home?  Statistics show that homes that are staged show better, sell faster and for money than homes that are not.  Your realtor may suggest that you hire a professional stager or do a few things to make your home sell better.  If funds are tight you may not have the cash to hire a professional stager to prepare your home but here are some tips. 

Pick up recent home decorating magazines.  If you're not familiar with decorating trends today you may want to pick up a few decorating magazines.  You'll find a few around the check out counter at  your local grocery store.  Better Homes and Gardens, Cottage Living, Southern Living, Real Simple and others just to name a few.  Or you may also find them at your local home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowe's.

Invite a friend or a real estate agent over.  A second or third pair of eyes will help you accent the best and edit the worst in your home.  Most Realtors now have a small stash of home decorating items like throw pillows, candle holders, candles, pictures, towels, place settings and such.  I've been collecting items for some time now, I don't have furniture but I do have some accent pieces.    You want to hear these comments before you put your home on the market not from prospective buyers.  I'm sure you've all seen those programs on the HGTV and DIY channels.

Stage a home office if you don't have one.  Home Offices are not a trend, they are required for homebuyers today.  More and more people work from home now more than ever (I do, and so do a lot of my friends) so having a space that a prospective buyer can identify as a home office is a real selling point.

Focus on living spaces.  These areas are where the majority of homebuyers will spend their time.  Place a side table and a floor lamp net to a comortable chair as a reading corner.  Float sofas and coffee tables away from the walls for a desirner look.  Use area rugs to anchor furniture groupings.

Give attention to kitchens.  Put away in a handy drawer all dish towels and rags.  Reduce recipe boxes, barrels of cooking utensils, excess cooking machines and cook books so prospective buyers can see the space.  You may also want to give your kitchen a face lift by changing out the hardware on cabinets.  Clear everything off the window sills and off the refrigerator. 

Spend time on sleeping and bathing spaces.  These areas are often overlooked in the rush to get the home on the market.  Invest in a matching set that consists of a matching bed skirt, comforter, pillow shams and coordinating blinds. Buy a new shower curtain and separate liner.  Wash the liner often if mold develops.  Add a complete set of towels that coordinate with your new shower curtain.  Clear all cosmetics off the vanity and remember to keep the items in the "too much information" category out of view.  A few years ago we sold a house that caused us all a great deal of embarrassment every time we entered it.  I've never blushed so much as I did while we were selling it.  Make sure your dresser and night stand are clear of excess and if your rooms are small trade that king size bed in for a queen now to give buyers an impression of more space.   Also, clear out your closets to give the illusion of huge closet space.  As a woman I know that most women think that most homes don't have enough closet space.

And, remember first impressions are lasting ones.  Make sure the curb appeal and entry to your home is inviting.

Do not use cheap silk flowers.  And, be sure all your live plants have dead leaves and buds removed. 

If you have pets be sure that their food and water bowls are clean and tidy and that litter boxes don't smell.  I was in a house the other day where the smell of cat urine was so strong that it made my eyes burn.

Buyers today think less is more when it comes to window coverings.  They want the most light and the least embellishment on the windows.

Dark, dim rooms are unappealing to prospective home buyers.  Home buyers want to see what they might buy.  Replace bulbs with manufacturers suggested wattages and replace all burned out bulbs, make sure your rooms are bright and well lit.

No two people have the same taste when it comes to wall paper.  If the wall paper is more than three years old, take it down and paint the room a neutral color and remove all wallpaper borders.  And, stay away from bold overpowering colors.  Your home should be neutral and inviting, neutral goes with everything but chartreuse does not.

Cleaning is what you do before staging.  Be sure your windows and doors are all clean and sparkling, hand prints, nose prints and finger prints should all be removed from all surfaces - especially your stainless appliances.  Overpowering scents are also very unattractive.  If you smoke, move it outside until your home is sold.  And, strong room deodorizers often give prospective buyers the impression that you have something to hide. 

All the pictures I have used here are from the same home that I had listed for sale.  My sellers hired a staging professional and I took before and after pictures of the home.  What an amazing difference and the home sold quickly and for more than any other home in the neighborhood.