One of the ways to ensure that your home is sold sooner rather than later is to take part in a new trend known to real estate agents as “staging.” Staging is simply showcasing your home in its best light—and can range from simply sprucing things up to hiring a professional to come in and decorate.

Since you’re selling your home yourself, you’ll probably want to take the do-it-yourself approach to staging.

One of the first things you should do when getting your home ready for sale is to depersonalize it. Purchasing real estate is a largely emotional decision and you want to do your best to make your house evoke feelings of “home” to potential buyers. Of course, this is usually much easier said than done. The fact of the matter is that it is not their home (yet!) – it’s yours. Most likely, it has been yours for a long time, which means that there’s probably a great deal of sentimental value attached to every aspect of the property-from the faded height marks in the doorway to the garden in the backyard. However, these things will not hold any meaning for potential buyers. Therefore, it is important to showcase your home as a clean slate where a new family can begin to create their own memories.

Try not to have an abundance of family photos displayed around the house, as well as sports trophies, collectible items, and souvenirs. If at all possible, remove some of these items from view. Store them away neatly and make sure not to throw them into the garage or attic. Savvy buyers will be eager to view these out-of-the- way spots to assess the available storage space in the house and will not look kindly upon your feeble attempts at straightening up.

The next step is to make sure the house is free from clutter. This is often the hardest part for most people since there is an emotional attachment to everything in the house. Unfortunately, potential buyers will not have the same sentimentality attached to their buying decision. They may view the clutter as reflective of an unkempt house or worse. The best way to begin is to seek the advice of a trusted friend or family member, since it is often hard to be objective when it comes to your own things. Ask them for their opinions on what would detract from the house if they were a potential buyer.

The following are some of the things you may want to look out for:

Kitchen Clutter – The kitchen is a great place to start removing clutter, since it is one of the first rooms buyers will see and often serves as the centerpiece of a home. Make sure to clear the countertops as much as possible. Empty out overstuffed drawers and throw out those knick-knacks you never get around to using. The idea is to create open space to foster the feeling that there is plenty of room for all of the buyer’s stuff. And don’t forget to tackle the refrigerator—clear off the magnets and that gallery of artwork from your children.

Closet Clutter – Again, the idea here is to create openness. No matter how large the closet really is, if it appears crammed full of “stuff,” a buyer may get the perception that space is limited. On the contrary, if clothes and shoes are neatly arranged, the buyer will be impressed by how organized their closet space can be!

Storage Clutter – The ultimate culprit, when it comes to clutter always tends to be the “storage rooms,” such as the basement, the garage, or the attic. “That’s what they’re meant for,” we reason with ourselves. However, when selling a home, it is essential to leave these areas as empty as possible so the buyers can envision what they would do with the space. A garage sale is a great way to rid yourself and potential buyers of unsightly junk.

Furniture Clutter – This is the most overlooked form of clutter, namely too much furniture in not enough space! When you fit several pieces of furniture in one room for your personal living needs, it tends to shrink the size of the room. From an aesthetic standpoint, the room appears small and cramped. The less furniture you keep, the more appealing your home will be to potential homebuyers. This is the time to throw out old pieces of furniture that you don’t intend on taking with you when you move. Again, consider a garage sale to rid yourself of unnecessary pieces.

The Rest of the Home’s Interior

Plumbing and Fixtures – Take stock of all sink fixtures throughout the house. They should all look shiny and new. A good silver polish should work wonders. If this doesn’t work, you’ll have to invest some money and replace the worn ones. This should be fairly inexpensive and easy to do. Also look out for leaky faucets. A simple washer replacement should do the trick. Also check your water pressure. Savvy homebuyers will try running the shower or flushing the toilets to check water pressure gauge.

Kitchen and Bathroom – It’s time to pull out the Tilex and get to work on the mildew that’s been lurking in your moldings. You want all your tiled surfaces to sparkle. In the bathroom, replace the shower curtain and put out your best towels. In the kitchen, degrease everything—including the stove hood and the walls surrounding, which tend to get gummed up. Wipe down the refrigerator and cabinet facings and keep cupboard doors closed. You should have already removed most of your appliances and other counter clutter, but make sure that any necessary remnants are shiny clean.

Carpet and Flooring – Unless your carpet appears especially old or worn, a good carpet cleaning should be all you need. If there are noticeable stains or wear however, you may want to consider replacement. Choose something in a light, neutral hue that is fairly inexpensive and expands the size of the home visually. Light colors will always tend to enlarge spaces. If you have hardwood floors, think about refurnishing them—which can often be done for less than $1000. You may simply need to sand them and coat them with polyurethane to restore their shine.

Ceilings, Walls, and Paint – Check your ceilings for water stains. If you have any, be sure to paint over them. If any leaks exist, you will have to have them repaired as well. Also examine the walls for stains or paint cracks. These, too, should be fixed and are inexpensive ways to improve the appearance of your home. In fact, an overall fresh paint job is probably your best investment when selling your home. This is particularly true if your personal decorating space tends toward the dramatic—chances are a buyer will never get over the fire-engine red color of the bathroom long enough to notice the Jacuzzi tub. For no more than a few hundred dollars, you can give your home a brand-new look! Remember to choose a light, neutral hue to maximize the space and light available in your house.

Windows and Doors – Check all windows and doors to make sure they open and close easily. If there are squeaks, a spray of WD40 should help. If there are any cracked or broken windowpanes, be sure to have them replaced prior to showing your home.
Odors – Smokers and pet owners should take special care to remove any odors that may linger in the house prior to showing. If you are a smoker, try to make a conscious effort to smoke outside of the home or in the backyard while your home is on the market. You can also use one of the air freshener sprays that help neutralize odors without disguising them. Pet owners can do the same. Also try carpet fresheners, potpourri, or scented candles.

Borrow - Don’t be afraid to borrow what you need from friends or family, or even to rent a couple of pieces. One or two “prop” pieces are a preferable alternative to the raggedy couch your dog has spent the last three years gnawing. However, don’t ever leave a room empty. Buyers need to be able to visualize the space as usable, and you can’t rely on their imagination.

The Exterior of the House

Maintaining the exterior of your home is probably the most important part of showcasing your home altogether. Always remember that it is the first thing a potential homebuyer will see from their car and the deciding factor as to whether or not they wish to see more. As such, it is critical that it reflects the beauty and grace of your home as much as humanly possible.

Stand at the curb and consider the following factors when assessing the street appeal of your home:

Landscaping – Take a look at your landscaping out front. Is it at least on par with the surrounding neighbors? If not, visit your local nursery and buy a few matured flowers or bushes to decorate the front yard. Be sure to buy only matured greenery. Although the immature trees and bulbs are cheaper, you cannot afford to wait until they are grown while patches of brown earth occupy the front of your home. Also rake up all the loose leaves and grass cuttings and make sure the lawn is regularly mown.

Windows and Shades – Although it was probably your least favorite chore when the house was your own, you’ll need to wash the windows—both inside and out. Sunshine offers a bright, warm light, and can provide an instant pick-me-up for a dreary room. Once the windows are clean, pull back the curtains or raise up the blinds and let the sun shine in!

Front Door and Entryway – The front door of the house should be especially attractive to visitors. It is the first part of the home that potential buyers will be directly exposed to up close. Polish the door fixture until it gleams and repaint or sand the door if necessary. If there is any personalization on the doorbell or welcome mat, remove it. Remember that you are trying to depersonalize your home as much as possible to make it appealing to the new owners. Lastly, make sure the lock and key work smoothly and easily.

Paint and Siding – Check the exterior of your home to make sure that it appears as nice as possible. You may also consider renting a power washer and giving it a thorough cleansing. However, if the paint is peeling and chipping away, the only solution may be to repaint. You can do-it-yourself or hire someone, but in the end, balance the costs of a freshly painted home against the benefits of getting it sold.

Backyard – Make sure the backyard is kept tidy and neat. If you own a pool or Jacuzzi, keep it freshly maintained and clean. If there is a garden or flower beds, tend to them on a regular basis so they don’t appear overgrown and unkempt. Also make sure the grass on the lawn is kept neat at all times.

Overview

With the word out and prospective buyers lining up to see your home, now is the time to make sure your house looks its best. Never underestimate the power of a first impression! Once you’ve attracted prospective buyers to view your home, it is critical to put your best foot forward. Similar to first impressions when meeting new people, the initial impression your home makes is long lasting and usually hard to erase. Since this is the case, it is in your best interest to display your home in the best possible light. Although we all know that it is unwise to make snap judgments that is exactly what buyers tend to do. They will inevitably notice the paint cracks in the walls rather than the beautifully finished wood floors. Therefore, it is imperative that you take notice of the imperfections in your home and take steps to correct them.

If you currently do not have a Home Warranty, you should consider purchasing one. Homes covered by a Home Warranty have statistically proven to sell at a faster rate than those not covered and for a higher price. A Home Warranty covers your home’s essential systems and appliances should they breakdown and need repair. A Home Warranty helps protect the seller and buyer from costly unanticipated repairs.

To learn more about a Home Warranty and to purchase one for your home visit www.forsalebyowner.com/homewarranty.php

On the other extreme, some sellers make the mistake of investing a great deal into their home prior to selling in the hope of substantially increasing their selling price. Unfortunately, spending $5,000 to install a new patio in the backyard does NOT translate to a $5,000 increase in your selling price. Sure, the buyer may love the fact that the house now comes complete with a brand-new mahogany deck, but they certainly don’t want to pay an extra penny for it!

Remember -- your goal is to maximize the attractiveness of your home, not entirely redo it. A thorough cosmetic overhaul is usually all that’s necessary to make your home more desirable.

Below is a quick list of inexpensive improvements that can greatly increase the curb appeal of your home:

Maintain a well-manicured front yard. The lawn should be neatly trimmed and free of weeds. Flower beds should appear well kept and attractive. Also make sure that any shrubs and bushes up front are also trimmed.

Check that windows and screens are free of cracks or tears and replace them if necessary. Be sure that the windows are sparkling clean and redo any chipped paint.

Pull back the curtains and lift up the shades!

Examine the outside of the house to decide whether or not it can be spot-washed, power-washed, or if it needs a new coat of paint.

Your front door and entrance way should be in immaculate condition. Consider a coat of fresh paint or lacquer. Ensure that the doorbell and entryway light are in good working condition.

To increase visual appeal, you may want to plant flowers outside and place floral arrangements throughout the house.

One of the most effective, yet inexpensive tactics, to improve the look of your home is a coat of fresh paint! You’d be amazed at the difference a paint job can have, from brightening a room to making it appear more spacious.

Perform a thorough clean up of your home. Shampoo the rugs, mop and wax the floors, and dust everywhere! Mop hardwood floors or wax them until they shine. Don’t underestimate the impact this can have, as potential buyers WILL be able to spot those dusty book shelves or those coffee stains in the rug!

Rid yourself of all unnecessary clutter. This will help buyers better visualize how they will redecorate your home to suit their taste. As a bonus, the neater your home, the more spacious and appealing it will appear to a prospective buyer.

Thoroughly clean all walls to make sure there are no finger prints or smudges. Check wallpaper for nicks and tears.

Have all doorknobs tightened and hinges oiled. This would be a good time to take care of that door that endlessly squeaks.

Make sure that all bathrooms in the house are spotless! People immediately tend to notice its condition and every care should be taken to ensure it remains fresh, clean, and sanitary. Remember to replace any leaky faucets and re-caulk the tiles.

Degunk your kitchen. Get the grease off the stove and walls, wipe down all the cabinet doors, and clean off the refrigerator. Run a lemon through the garbage disposal.

Beg and borrow to get the pieces—of furniture or other accessories—that could make the deal!

Although you may have grown accustomed to the small imperfections in your home, prospective buyers notice EVERYTHING and it will weigh heavily when they make their final decision. By taking the time to make these minor improvements, you automatically make your home more marketable and can increase your selling price.