Front Porch Today

Being able to relax in the living room, family room, and dining room is what makes a house a home. These are the places that you want the homebuyer to picture themselves unwinding at the end of the day. Take a walk through your living areas and ask yourself if they accommodate the needs of a homebuyer the way that they appear today.

CLEAN – Thoroughly clean the area,  especially walls, carpets,  and furniture.

KEEP IT NEUTRAL – If the rooms are painted in bright colors, you may want to consider repainting the rooms. Wallpaper decorated in prints and bright colors could also be removed.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER – Items such as magazines. books and papers should be packed and placed into storage. Clutter is distracting to homebuyers and may make rooms appear smaller.

DRESS THE WINDOWS – Ensure that your window dressings are clean and appealing both on the inside and on the outside of your home. Also, remove window screens and clean windows to make the room appear brighter.

DRESS UP THE AREAS – Place a vase of flowers on a table and set dining room tables with your best place settings and nice linens. Dress up the areas as if you were entertaining guests.

EVALUATE FURNISHINGS – Make sure that each of your living areas have appropriate furnishings for the way that the room was intended to be utilzed.

BRIGHTEN IT UP -  Turn on all of the lights for showings to make the rooms appear brighter.

When potential home buyers make the decision to see the inside of your home, there are many things that may stand out to them that you have become accustomed to seeing on a daily basis.

In order for a home buyer to take the step of buying your home they must feel at home the moment they walk through the door, What “home” should feel like depends on the home buyer, but you can take several steps to help each home buyer along the way.

The next few pages of this guide will take you through each room of your home and will give you tips on creating the perfect space for potential home buyers. However, please also utilize the expertise of your Agent to help along the way.

The Grand Entrance

First impressions are everything. In the entry way, a potential home buyer has an immediate sense of how they will receive your home. Decide which entry all potential home buyers will come through and communicate that with your salesperson. The tips below will guide you in creating a grand entrance.

• Check the condition of your entry door and decide whether it should be painted or replaced.
•  Place a wreath of other decorative item on the door.
• Below the door, place an inviting welcome mat.
• Clear the entry of any clutter, including shoes.
• Make sure the entry hall closet is neat and organized.
• Thoroughly clean the area, including walls and ceilings.
•  If the entry leads to a foyer, make sure that it is appropriately decorated.
• Place a vase of flowers on a table.
•  Hang non-personal pictures or a mirror on the wall.

 

 You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover.” No statement is more untrue when it comes to selling your home. A potential buyer sees a home’s exterior and makes an immediate judgement.

Most potential homebuyers will start their search for a home on the internet. If the pictures of a home create interest on the part of the homebuyer, they will drive  by that home to assess the home’s location and condition.

The drive-by is critical for the seller of that home, and while the seller cannot control where their home is located, they can control how the homebuyer initially perceives the home. This is done by creating curb appeal.

As a home seller, ask yourself if your home has curb appeal. Does your Salesperson think it has curb appeal? Are homebuyers that are driving by going to call their Realtor to make an appointment based on what they see on the outside?

Create Curb Appeal

Creating curb appeal is important and worth the time spent, plus it does not have to cost a lot of money. Below are ideas for enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Before investing the time and money, ask your Salesperson what improvements they recommend.

Paint:

Peeling or Faded – Depending on the severity, you may want to paint the entire exterior, however if the peeling is minor, simple touch ups will be sufficient.

Dated- If your home’s colors have become dated, you may want to consider updating your home’s appearance by painting it with more neutral or traditional colors.

Hint : Tour a new home development for ideas on the latest color palettes.

Landscaping

Lawn: Cut and edge your lawn once a week to keep it looking manicured. Be sure to rake your lawn free of leaves.

Shrubs: Keep shrubs neatly trimmed, If they are near windows, cut them down beneath the bottom of the window to allow for more light in your home.

Flowers: It is not necessary to plant flowers. Place potted flowers in your flower beds or on your porch to add a touch of color.

General

Outdoor Toys: Store all toys in the garage or shed when not in use. If you have many large playsets in your yard that will not be sold with the home, store those as well.

Trash Cans: Make sure your trash cans are sealed with a top and placed inside the garage.

Extra Vehicles: If you have ATV’s, a motor home, or an extra car on your lot, consider placing them in short-term storage.

Front Door: Place an attractive wreath or other decorative item on your front door to make it more inviting.

The above artical was taken from Hunt Real Estate’s Booklet on Staging.