Although your home is a very personal possession, once you place it on the market for sale, in the eyes of the public, it becomes a commodity.  Like all goods available in the market place, you will have competition and therefore, you will want to present your home in the best possible light.  This is where staging comes in, the process of preparing your home to be as visually and aesthetically pleasing as possible and remove any real or imagined obstacles a buyer might have.

Think model home, where less is more.  A well-staged home will give it the appearance of being larger than it may actually be because the use of furniture, art and accessories is kept to a minimum.  You want prospective buyers to see the home and visualize how their possessions will compliment it.

As the saying goes, “you can only make a first impression once” and first impressions have a major impact on buyers.  Most buyers make a decision within ten seconds of walking through your front door.  Try to imagine what they will see when they approach your home for the first time and walk through each room.  And remember, the way you live in your home, and the way you market and sell your home are two different things. 

• Rearrange and/or remove furniture. Thin out as much as possible to make rooms appear larger and more accessible.
• Start packing and store any clutter or unused items throughout home and baths.
• Make sure all lights and switches are working.
• Repair or replace loose/broken knobs or locks on doors and cabinets.
• Shampoo carpeting or replace if very worn and clean tile floors, particularly the grout.  Polish woods floors.
• Brighten the interior by painting walls, cleaning windows and window coverings and removing sunscreens.
• Clean fireplace and hearth
• Repair leaky faucets and caulking in bathtubs and showers.
• Remove stains on bathroom tile, tubs, toilets and sinks.
• Fix any doors that squeak or stick.
• Repair or replace loud venting fans.
• Replace worn shower curtains and thoroughly clean shower doors.
• Make sure all kitchen appliances are clean and working properly.
• Consider replacing old kitchen and bath fixtures
• Clear kitchen counter tops and front of refrigerator of notes and magnets.
• Service all major mechanical items (air conditioning/heating, hot water heaters, etc.) and replace filters.
• Avoid extension cords in plain view.

Exterior

• Mow lawn regularly, plant some flowers, trim shrubs and remove all dead plants.
• Make your entry as inviting as possible.  Paint your front door and buy a new front door mat.
• Paint or replace mailbox and house numbers.
• Make sure all lights and switches are working.
• Repair, clean or replace screens or windows, as needed.
• Clean front steps and keep clear and hazard free.
• Make sure door bell works and has a pleasant sound.
• Check walls for cracks and discoloration, repair if needed.
• Remove oil and rust stains from garage and driveway.
• Clean and organize garage and ensure the door is in good working order.
• Inspect fences, gates and latches and repair or replace, as needed.
• Make sure pool and spa are kept clean and in proper working order
• Keep patio clean, neat and uncluttered.