Look at every room through the eyes of a buyer. What can you do without while your home is on the market? Let's pack early. Take all valuable items to a safe deposit box.
Most carpets need to be professionally cleaned before going on the market. Badly worn carpet will need to be replaced. Pick a light, short plush or Berber carpet-"real estate beige" is the safest color. New carpeting sells homes!
Professionally wash all windows and make sure they operate freely.
Be sensitive to odors, because buyers are! Excessive cooking or smoking odors can turn buyers off. If there is a challenge with odors in your home a special ozone machine can be rented from professional carpet cleaners at a minimal cost. Empty all garbage cans daily to prevent odors.
Replace all burned out light bulbs. Increase the wattage of bulbs in dark hallways and corners. Repair or replace broken light switches and switch plates.
Repair and repaint cracks on all walls and ceilings. Sweep and clean your garage or carports. New interior and exterior paint sells homes!
Repair and clean any tile, grout or Formica countertops. Clean the stove top and oven. Clean all exhaust fans, filters and hoods. Keep all floors clean for all showings. Clear off counters in kitchen and bathrooms. Keep all toilet lids down.
Keep all curtains and blinds open during the day to let light and views in. Turn on all lamps, fixtures and ceiling lights every day. Keep soft music playing at all times-easy listening or light jazz is best. The extra cost of electricity, heating and air conditioning is a necessary cost of selling.
Reduce the number of pillows on couches to a few or two. Remove all afghans and blankets. Make all beds every day. Store extra books and magazines under the beds. Keep all closet doors closed.
Take a hard look at all houseplants. In most cases they need to be pruned or reduced to create more space. If the plants do not look healthy, give them away.
Fireplaces need to be cleaned out. Glass doors should be cleaned. Mantels and hearths need to be cleared off except for a few necessary items.
To create more space a chair or loveseat may need to be stored. The extra chair in a living room or dining room may look great in an office or master bedroom.
Treasures and collections become a distraction so they will need to be packed and stored.
Pack up all little things that create clutter. Reduce the number of family photos and books to a minimum. Where do I store everything? Have a garage sale, Give to charity, Rent a storage unit
Compliments of Cathy Lee, ASP, IAHSP, www.cldesignservices.com
Living room before
Living room after staging
Family Room before
Family Room After Staging
Bonus Room before
Bonus Room After Staging
Kitchen before
Kitchen after Staging
For information to purchase this lovely home, Ann Marie Nugent with the Bay Area Team, Keller Williams can be reached at 925.260.8883.
Cathy Lee is owner of C.L. Design Services, a full service professional home staging servicing the San Francisco Bay Area. We strive to keep our client, Realtors and many prospective buyers' best interest in mind with every staging. Contact Cathy Lee today for your complimentary quote at 925.351.6118.
