Staging Your Home Checklist

by Barbara Adams, Realtor In the current market in Solano county, it is highly important to follow these guidelines so that once you do have a buyer making an appointment to see the inside of your home, you dress it to impress them! Remove "clutter" from the house. Begin your packing early, after all you are moving soon, aren't you? Help your sale happen sooner and get most of the knick knacks and family photos into the boxes early. Remove and lock up all valuables so there is no misunderstanding later on. Are your countertops free and clear? Look at them, clear them, and then clear them some more after that, think MODEL HOME over and over in your mind, it ALWAYS looks like how could someone live with so little? Don't forget, this is no longer your home, but your business, you are selling an investment and you need to make it as presentable as possible to get the most money for your investment. Have you removed unnecessary furniture throughout the house? Remove the art gallery and coupon collection from the refrigerator.  Check the bathrooms. Are the surfaces clean and clear? Are shower curtains and doors hung properly? Is the flooring clean and fresh? Are towels neatly hung? Put all the bottles and combs away. Check the sink and mirror, they should shine. Check the grouting, it is a common "red flag". Make sure it is fresh and properly applied and clean.  Check the walls and doors. Is paint and wallpaper fresh and clean? Are the walls free from holes? Are there any colors or objects on the walls that need to be removed? Your idea of modern art may be objectionable to some buyers, best to keep your "marginally dressed" framed art in the garage. Are the doorknobs clean and in good working order? Don't forget the front door, it is the first thing the buyer will see. It should reflect the inside of your home and look it's best. Painting a front door and cleaning the hardware should take most people less than 2 hours. Use a Mr.Clean "eraser" at the minimum, they are fabulous for taking smudges off walls and doors.  Check the floors. Is the carpet fresh and clean and free from stains? It is NOT best to offer a cleaning allowance when the carpet is dirty, dirty carpets turn many buyers off. Are hard surface floors clean and free from stains? Sweep up right before you go out the door. Are toys and pet toys picked up and placed out of sight?  Check windows, garage doors and window coverings. Are all the windows clean? Are draperies and blinds clean and straight? Is the garage door closed and in good working order? When driving by, the house should look clean, and clean lines to the house from the street. People choose the homes they enter by the "curb appeal".  Pet check. Are there any signs that this is a pet's home? Be sure to clean and remove kitty litter, pet toys and bedding. Even though it may be difficult, take pets away from the property during showings if AT ALL possible. Some pets create disturbances or are just too darn cute and that could cause the buyer to remember only your pet and not your home when thinking back on their home tours. Remember, many people are afraid of animals.  How's the aroma? There is no substitute for cleaning, but if you think it's necessary.....Try to air out the home prior to showings. If air freshener is necessary, use well before showings as a consideration to those with allergies. Some people detect an air freshener and automatically think you may be hiding an odor problem, so use sparingly.  Set the mood prior to showings. Open draperies and blinds. Turn on all the lights just as they do in model homes. Make sure all personal items are picked up and put away. Turn on the stereo/cable/radio to a classical music station, set the volume on quite low. If you have time, cook a batch of cookies or my favorite, bake an apple pie, to have the warm, welcoming aroma permeating the home. Here are few more key points for making a home’s finest details stand out: Start with the entryway. What is your first impression as you approach the house and open the front door? The lawn should look well tended and the landscaping cared for. Exterior architectural features, such as columns or a front porch, should be on display — not hidden behind overgrown shrubs. Garden tools and lawn ornaments should be tidied up or removed altogether. Tackle the clutter issue. You’ve undoubtedly heard this advice before, but that’s because it’s so important: Sellers will have to deal with clutter sooner or later, so they ought to do it sooner, before potential buyers have already come and gone. Clutter detracts from the home and should be packed up or thrown away. Pay special attention to the kitchen, where prospective buyers are sure to spend much of their time. Shine doorknobs, handrails, and more. Add a layer of sparkle in each room and the hallways by polishing the doorknobs, handrails, hinges, vents, and lighting fixtures — especially if you want to draw attention to vintage features or unique details that make the home stand out from the rest. Clean the molding and baseboards, too. Show off the windows. Those bay windows can be a major selling point — if they’re clean, that is. A good cleaning (don't forget the screens!) will help to highlight the style of the windows, bring in natural light, and draw attention to great views. Pull the curtains back so potential buyers can appreciate the full shape of each window. Accentuate closet space. In older homes, small closets are a common challenge. They’ll look bigger if they’re organized and not stuffed to the gills. A buyer should be able to look into a closet and be able to visualize placing his or her belongings into it. Box up non-essential items and store them in a rented storage space, an attic, a basement or a garage. A closet will look much more organized if, instead of a tangle of wire hangers, you use matching plastic or wooden hangers. Pack the personal items. Family photographs, children's artwork, and religious or ethnic decorations make it difficult for potential buyers to see the space as their own. Move your personal items out of sight. Potential buyers also don’t need to see the seller’s prescription medications, toothbrush, or socks hanging out to dry. Conquer stale smells. While a seller might not think twice about, or even notice, the smell of cigarette smoke, a kitty litter box, or dogs, a potential buyer is sure to be turned off. This can be a delicate issue, but it’s necessary to address. Keep odors to a minimum by smoking outside away from the house, paying more attention to the kitty litter, or generally being aware of the issue. Beyond these tips, there are some other things that you can do to enhance home showings. Place a vase of fresh-cut flowers in rooms that you want buyers to linger longer. On the kitchen table, a big bowl of fresh fruit such as apples, lemons, and limes makes a wonderful centerpiece. And use lighting to enhance special details, such as the marble kitchen counters or high ceilings. I offer to my clients a nice refreshing garbage disposer deodorant that smells like fresh lemons. If you feel that you need extra help to prepare a home for sale, you can contact professional stagers in your area, who can provide a range of services to home owners. I offer staging tips as a normal part of my commission, or I may refer you to a few stagers I’ve met and feel comfortable working with. As you know, first impressions are a big deal in real estate. A home with great architectural details should be able to sell itself. Make sure that distractions that could deter buyer interest are eliminated so that it’s easy for potential buyers to say, “This is the one for me.” For more information on how to stage your home, contact me via email today, I will loan you my copy of a Home Staging DVD that includes ideas, tips and tricks on how to make your home show well! Sincerely, Barbara Adams, REALTOR

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