Greenbook: A Local Guide to Chesapeake Living -Issue 11 | Page 28

FINAL THOUGHTS
While research indicates that staging might not be the
make-or-break factor in the sale of your home, there is no
denying that it could impact the selling price or how long
your home sits on the market. Marilyn Hendley recently
helped a client moving from Annapolis. She paid for an
initial staging consultation for her client, a service many
realtors include in their marketing plan. While the stag-
er’s recommendations included changing light fixtures,
updating bathroom faucets, repainting the main rooms of
the home and renting several pieces of furniture, the re-
sults were impressive. “The house sold in just days and for
several thousand over the list price,” she says. “The cost
of staging was far surpassed by the sale price of the home
and the short time on the market.”
Before you invest in home staging, make sure you do as
much improvement work as you can. Here are ten tips to
help you Stage Your Home to Sell.
Before
TIPS & TRICKS
1. DePersonalize & DeClutter
Your buyer wants to imagine the home as their own.
You need to make it universally appealing by removing
anything that detracts from a potential buyer's first
impression of the space. Take down family photos.
Remove excess knick-knacks and bric-a-brac. Make sure
you don’t leave nail or pin-holes, faded paint lines or dust
and dirt. Don't leave remotes, cords, chargers or other
accessories lying about.
2. Switch it out
Remove door knobs, faucets, light fixtures, lamp shades,
cabinet handles, switchplates or light switches that might
be outdated, damaged or grimy.
3. Make the buyer feel at home
Lay down a clean welcome mat. Place a fresh and healthy
seasonal plant at the front door, and a pretty bouquet of
fresh flowers in the kitchen. Consider investing in new
throw rugs to add some color and style: they don’t cost
much, but can really liven up a room.
4. Remove dated window treatments
Shades, blinds or curtains to make a space look larger and
brighter. Replace dingy or old-fashioned pillow covers
with something bright, fresh and inviting.
5. Consider restrained and tasteful use of baskets
To prevent smaller items like keys, glasses, and pens from
cluttering up clean counter space. Purchase a charging
station where you can keep chargers corraled and in easy
reach if you have to leave the house for a showing.
After
6. Get things off the floor
Kitchen, bathroom, mudroom and other surfaces get
cluttered quick. Invest in hooks, rods or baskets to
help keep the house looking as if life there can be easy,
comfortable and organized.
7. Clean up and clear out
You want your buyer to have confidence that the home
has been cared for and is well-maintained. Wipe out
kitchen, bath and mudroom cabinets and organize these
areas align the goods there and to maximize space. Clear
things off the top of the fridge: when this space is full, the
buyer might think there isn’t enough cabinet space.
8. Consider updating closets
You can use Home Depot, Loews, IKEA or a closet-
organizing service. If everything from plates and
platters to suits and ties is organized, clean and well-
kept, the guests who come to look at your house will have
confidence in the overall integrity of the house.
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GREENBOOK | SUMMER 2017