Business & Merchant

Last Updated on Friday, 01 July 2016 17:42

By Roger Dolanch, Broker/Owner

It’s not long, so you need to make it count. Staged homes are perceived to be comfortable, attractive, and well-cared for. Home-staging is a valuable exercise when you want your home to stand out in a buyer’s mind.

A few quick fixes and some attention to detail can go a long way toward impressing a broad scope of prospects. The following simple suggestions can maximize your home’s attractiveness and create a great first impression.

Dress for Success from the Outside In: There’s no denying the importance of curb appeal. How your home looks from the street will shape a buyer’s overall expectations. In fact, some prospects may not even make it inside your front door if they are turned off by the exterior. Use the following checklist to ensure that the outside of your home is attractive enough to encourage a walk-through.

Tidy Up – Rake leaves, sweep walkways and clear the front steps.
Color Splash – Brighten your landscape with seasonal flowers, weed the garden beds and remove dead shrubbery to trees.
Fresh Cut – Mow your lawn and edge the sidewalks for a manicured look.
Remove Clutter – Neatly stow garbage cans, gardening supplies and all unnecessary items out of sight in the garage or shed.
Face-Lift – A fresh coat of paint on the front door, new doormats and clean windows will freshen up the house and make it seem newer.
Functionality – Fix or replace broken doorbells, outdoor lighting, wobbly handrails and loose paving stones.
Consider the Rear View – Buyers will want to see your backyard. The same rules apply: make it tidy, colorful, well-maintained, de-cluttered and functional. Stow excess furniture and all children’s toys.

An Inside Look: As buyers step inside, you want them to feel as if they’re making a grand entrance. Even if you do not have a sizable foyer, you can improve the entryway of your home by removing clutter and making a clear path to the best room of the house using a floor runner or eye-catching art and accessories. Remember, you have only eight seconds. Showcase the best room first so buyers are interested enough to see the rest of the home.

Improve the perception of spaciousness by removing knickknacks and oversized furniture. Less is often more. Be certain that each room has an obvious traffic flow to help buyers move through easily. As you prepare to show the home, consult this checklist for simple and effective staging suggestions:

Clean Up – Cleaning every room from top to bottom is an absolute must, including closets and cabinets. Remember to mop hardwood floors to make them shine.
De-Clutter and De-Personalize – Buyers want to imagine themselves living in your space. Help them by removing personal items, such as pictures and knickknacks from walls and tables.
Open Windows – Unless it’s too hot or too cold outside, open the windows to let in some fresh air, especially if your home has pets.
Make it Cozy – Check the thermostat to make sure potential buyers are comfortable enough to linger. Show off fireplaces by lighting them.
Awaken Other Senses – Bake some cookies, light a scented candle or play soft music in the background. These subtle sensory stimuli can enhance the pleasant impression of your home.
Lighten Up – Make sure your home feels bright and alive! Pull open window coverings and turn on the lights, even the ones over appliances and in closets.

Make yourself scarce!: Prospective buyers need to feel free to explore and tend to prefer it when the current homeowner is not present. That’s why it is in your best interest to leave the home showings in the capable hands of your CENTURY 21 Frontier Realty sales professional.