How to Stage Your Home to Sell - A DIY Guide

Home staging may begin with a thorough cleaning of the property, but there is much more to it than just that. It involves elbow grease, a natural feel for interior design and a hint of magic. Professional home stagers do an incredible job. However, if you are on a tight budget, there are still a number of things you can do on your own.

Think of yourself as a set designer for a play or film. You are to create an atmosphere that will transport the actors and audience into another world. Home staging works the same way. The goal is to make your home appealing to a wide range of potential buyers. More importantly, it allows buyers to visualize themselves living in it. There is definitely a little enchantment involved. If you are thinking of selling, here are a few tips for casting the right spell on potential buyers.

You want your buyers to feel they could live in your home the minute they step across the threshold. As visitors enter, make sure it is inviting and smells clean. A colorful planter on the front porch is a good start to maximize impact on all senses. If you are going to burn candles or use air fresheners, the scent should be clean and neutral – nothing too strong. Plus, there should be nothing to trip over or squeeze past. The flow of traffic in the entire house must be natural and barrier-free.

In order to create this ambience, most homes will require serious de-cluttering following a floor-to-ceiling cleansing. You will have to remove some large items, in addition to most of the tiny knickknacks, pictures and mementos. Pet bowls and toys should be out of sight. This part can be difficult, though, because of your emotional attachment to your stuff. On top of all that, closets need to be organized as well. Overflowing drawers and closets will only leave buyers wondering if their own stuff will fit. Think of the process as getting a jump-start on your packing for the big move.

Once the cleaning and clutter removal is complete, focus on the lighting in every room. Pull back shades and blinds to permit the flow of natural light. One or two family photos artfully displayed are fine, as are a stack of books near the fireplace or an heirloom quilt folded neatly over a bed rail. If you can, pull furniture away from the walls, and set up several cozy seating and conversation areas throughout the home. Always remember to have clean towels and fresh soaps in all bathrooms. Lastly, one or more fresh flower vases in the main living area and master bedroom are a nice touch.

Home staging is one of the best tools available to sellers who want their property to stand out from the rest of the pack. Hire a pro or do it yourself. Either way, make sure that the scene you create is warm, welcoming and irresistible to anyone who walks in the door.

Moving Up - Is Now the Right Time?

Home ownership is very much like life itself – a journey across a series of stepping stones. Many of us start out as room renters, move on to renting an apartment, buying a condo, then onto a single family home and so on. Sometimes, it is a straight line upward, but often, it is a series of ups and downs and leapfrog jumps in between.

The concept of “moving up” could mean different things to different people. It may be a larger home in terms of square footage or acreage, a more expensive home, or a new home in a sought-after neighborhood even if it means ending up with less square footage.

The decision to move up arise from various reasons. You could be newly married and looking to start a family or your children are about to reach school age and you would prefer to be in a better school district. Perhaps your family and bank account have already outgrown your starter home and are now ready to go forward with your next one. Even empty-nesters sometimes choose to move up by trading their large suburban home for a smaller, more upscale condo or townhome with a WOW factor. If you are in an overcrowded situation and can afford a bigger home, the decision to move up will probably be an easy one.

Your Realtor will advise you on market trends, how much you can expect to receive from the sale of your current home, and handle the listing, marketing and sale of your property. With the help of a mortgage professional, they can guide you in determining how much you can afford to spend. However, determining when the time is right to move up is a very personal decision. So in the end, it will still be you and your family who will decide.

Moving up can mean anything from additional space to a completely new lifestyle. It is all about getting to where you need to be. When the time is right to make the change, plan to work closely with a trusted real estate pro, and remember to enjoy the whole experience.