- Clear out closets and clutter- sellers can give away or pack up toys, linens, and small kitchen appliances to store offsite. Buyers are also forgiving of storage boxes neatly tucked away in a garage or basement.
- Focus most on the most visible areas- the foyer, kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and family room.
- De-personalize the home by removing photos, momentos, and dated items.
- Use plants in colorful pots or inexpensive wicker baskets to fill in empty spaces.
- Look to home catalogs for little details on beautifying the home. For instance, group books, pictures, and objets d'art appealingly on bookcases.
- Try angling one or two pieces of furniture slightly and move furniture four inches to six inches from the wall to create more interesting room spaces.
- Put away large collections- porcelains, plates, and so on.
- Remove valuables, prescription medicine, collectibles and breakables.
- Trim trees, prune shrubs, and make sure the lawn is mowed and watered regularly.
- In summer, turn on the sprinklers for five minutes, 30 minutes before the open house. It makes the lawn and driveway sparkle.
- Refrain from cooking anything that leaves a distinct odor, such as fish, garlic or cabbage.
- Hire a professional service to clean the home, including the carpets and the windows.
- Set the dining room table with attractive linens, dishes, and stemware.
- Arrrange fresh or silk flowers throughout the home.
- Light a fire in the fireplace in fall and winter.
- A mirror in a pretty frame can make a small room feel more open.
- Use as much natural light as possible. Add extra lamps in dark rooms or corners.
- Make functional repairs- fix dripping faucets, sticking doors, and broken fences.
- Bring in another pair of eyes- even if it is not a professional stylist. The person may see problems you have missed.
|