Staging the home for sale
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If your home is small -- or "cozy," as the real-estate agents say
-- it's possible to create the feeling that it has more space than it really
does. So, start packing before you start selling! Donate and dispose of the
things you no longer want, and pack up the rest of everything for storage off
site that's not essential to living right now. If necessary, rent a storage
unit. Here's what to look for:
- Pack up small photos, decorative items and refrigerator magnets. Clear off
horizontal surfaces -- tables, windowsills and shelves.
- Store all off-season clothing, shoes, boots and the like. · De-clutter
bookcases and built-ins, and dispose of paperbacks and magazines.
- Clean and organize closets. They will look more spacious if they are
relatively empty. Don't forget to paint closets when painting rooms. Leave
empty hangers and open shelf or floor space. Suitcases make great places to
hide clothes, bedding, etc.
- Remove excess furniture. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is
having too much furniture in their rooms. When selling, leave no more in
place than absolutely necessary, and store the rest. Empty floor space makes
the room feel bigger.
Atmosphere: the temperature should always be comfortable during showings,
so keep the heat on in winter and run the air conditioner during summer
months. Bake cookies before an open house. This is so obvious as to be
almost a cliché, but it's always a winner. Don't you just love the smell of
fresh-baked cookies? Photos of family members, loved ones and good times
will help buyers envision their own good times in the future. Don't overdo
this, however. If you've got lots of personal pictures framed and hung on
the walls, reduce those on display to the best of the bunch and store the
rest.
Decorating tips: If your walls have seen better days, give them a fresh
coat of paint, and consider refinishing dark paneling or moldings if they
are peeling, dingy or dated. Stick with neutral wall colors such as white,
cream or light gray. Add new throw pillows in cheery colors to sofas and
beds, make sure bathroom towels are clean and well coordinated and place
scented candles or soaps in the bathroom. Living-room and den furniture
should be arranged to create conversation zones instead of focusing these
rooms on the TV set. Replace switch plates, particularly ones made of brass
that have seen better days. Add under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, and
replace old, dated cabinet knobs and pulls in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Place live plants and fresh flowers in the home; large houseplants can even
be rented if necessary. Re-paint the front door, and expose or refinish any
hardwood floors. Finally, play up all your neighborhood and region has to
offer. If you're in a seaside community, coffee table books on the ocean and
beaches will set a nice mood, as will magazine titles such as "Coastal
Living."
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