Renaissance Style: Top 10 Staging Tips
Posted by Kelly Asmus on Jul 20, 2011 in Latest News, Renaissance Style, _Special | 0 comments
Just like in life, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. If you are selling your home, make sure when prospective home buyers come see your home, it is ready!
1. Declutter
Clutter makes homes seem small and disorganized. Pack-up now…you have to do it anyway. Everything in the home will be viewed by the potential buyer. Closets, drawers and refrigerators will be opened. Remove furniture blocking walkways. LESS IS MORE. People need to be able to freely walk all rooms. Consider removing dining buffets, king size beds, “extra chairs”…
2. FIX
Tackle the “honey-do” list. Anything that is broken – fix it or have it fixed. Buyers DO NOT want to move into a home and repair your old problems. DON’T send the wrong message to the buyer – that the home has not been properly maintained.
3. CLEAN
Deep-clean. Everything should sparkle. If you can’t clean it – you need to replace it, including carpet. Remove odors – especially pet beds and litter boxes. You can’t sell it if you can smell it.
4. ORGANIZE
Now that your closets are decluttered – hang clothes with space between and color coordinate. Shoes lined up. Keep floor clean. Organize the pantry and kitchen cupboards. Remove everything on the counters including small appliances.
5. DE-PERSONALIZE
Disassociate yourself with the home. Picture yourself handing over the keys. Buying a home is an emotional decision. You want potential buyers to make an emotional connection with your home by thinking “I can see myself living here.”
– Remove political and religious items.
– Remove family photos.
– Remove and replace favorite items such as the dining fixture you are planning to take with you.
6. NEUTRALIZE
Now is the time to paint. If you are not a painter… hire one. Neutral beige tones – carefully consider accent paint colors. Remember, your taste don’t matter here. REMOVE wallpaper… this is such a personal taste item.
7. STAGE FURNITURE
Arrange furniture in conversational arrangements. Be sure people can easily walk through the rooms. Less furniture makes the room seem larger.
8. HANG ART
Most people hang art too high. Hang at eye level. Group smaller pieces together.
9. ACCESSORIZE
Remember the 3 rule. No more than 3 items on a table. LAMPS – These help make the space sparkle. TURN them on. The home needs to be bright.
10. SCRUTINIZE
Now is the time to go outside and view your home from across the street. Stand there and think if you would want to go inside. Make sure buyers and agents can clearly read your address. Open the front door. Does it feel inviting? Replace the door mat, sweep the cobwebs and plant some flowers. Make your home sparkle.
Tips compiled by Sandie Hume, Director of Design for Renaissance Homes. Sandie is an award winning interior designer and is responsible for many of Renaissance Homes’ Street of Dreams awards. Sandie offers a unique service to Renaissance Home buyers in which she will offer a two hour staging consultation to help you when your home is for sale. Ask a community sales agent for all the details.
Renaissance Homes is an award winning Street of Dreams custom home builder specializing in green building for the Portland market.
