Staging Your Home while having a CRAZY schedule/life...
I know we all live in crazy households these days whether we have kids, dogs, and frankly just busy schedules in and out of the house it seems. My family is used to having controlled chaos in our home with kids, a grandchild, 2 birds and 2 dogs, so I understand the challenges of decluttering and organizing and keeping it straightened up at all times when you leave the home.
I always say to my sellers, “There is a difference between where we live here and we are trying to sell” so some changes need to be made and I have some tips and advice.
Once your home is in good working order, it’s time to set the stage and show off its best features. That starts with a deep cleaning. Here are some ways to make your house look great.
Scrub every surface until it sparkles. We can’t emphasize this enough! You need to polish your home and keep it clean during showings.
Apply a fresh coat of paint. It might take some time, but it’s time well spent. Plus, paint is relatively cheap considering the impact it has on making a home look fresh and inviting.
Pay a professional to deep clean rugs and carpets.
Minimize clutter to maximize space.
Don’t forget to stage outdoors too. Clean your front porch and place nice planters near your entryway. If you have a deck, pressure wash it and add a few colorful plants to give the space an extra pop.
Make sure your home is ready for photos. Professional shots that show off your house’s features are an essential part of your online listing. Your agent should help coordinate the photo shoot, so that’s less pressure on you. Here are a few additional staging tips to get your home prepared for its glamour shot:
Stay organized. Again, a tidy home is non-negotiable. Channel your inner Mr. Clean or Snow White and whistle while you work if you have to. Just clean up the place.
Pick up the toys and pet stuff. Babies and puppies sell breakfast cereal but not homes. Keep the kid clutter and pet supplies under wraps.
Add extra touches. A pair of decorative pillows or a few green plants will add life to any room.
Clear the counters. Throw your juicer and blender in the kitchen cabinet. The same goes for your bathrooms. Pitch those personal items in a drawer to keep them out-of-sight.
Add more lighting. Bright rooms make your home look bigger. Open the curtains, pull up the blinds, and let the sunshine in! But before you do all that, be sure to devote time to washing your windows. In spaces that don’t get much natural light, a well-placed lamp can make a big difference!
Go easy on the rugs. Rugs generally don’t photograph well, and they can make your space look smaller. Your agent can help you decide which rugs can stay and which ones should go.
Put a lid on it. Your toilet, that is. Friends don’t let friends leave the lid up during a nice photo shoot.
Keep in mind, staging should bring out the positives of your house without overwhelming potential buyers. When in doubt, less is more.