DO....
1) A thorough cleaning
Your home should shine during photos, visits and open houses. This is not the time to go on a house cleaning strike. The home is still yours (although you should now be looking at it as a "product" you are selling) and you must maintain it.
2) De-Clutter
This is the perfect time to dispose of anything you aren't using any more. Prepare donation bags for those clothes that no longer fit, throw out any broken toys or small appliances, get your home office in order.
3) Air it out
It's been a long winter. Really long. Take advantage of any rises in temperature to open those windows and bring in the fresh air. It's good for you, it's good for your home and it's good for visitors. A few times a day, if only for 5 minutes, will do a world of good!
4) Evaluate your floorplan
Are you really showing your home at its best? Or have you moved the furniture around to accommodate babies and pets? Your home needs to flow properly. Remove any roadblocks and play with your furniture. Resist pushing all your furniture against the walls (this does NOT make your rooms look bigger) and create airy spaces that your visitors can circle, walk through freely and envision their own furnishings.
5) Repairs
That to-do list you have been sitting on? There's no time like the present to get it done! In fact, it's critical. You know the staircase to the basement requires a handrail. Do it! The building inspector is going to tell you anyways. Get it done now and that's one less thing on his report! House needs paint touch ups? Do it now! As unimportant as that seems, it's one less reason for your potential buyers to turn around and walk away or bog you down in negotiations. Think TURN-KEY, finished home with nothing to do. Think model home.
Home Staging is not just about making it pretty (although that is also a HUGE "DO" on the to-do list). It's about creating functional, welcoming, clean spaces. About showing your home at its best. About creating that turn-key vision for your buyer. Not sure? Contact us for a consultation and let us help you get your listing on track.
FAUX PAS
1. Pets
The non-animal lover or allergy sufferer could walk right out.
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Please do not show pets, their bowls/toys in your listing photos. You'll alienate a big portion of your potential buyers. And DO keep your pets outside during visits or better yet, take them off the property completely. Allow your buyers to take the time they need to view your property and not have them feel rushed because your animals are over-excited.
2. Lighting
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Fixtures. How old are yours? Is great grandma's Tiffany lamp hanging over the dining room table? Is it suitable for this room and its existing decor? Consider changing fixtures in the kitchen and dining room to something more modern and current. A small investment for a BIG return.
3. Setting The Table
Hands down my BIGGEST pet peeve and a HUGE faux pas! HUGE. Just.Don't.Do.It.Why?
Believe it or not there is a psychology to Home Staging. As a matter of fact, it's largely psychological with a big dash of magic.
a) How many times in your life have you set the table, then left the home? Once? Twice? NEVER, perhaps? So why do it now? That is not the way you live and we want to show buyers they can live as you have.
b) It's an outdated practice from the 90's. When Home Staging first became popular, this was one of the 1st tasks accomplished. If you have been advised to do this. STOP.RIGHT.NOW. Because here's the psychology around it....
So your table is set...
Scenario 1: You have a 4-seater table and it's set and ready to go...Your buyer tours and oooops (!)...this room can only host four people!! But, we're six! And all those dinner parties we love to host? There's no room! It only holds four!
The buyer does not see all the EXTRA space around your table. YOU know your dining room can easily accommodate a table of 8. They cannot as they are too focused on the fact that your table only holds four people. Suivant, next!
Scenario 2: You have an 8-seater table and it's set and ready to go...Your buyer tours and oooops (!)...this room can host eight people!! But, we only have a 4-seat table! We can't afford a table for 8 right now! Our table is too small! This room is too big! Suivant, next!
A simple centerpiece is all you need!
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So, I repeat...
a) How many times in your life have you set the table, then left the home? Once? Twice? NEVER.
b) It's an outdated practice from the 90's. STOP.RIGHT.NOW.
4. Collections
So you're a collector...Comic books, owls (guilty!), porcelain dolls...this is the time to put them away. First of all, they are probably worth a fortune. Both monetary and from an emotional standpoint. We don't want them broken or stolen during visits, so do put them in a safe place. More importantly...non collectors will have no appreciation for your treasures. To them, it's just clutter. And focusing on clutter, takes our attention away from your home. Let you buyers focus on your fabulous home, not your bobble-heads ;-)
5. The Empty Home
While I always encourage you to de-clutter (see item 2 of the DO's) there can be too much! And listing your home without furniture, all together, may also work against you. Buyers need to see how you live. They need to visualise the space. The majority of buyers really struggle with putting a room together. They need your help. It doesn't matter if your furniture is not the same as theirs. If your sectional fits in the living room then they can rest assured that their sofa and loveseat will as well.
Your buyer may be upgrading to a larger home, which means they may not understand your floorplan. They need guidance. It's their first dining room. They've only eaten in a small kitchen. They want to see the possibilities. YOU know it's a dining room, they only see an empty space. What will they do with it? What is this room? They may not know. And that can be scary. With Home Staging, we can show them, guide them, Think MODEL HOME.
Still unsure? Well, that's Phancy Design's speciality. We have had the privilege of staging homes for over 10 years and it's my passion, my life. Let's chat at 450.458.7001 and get your home ready and SOLD!
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