| So, your house is on the market, and once again | | | | it. |
| the figures have just been released showing that | | | | The first thing that anyone will notice when |
| prices are down... down... down - but don't go | | | | entering a home is ...smell. Be sure it is fresh and |
| down with them. Instead, get active and bring | | | | clean and pleasant. Use a plug-in air freshener; if |
| yourself up, up, up by doing something practical | | | | you have a pet use two or three plug-ins! Also |
| and truly helpful in the marketing process: | | | | fling open the windows for real fresh air, and try |
| home-stage. No, I mean really home stage not a | | | | the corny old trick of buns or cookies baking in |
| half hearted attempt! | | | | the oven. |
| It is bad luck if you have to sell your house now, | | | | It is sometimes the case that stoves and |
| when figures have dropped another couple of | | | | furnaces give off a smell of smoke when they |
| percentage points, but there are others out there | | | | are first lit, if so - do not use them; instead turn |
| who are also on the move and want to buy your | | | | on the central heating. Thoroughly clean the |
| house - if their attention is drawn to it. | | | | furnace and sparkle it with a special fire black |
| According to the National Association of Realtors, | | | | product from the local stove store. |
| the prices are reported to show a national | | | | Light is a bonus in a home so clean all your |
| average of being 15.5% lower than this time last | | | | windows, and your lampshades and try putting a |
| year. However, your area may be above or | | | | higher wattage bulb in all your light fixtures, |
| below this, so take your realtor's advice about a | | | | especially the hallways. For a cozy ambience, put |
| realistic asking price. He or she will also have some | | | | a pink bulb in one or two living room lamps, but |
| tips for home-staging but these will get you going. | | | | ensure that this gives a warm atmosphere and |
| How to get your home noticed - that is the first | | | | not just a dim room. |
| key to selling it so the home staging must start | | | | Bedrooms must be treated in the same way, at |
| on the exterior; more on that later. The second | | | | least the master bedroom anyway. Every day |
| key is the viewing and this is where the home | | | | put all the shampoo bottles, creams, toothbrushes |
| staging really comes into play. Prospective home | | | | and used towels out of sight. Strive daily for the |
| buyers want to enter your home and see it | | | | clutter-free look, bare bath tub edges and bare |
| looking like a show-home for a new housing | | | | counter-top surfaces. |
| development. In other words, it has no clutter and | | | | If you can possibly manage it, a new coat of |
| no personal affects showing; this way they can | | | | paint has been said to increase the value of a |
| imagine their own effects in the home and begin | | | | home by 700% of the price of the paint job! |
| to picture themselves in it. | | | | Obviously that clean untouched look counts for a |
| The large photograph of Fido above the fireplace | | | | lot with a prospective buyer. |
| will be a hindrance, not an asset. Perhaps they are | | | | Finally, the exterior: yes, yes, you know the |
| allergic to dogs and it will invoke a bad memory - | | | | routine - everything out of sight: bikes, skates, |
| get rid of it! And while you are in the living room, | | | | garbage bins, recycle cans and even the car as it |
| take away the CDs, the books, the ornaments, | | | | hides the nice view of your garage. A good |
| the rattan waste bin, the cat's toys, the | | | | realtor knows to take the photo when the sun is |
| magazines under the coffee table, the | | | | shining on the house, and to take the interior |
| grand-daughter's photo, the crochet behind the | | | | photos when the sun shines into the rooms, many |
| armchair, the ash tray, the spare rug and all those | | | | people love sunshine in the home. Buy a few |
| plants catching the sun on the window sill! | | | | potted plants and place one each side of the front |
| If you are still reading at this point..... then here's | | | | door. Group a few in the front yard. |
| some more expert advice: hire a storage for $20 | | | | Trim your lawn so that it is short and keep it |
| a month and pre-pack some boxes prior to | | | | green, also 'edge' the paths into nice, defined lines |
| moving. Most of us could fill one box with our kids | | | | that will photograph well. Ensure that your drapes |
| school paintings and fridge magnets! | | | | are tidy in the photographs. Hose down the paths |
| The fridge, the counter tops and the kitchen floor | | | | if they are pretty cobblestones to make their |
| must all be bare! Bare is what house buyers want | | | | color notice more in the photo. Now, sit back and |
| to see- it makes a kitchen look big and spacious | | | | prepare for the rush. |
| and as if they could concoct a cordon bleu meal in | | | | |