Home Seller Information

Staging Your Home

Most home owners who decide to sell their home want to get the highest price possible.  In order to do so they should make sure that their home is in the best possible condition.  Deferred maintenance is a turn off for buyers, so any problems should taken care of before the home goes on the market.

Staging can make a big difference in the way that potential buyers react to your home.  In fact, there are published studies that show that a stages home sells for more.  It might take a little effort, but it can yield excellent results.

Once your have accepted an offer from a qualified buyer you are going to have to move.  Plan ahead.  Get a storage box or rent a storage locker.  Go through your home and remove EVERYTHING that is not essential to your day-to-day living for the time of hear you will have your home on the market.  

Consider this process step in your move to your next home.  The less clutter there is the larger your home will look.  Leave the minimum number of pictures on the wall, remove all non-essential furniture, clear all counters, and remove unnecessary items from all closets.  Most people are shocked to learn how much unnecessary “stuff” that they have collected.  It might also be prudent to consider holding a garage sale or just discarding anything that you have not used for the past six months.

Use the check list to help make the best possible first impression every time you have potential buyers coming to view your home.

Pick UP Every Room

Check counters, floors, closets, halls and stairs.  Make beds, straighten or remove news papers, magazines, mail, toys, clothing, recreational gear, glasses and dishes. Check the kids rooms again right before the buyers show up.

Turn On Lights

You want you home to be a bright and inviting as possible.  Turn on every light in the house, even during the day.  Don’t forget storage areas, closets and the utility room.

Open all Window Coverings

Open all window coverings to allow the maximum sunlight to enter your home and to promote views.  If there is an eyesore next door you might consider leaving the window covering for that window closed.

Check the Bathrooms

Straighten towels and washcloths, replace with fresh, decorative ones if possible.  Clean the sinks and toilet.  CLOSE the toilet lid and wipe down counters, mirrors and shower/tub.  Air out the room and use air freshener.

Clean the Kitchen

Ensure that all dishes, glasses and cooking utensils are washed and put away.  Clean the sink and run the disposal.  Wipe down all counters and sweep the floor. Empty the trash.  It helps if the kitchen smells fresh and clean.  Some homeowners bake cookies during a showing—chocolate chip for me please.

Give Buyers Some Space

Buyers are frequently uncomfortable looking at a home when the sellers are there.  They feel inhibited and frequently don’t give the home a good look.  It is best if the sellers go for a twenty minute drive so that the home gets a proper viewing.  At them very least, go visit the neighbors for a little while. 

If you are thinking about selling, we will be happy to visit your home, complete a market evaluation and make staging suggestions.  There is no cons for our consultation.  (916) 337-0658