Staging Your Home for a Quick Sale

Although the term “quick sale” is all relative in today’s market, there are some things you can do to make your home stand out from the rest.  First, clear out all unnecessary furniture, clutter and personal items. Family pictures can be replaced with more generic prints or artwork while cute little knick knacks and collectibles should be put away.  Buyers want to see clean lines, crisp linens and furniture and want to be able to visualize their things and their style when they walk into your home.

If the trim around your windows and doors isn’t already white, painting these, along with baseboards, would be a great place to start.  Fresh paint on the walls is a relatively inexpensive way to make your home more marketable, but think neutrals, like yellows, tans, and muted greens and not that hot red you’ve always wanted to try but never dared!  Also, don’t neglect your ceilings as you would not believe how much a bright white paint can make your whole room appear larger.

When you have a showing scheduled, bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies or an apple pie that day, if you can.  But if your schedule is as tight as most families these days, burn a scented candle instead, about an hour before leaving the house, in one of those comforting, homey flavors.  This is particularly important if you have a pet, as who wants their first impression of a house to be au de wet dog or smelly litterbox- ugh!   And please, please, please, when at all possible, bring your pet with you when you leave the house.  I know what a pain it is to schlep Fido or Fluffy in the car with you every time, I have been there, but believe me, it will pay off.  So, invest in a good pet carrier and remember- it will all be over soon.  If your landscaping looks neat and tidy and the exterior of your house looks kept up then you are off to a good start.  Again, if a buyer can begin to imagine the possibilities, both inside and out, then you are already halfway there!

So if you find yourself ready to put your home on the market, take a deep breath and try some of these tried and true ideas.  If you want to spend a little bit more money, a professional stager can help you make all of these small changes and can even lend you furniture if necessary.  Your house doesn’t need to be perfect, just unique from the others in some small way. Buyers today look for charm, character and hidden potential.  With the help of a good real estate agent, together you can present your home just as it should be- a great little house for the money.

To find a professional stager in your area, visit www.iasp.com

photo credit: TheTruthAbout…

Sarah Reidy is a mom to 2 children, Meghan, 6 and Jack, 3 and lives in Gorham, Maine.  She’s an at-home mom, part-time real estate agent and freelance writer.  Before Sarah had kids, she worked as a Master’s Level Social Worker with kids!