Staging Your Home Checklist

Remove all clutter from the house. Are countertops free and clear?  Remove all items not regularly used. Have you removed unnecessary furniture throughout the house?  Less is more!  Remove the art gallery and coupon collection from the refrigerator. Clean out all closets - just as important as the rest of the home. Clean out the garage. Since you've decided to move - START PACKING NOW! Rent a PODS storage unit.  You'll have less work to do during moving week.

Check the bathrooms. Are the surfaces clean and clear? Are shower curtains and doors hung properly? Is the flooring clean and fresh? Are towels neatly hung? Are all mildew stains stains gone in the shower stall?

Check the walls. Is paint and wallpaper fresh and clean? Are the walls free from holes? Are there any colors or objects on the walls that need to be removed?

Check the floors. Is the carpet clean and free from stains? Are hard surface floors clean and free from stains? Do your grout lines need to be cleaned ?

Check windows and window coverings. Are all the windows clean? Are draperies and blinds clean?

Pet check. Are there any signs that this is a pet's home? Be sure to clean and remove kitty litter, pet toys and bedding.

How's the aroma? Try to air out the home prior to showings. If air freshener is necessary, use well before showings as a consideration to those with allergies.

Set the mood prior to showings. Open draperies and blinds. Turn on ALL interior and exterior lights. Play backround music like classical music, light jazz or soft rock, set the volume on low. Buy your favorite flavor frozen pies, or quck bake Pillsbury cookies.  Shortly before prospects arrive, cook the pie or a batch of cookies.  The wonderful aroma always says, "Welcome Home!"

Visit homebuilder's new model homes for staging ideas. Although buyers have decided to buy a preowned home, they still visit  model homes, especially for decorating ideas.  YOU, the homeseller are in competition with a $100,000 work of interior design work.  You don't have to hire an interior designer, but, you can get some great insights into staging your home for sale. Remove furniture that you don't really use or need to have in the room.. Rearrange furniture, from what you are used to and what may be comfortable and functional to you, to make the room more appealing to the buyer's eye.

What about the lighting fixtures? Are the glass surfaces clean and clear? Are the bulbs clean, or do they have a haze over them?

Perform a Magic Act! Upon, or prior to, buyer's arrival - DISAPPEAR!  There is nothing that benefits you by being around the home during a showing.  Buyers are not at ease viewing a home when they know a homeseller is lurking about.  Don't escort, or shadow, the buyer's and their agent through the home. Good agents know the buyers they are working with and know how to present a home. It's my job to represent you - defer all questions from other agents to me.