| The For Sale sign is in the front yard. The house is | | | | * Worst feature of the room |
| clean and the lawn is mowed. Everything seems | | | | * Repairs needed |
| ready for prospective buyers to walk in and fall in | | | | After noting the specific condition of each room, first |
| love with your home. An offer for your asking price | | | | make a list of simple changes that can be made. A |
| is imminent. That is the way it is supposed to work, | | | | fresh coat of paint in a soft neutral color can make a |
| but many sellers will attest to the fact that it's not | | | | huge difference in a room, particularly a focal room |
| always that easy. In this current market it is | | | | like the living room or kitchen. Removing old wallpaper |
| important to "stage" your home, showing it in the | | | | and repainting is always worth the effort. |
| best way possible. | | | | Simplify and depersonalize by removing family |
| The local real estate market fortunately has not | | | | pictures and sentimental objects. Store the old |
| been impacted by the current economic downturn to | | | | shabby chair and extra television set. Keep personal |
| the devastating extent of other cities. But that | | | | items like cosmetics, bathroom supplies, or toys in |
| doesn't mean buyers aren't being picky. With more | | | | containers that are easy to take in out of a cabinet. |
| long-term intentions and less money available for | | | | Keep a few cleaning supplies in a tub under the sink, |
| home improvement loans, buyers are taking a closer | | | | so a quick clean up is easy to accomplish when |
| look at potential homes. It has been said that a home | | | | someone calls to come see the house. |
| shopper forms an opinion in the first two minutes, | | | | Emphasize the assets of a room, such as big |
| which means a seller has to have their house ready | | | | windows or beautiful hardwood floors. Arrange the |
| from the second someone pulls up to the curb. | | | | furniture to give the house and open feel and make |
| Do you need an expert to stage your home? Not | | | | it easy for people to walk through a room. Flowers |
| necessarily. In fact, you already have an expert on | | | | belong in the garden not on the drapes or bed |
| hand. Your real estate agent has been in and out of | | | | coverings, so choose neutral curtains and bedspreads |
| many homes and he or she knows what buyers like | | | | to draw attention to the room not the decorating. |
| and what they react to negatively. It is a good idea, | | | | Stow away and de-clutter, but don't cram it in. You |
| however, to ask a friend or relative whose opinion | | | | don't want to make it look like storage is an issue. It |
| you value to walk through and give you an objective | | | | may be worth the money to rent a small storage |
| point of view. What may look like the perfect room | | | | unit. While your home may not feel as cozy to you, |
| to one family is a deal breaker to another. | | | | be assured that you will soon by settling into a new |
| Inside the Home | | | | house with all your favorite possessions. |
| Walk room-to-room and look carefully with a | | | | Outside the Home |
| checklist in hand: | | | | A few flowers or healthy plants in attractive |
| * Paint/Wallpaper condition | | | | containers at the entrance are always a good idea. |
| * Personal items (like photos, books, knick-knacks, | | | | Curb appeal really does matter, so take the time to |
| etc) | | | | keep the lawn mowed, hedges trimmed and front |
| * Condition of furniture and fixtures | | | | walk clear of debris. A little effort on your part to |
| * Placement of furniture | | | | stage your home inside and out, can bring big returns |
| * Lighting | | | | in a quicker sale. |
| * Best feature of the room | | | | |