Staging Your Home
Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
The Cromer Group’s goal is to help you realize the best price obtainable for your property in the shortest period of time. To help achieve this goal, we have developed this exclusive Home Enhancement Guide.
The First Impression
Within 15 seconds a buyer has developed an opinion of your property!
Your yard, and the exterior of your house, is the first impression that potential buyers have of your home.
Yard – Neatly trimmed shrubs are essential. Consider replanting flowers or creating a flowerbed to enhance the appearance of your yard. Re-mulch everywhere!
The Front Door – The doorway is the focal point of your house. Repaint it if it needs it. If the door is in poor shape, consider replacing it. Consider adding an inviting “welcome mat”.
Home Exterior – Replace any missing roof tiles, straighten crooked gutters, and wash all windows. Apply fresh paint where it needs it. Be sure that the pool is clean and crystal clear.
Make sure the driveway is freshly sealed. Keep it clear of debris.
Second Impression: The Interior
People react more favorably to property shown under bright light than dark.
Lights - During the evening, or whenever you have potential buyers in the home, make sure ALL lights are on and use high wattage bulbs. This makes the room appear more inviting and spacious. Also, make sure window treatments are always open to let as much sunlight in as possible.
Smell - I recommend using a vanilla air freshener that plugs into an electric outlet. This gives your home that “new model home” aroma. Never smoke in your home. Carpeting captures odors. Consider having them cleaned.
Air-Conditioning - Be sure the air-conditioning is turned on and the home is cool and comfortable. This is especially important in the summer months.
Remove Excess Furniture - Remove as much furniture as possible. This can make your rooms appear dramatically larger. We can help you decide how to “stage” the living areas.
The Living/Family Room – Buyers look for elegant and impressive living rooms. Discard worn, chipped, frayed furniture. Remove or move around excess furniture to make it appear larger. Add lamps if it is dark. Open window-treatments. Set out fresh flowers often.
The Kitchen – The kitchen is perhaps the most important room in the house. Make sure the room is virtually spotless and smells fresh. Clear counter-tops of all clutter. Spruce up kitchen cabinets by installing new knobs or hardware. Cabinet organizers are a good investment.
Master Bedroom - This is the second-most appealing room to a buyer. Remove excess furniture to make it appear larger. Show the true size of the closets by removing or packing items that can be stored elsewhere.
Bathrooms - Make sure bathrooms are always neat and clean. Place a vase of fresh flowers on the vanity. Remove clutter from sink counter-tops. Add color and richness with new towels and a shower curtain. Make sure showers are free of soap scum and tile grout is in good shape. Most buyers pay special attention to this.
Bedrooms – Make sure bedrooms are spotless. Carpets should be cleaned. Fresh smells should be abundant from flowers or plug-ins. Organize closets to increase perceived size.
Garage - A well organized garage says a lot for your house. Keep it neat and organized. Hold a garage sale to dispose of unused items that create clutter.
Pool & Patio – The pool and spa should be sparkling clean and in good operating condition. Repair or replace broken tiles. If your pool is stained, you may want to have a service acid wash it or refinish the surface. Pressure clean the patio if it is stained.
The End Result - Make sure that the exterior and interior are both in order prior to showings. Appeal to the potential buyer’s senses; turn all lights on, home has a vanilla aroma, and perhaps soft classical or jazz music playing. By showing attention to detail, you can dramatically increase the salability of your property.
Leave the House - You know the saying, “Two’s Company, Three’s A Crowd!” Leave the house and take the family and family pets with you. Buying a home has a lot to do with emotions, so allow the buyers privacy to walk through your home. It is important that the buyers relax and “feel” comfortable and “assume ownership.” If you must stay home during a showing, be courteous, stay out of the way, and only answer questions when asked. Do not engage conversation and never discuss price and terms.
