Home Staging Tips
The following "staging tips", by award winning interior designer Lorna Oppenheimer, will help your home look its very best.
- Check the visibility of your house numbers, repaint or polish if necessary
- Create an inviting walkway. Add color with annuals, and a new doormat to brighten your home and welcome buyers
- Open windows everyday to let in fresh air. Appeal to buyer's sense of smell and create an inviting feeling by lighting candles or baking
- Sharpen the look of your rooms by paying attention to detail. Polish knobs and handles, and replace lights in bathrooms and kitchen as necessary
- Turn on all lights, especially at night, to heighten your home's amenities
- Create a focal point in your enrtyway by adding a picture, lamp, or plant
- Remove furniture to make rooms appear larger and allow for a clear traffic pattern
- Unify the accent pieces and details in your home. Replace old lampshades, bedspreads, and bath towels, and coordinate matching area rugs, pillows, and candles throughout all rooms
- Try to make a child's room minimally personal, and make sure it's safe
- Always test your doorbell to be certain it's in good working order
- Move your best pieces of furniture toward the front of each room, and your least attractive pieces toward the back
- Hang all pictures on the low side, and hang mirrors across from windows that get a lot of light or have a view
- Set your dining room table for a decorative appeal
- Place plants and fresh flowers in rooms to add vibrancy and freshness. Use big, bright, or bold accessories to draw attention to important areas of the room
- Try not to be present when potential buyers are viewing your home. If you are present, keep conversation to a minimum
Questions to ask yourself about your home:
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Does any part of my home need painting?
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Do I need to re-seed my lawn, or get my landscaping into top shape?
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What about my screens? Are there any holes? Do my windows need cleaning? Do they work well?
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Does my carpet need attention? Does it compliment or detract from the appearance of my home? (Carpeting and paint are the two most important cosmetic improvements when selling a home)
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Are my pets under control at all times?
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Are my appliances in good working order?
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What is the buyer's first impression of my home's exterior?
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What is the buyer's first impression as they enter my home? What can I do to improve it?
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Are my rooms free of all clutter so they appear as large as possible?
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Are there any items to be excluded from the sale? For example a special chandelier?
