First Impressions, by Susan Adair

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“We are selling our house.”

“We are staying until it sells.”

“What do we do to get it ready? “

What’s the old saying? You only get one chance to make a first impression!

Many sellers live in their homes during the selling process. And let’s face it, we all know we tend to get used to things in and around our homes and pretty soon we no longer notice the weeds in the shrubbery or the rusted light fixture. Besides, we usually come in the garage or back door, right?

This is where your friendly staging consultant comes in! The ultimate goal is, of course, to sell the house. So, what are the steps you need to take? What things do you need to do to make it photograph well from the outside? Those all-important photos make up your 1st showing. These photos bring people to the front door.

Let’s start with that first impression. Here are some key questions to ask:

  1. Is the paint in good shape and clean? Yes, houses get dirty too.
  2. Are the rain gutters clear? No “gutter gardens!”
  3. Is the exterior light fixture in good shape? Is the light bulb pretty? Hint: florescent light bulbs are not pretty. Sparkling, clear glass bulbs are.
  4. Are the shrubs trimmed? Is the mulch in good shape?
  5. How about some potted plants or winter arrangements on the front stoop or porch?
  6. Does the porch have some inviting seating?

If all your answers are “Yes” you are on your way to a great first impression!

Your friendly staging consultant can give you some specific ideas to bring your buyers to your front door and all the way in to fall in love with your house!

Susan

Wall Paper, Paint, Wood Paneling Oh My!!!

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“What were they thinking?”

We have all thought this Exact thing looking at interior paint color choices.

Now this is where you have the choice…do you make a simple change, or leave people with this frightful, poor color image.

Paint is an important key factor in neutralizing a home.  Having bright or dated color is very distracting and unpleasing to potential buyers.  Neutral, light colored paint can freshen up up any room.  A neutral color will offer continuity and consistency throughout the home.  It will have the buyer seeing its potential, not its sudden and drastic wall color changes.  I recommend a flat finish paint because it hides imperfections and provides easier touchups.  As mentioned in my previous blog, Preparing Your Home for Sold, Chintz and Revere Pewter are smart color choices.

The dreaded wallpaper is a must to remove!  Many sellers do not want the hard work of removing it.  Well, neither does the potential buyer.  Wallpaper can be a deal breaker.  If  you choose to leave the wall paper,  you could be significantly reducing your selling profit.  A possible buyer is not always looking for a home that needs updating.  There have been many improvements to wall paper and removing solutions over the years.  Many options are available to help you remove it safely, easily, and without wall damage.  Do not let a potential buyer pass your home by because of unpleasant and dated wall coverings…even if it’s Italian!

Wood paneling makes a lot of us cringe, but it may be a permanent wall.  A simple and inexpensive solution would be to paint it.  Creamy white tends to look best.  Use an oil based or a satin impervo paint, these will give it a natural appearance.  They lay thicker on wood giving it a richer look.

Final Thought…  Have your home buyer feeling…There’s No Place Like Home

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By the Numbers, by Susan Adair

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Preparing Your Home for Sold!

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As mentioned in my Previous blog, Staging Can Show the Maximum Space in Every Room, you should be realistic about the space in each room and do a few simple things throughout the home to prepare for showings.  You should deep clean your home as if a snoopy, pickiest of picky family member is coming to stay with you!  All flooring and carpet should be cleaned and free from stains.  If it is deeply soiled or really old, you may want to look into replacing it.  Walls should be cleaned and freshly painted.  I suggest using Benjamin Moore Paint in chintz or revere pewter.  Wash all windows and make sure blinds or drapes are clean and working properly.  Buyers are usually concerned about the quality of windows, so they will be checking.  Vacuum vents and ceiling fans.  Here are a few suggestions for these specific rooms:

Kitchen – Clear all countertops of anything that is not needed for daily use.  Place mail into a drawer rather than out on the counter.  Vacuum inside of each drawer and place new drawer linings.  Keep refrigerator clear of photos and magnets.  Remove any expired items and keep only minimal leftovers, this will make it appear larger.  Make sure it is cleaned top to bottom and smells fresh.  Leave a Baking Soda Fridge-N-Freezer box in in the refrigerator and freezer.  It will eliminate odors.  Ninety percent of homes are sold with refrigerators and everyone will look in them!

Bathrooms – Scrub bathroom from top to bottom.  Clear all countertops and toilet tops of miscellaneous items.  Remove all medications and valuables and store in containers that only you can access.  All towels should look fresh and clean for each showing.  Keep shower products and bathing accessories in small bins that you can bring in with you when you shower and remove for showings.  Update any hardware that is broken, loose, or missing.

Bedrooms – All bedside table and dresser top items need to be tucked away.  Place them in small containers and keep under the bed so that they are easily accessible by you.  Hang all clothes in a closet, do not leave a robe hanging over the door or the bed.  Never leave out anything of value.

Closets – Everyone wants to see the closets they may possibly own, so yes, they will look in them.  They will either see how much stuff you have, or how much room they could fill with heir own things!  Remove and pack away all of your seasonal items.  Having the hangers match looks very organized and is extremely pleasing to the eye.  Do not forget to paint the insides of the closets when you’re painting the home.

According to a recent study, eighty percent of buyers said storage is one of the most important items on their checklist.  Go through every closet, cabinet, drawer, and nook and cranny in your home and get rid of anything that hasn’t been used within a year, or put it in storage!  Think of it as pre-packing for your new home.  Getting a storage unit outside of your home is usually the easiest way for this transition.  It frees your home of excess items and gives it the feeling of more open space.  Space that potential buyers are looking for.  That way, after your home sells, you are already half packed.  For your showings each day, wipe down all counters and surfaces, turn on lights, and open all of the blinds and curtains to brighten up your home.   Dark and dirty spaces will turn away a potential buyer.

Learn more about measuring the proper placement of your artwork, rugs, drapes and more in Susan’s upcoming blog post, By The Numbers.

For additional help with flooring, painting and other home services, head to my website, Kariel Staging & Decor .

Final Thought…  Preparing your home in this manner could make the difference between Sold or Sitting on the market!