Staging Your Home - Everything you need to know

 If you are looking to prep your home for sale to get top dollar you have come to the right place. In this blog we will break down staging and conditioning your home. Here is a breakdown of the topics:The top 10 reasons to stage your homeCluttered vs UnclutteredPet Odor47 things you can doUpdates and RepairsThe top 10 reasons to stage your homeIt puts your house above the competition.The home sells faster.Typically, it sells for more money.It looks better in print, Internet ads and multiple listing systems.It brings in more buyers and ends up on the buyers must see list.It gives buyers an impression of a well maintained home.It gives each room a purpose.It makes the home feel larger.Helps buyers emotionally connect with your homeYou get a head start on packing for the move.Use staging to highlight the most lived-in rooms in the house because this is where buyers will spend most of their time.Cluttered versus unclutteredMake the best first impressions!When you declutter and impersonalize your home, buyers can visualize themselves living there. Have you put yourselves in their shoes - would you want to buy a used car that is covered in crumbs, dog hair, and sticky floors from an old spilled soda? Would you buy a home in a similar condition? Of course not.The solution is staging, cleaning up and presenting the property at its very best. Another benefit of staging is your marketing photos will look great. 90% of buyers look for homes online, and I want yours to stand out! Photos that showcase your property in the best possible way keep buyers coming through your door.Decluttering tips: Clear off flat surfaces.Keep like-things together.Start with the bottom of your closet and work your way up.Clean out and organize drawers.Tame your cords Purged and re homeOrganize what you keep with baskets, well labeled bins and sturdy shelving.And more studious storageUndecorateDonate or sellPet OdorYou might love your furry friends, but are their pet odors turning off potential buyers when you are trying to sell your home?Many cat and dog owners are around their animal companions so often that they become immune to the smell and don't notice it in their home, so you might not even realize that your home smells of pet odor.However, when you are selling your property, first impressions are very important and if a potential buyer gets a whiff of pet odors when they walk in the door, this can really make them lose interest in your property.Ask your real estate agent for an honest opinion.If they say you have a problem, here are some ways you can freshen up your house without getting rid of Fluffy and Fido.Air everything out. Open up all the windows to let the fresh air come in from outside and sweep away all the stiffness and smells.Wash the floors and the walls with vinegar, floor cleaner or an odor neutralizing cleaning product.You can find pet-specific cleaning products at pet supply stores.Pet smells can steep into fabrics, so steam clean or dry-clean your fabric drapes and upholstery.Washing blankets and bedding with a mix of laundry detergent and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar can help to remove the smells.Before showing off your home, have your carpets professionally cleaned so that all the deep-down dog hair and cat dander will be removed.When potential buyers come over, he can place potpourri or scented candles around the room in strategic locations. However, be careful that you don't go overboard as some people are sensitive to strong perfumes.Keep your pet contained to one section of the house to make cleaning easier and keep the rest of the house smelling fresh. If at all possible, have your pets stay with a friend when the home is being shown.With these tips, you should be able to make a fresh smelling first impression on anyone who comes to view your home. For more information about selling your property, contact your trusted real estate professional. 47 Things You Can DoThroughout the house:Open the draperies, pull up the shades, and let in the sunlight.Create a positive mood. Turn on all lights, day or night, and install high lumen lights to show your home brightly.Remove clutter from each room to visually enlarge it.If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating.Keep your home dusted and vacuumed at all times.Replace the carpet if it does not clean up well.Have a family game plan to get the home in order quickly if necessary.Air out your home for 1 1/2 hours before showings, if possible.Lightly spray the house with air freshener so that it has a chance to defuse before the buyer arrives.Put the family photos in storage.Improve traffic flow through every room by removing unnecessary furniture.Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorative accents and removing unnecessary furniture.Putty over and paint any nail holes or other mishaps in the wall.Paint all interior walls a neutral color to brighten the home and make it look bigger.Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper.Clean all light bulbs and light fixtures to brighten the home.Wash all the windows inside and out.Use plants in transitional areas of your home.Make the most of your addict's potential.Remove and or hide access extension cords and exposed wires.Open doors to areas you want potential buyers to see, such as walking closets, pantries, attic, etc.Remove all smoke and pet orders. Repair or replace banisters and handrails.In the Kitchen:Microwave a small dish of vanilla twenty minutes before the home shows and place it in an out-of-the-way place.Highlight the eat-in area in your kitchen with a table set or dinner.The kitchen and bathroom should always be spotlessly clean.Expand your counter space by removing small appliances.In the Bedrooms:Create a larger bedroom suite effect in your decorating.Depersonalized the bedrooms and decorated them in a neutral scheme.Make sure that the beds are made, and the linens are clean.Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items, and put them in storage.In the Bathrooms:Do not leave towels around and wipe down the sinks and shower areas after each use.Re caulk the tub if the caulk it's not sparkling white.Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub.Replace shower curtains and keep them clean.Put out fresh towels and decorative soaps.Outside:Keep the yard mowed and raked at all times.Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway, and patio.Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture, and trash from the yard.Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios, and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept, and in good condition.Paint all entrance doors.Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint garage doors if necessary.Clean and shine all hardware and accessories indoor and out (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mailbox, address numbers etc.)Trees and shrubs should be trimmed and pruned.Using a new doormat.Make sure the front door bill is in good working order.Be sure the front door and screen doors work perfectly.Updates and Repairs Updates:A fresh coat of paint can completely change the feel of any space from “eh” to “aah”. There are a few high-impact updates that might be worth considering for your home depending on its condition, price point and competition. I can help you determine if any of these popular updates are right for your property.Repairs:One of the three sellers knows there's a problem that is bound to come up under the inspection, such as a leaky faucet, a stuck window, or worn shingles. It can be a good idea to make these kinds of repairs before putting the house on the market.The home improvement renovations for maximum ROIWhether you are selling your home, just purchasing your first home or are a homeowner planning to stay put for a while, there is value in knowing which home improvement projects will net you the most return on investment (ROI).