| If you are trying to sell your home, you need to | | | | are hidden from view. Strong aromas of cooking |
| pay special attention to staging that makes your | | | | should be eliminated. An inviting aroma might |
| house look terrific. | | | | come from chocolate chip cookies baking in the |
| Staging your house means that you create an | | | | oven. |
| inviting, homey atmosphere as if the home was | | | | If you have a functioning fireplace, make sure the |
| waiting for its owners to arrive after a long | | | | fireplace utensils are clean and sparkling. Any |
| vacation. A home that is properly staged looks | | | | stone area in front of the fireplace should be |
| like people could live there, but don't live their yet. | | | | polished. A basket of clean wood near the |
| It invites the prospective owners to take | | | | fireplace gives a good impression of a working |
| possession of the home right away. | | | | fireplace. And, if the weather is cold or chilly, an |
| Preliminary staging activities include cleaning up the | | | | actual fire in the fireplace is especially inviting. |
| house, removing clutter and fixing anything that | | | | A bright interior makes your home look both |
| looks broken. This includes keeping the lawn in | | | | inviting and roomy. During the day, make sure to |
| tip-top shape, trimming any bushes or trees so | | | | open your drapes and let as much light in as |
| they look well manicured. You should replace | | | | possible. In the evening make sure all the lights |
| broken walks leading to the house and repair | | | | are on. A well-lit home allows your visitors to see |
| steps to look their best. Paint shabby walls and | | | | everything clearly without straining or searching |
| wash dirty walls where needed. | | | | for a light switch. |
| After the preliminaries are done, you're ready for | | | | Keep the temperature of your home pleasant. On |
| the daily staging activities on showing day. On | | | | cold days make sure your furnace is working and |
| showing day, picture yourself as a maid or butler | | | | keep the house pleasantly warm. On hot muggy |
| who tidies up the home, making it ready for the | | | | days, if you have an air conditioner, keep the |
| new owners to take up residence. You don't | | | | house pleasantly cool. A house that is too hot and |
| actually live there, you are preparing the home | | | | muggy or too cold is not inviting and prospective |
| for someone else. | | | | buyers won't stay long to see all that your home |
| Make sure the bathroom is clean with fresh | | | | has to offer. |
| towels neatly arrange on the towel racks. The | | | | Remember, you are preparing the home for the |
| sink and mirror should be spotless. Put brand new | | | | new owners. The more "lived in" the home looks, |
| soap in soap trays. Make sure the toilet is clean. | | | | the less inviting it appears to prospective buyers. |
| The kitchen counter, stove and refrigerator | | | | Your goal is to make the home look inviting so |
| should also be spotless. Make sure distracting | | | | the prospective owners will want to move in right |
| clutter like notes and pictures on the refrigerator | | | | away. This will help you sell your home quickly. |