| Once you've decided to sell your home, you're | | | | make lists of repairs and renovations and begin to |
| ready to stage it. But For better or worse, most | | | | turn your home into the future buyer's dream |
| of us are not the pushy stage mothers we need | | | | come true. |
| to be to make our houses really sell fast. The | | | | Every room must have ample amounts of light |
| truth is, if you've lived in your home for a long | | | | and space. Let this be your first goal. If things are |
| time you probably have a great deal of love and | | | | still a bit cramped, let your friend help you identify |
| memory attached to its quirks and loveable flaws, | | | | elements that can be moved or removed to |
| a tendency that can make the staging process a | | | | create a more open and bright atmosphere in |
| challenge. If you want to sell fast for a good | | | | each room in the house. Move anything that |
| price, you'll have to harden your heart, and get | | | | blocks light away from the windows. If your |
| help! | | | | drapes are dark or outdated, now is the time to |
| Living the Dream | | | | take them down. Pull your furniture away from |
| The ultimate goal of the staging process is to | | | | the walls in any rooms that are big enough for |
| make it easy for prospective buyers to see that | | | | this. Let people see what you're selling! Figure out |
| your home is their dream home. They must be | | | | which rooms need painting to brighten them up. |
| able to imagine themselves living in your house. | | | | Create spaces that invite people to use and |
| That their lives will fit inside its walls, that the | | | | explore the rooms. |
| backyard will accommodate their friends, that | | | | Step Three: Make it Nice |
| their style will shine in its embrace and over time | | | | Though many people consider style to be the first |
| their memories will become comfortably wedged | | | | element in staging a house, it should actually be |
| between the floorboards and window sashes of | | | | the last. The painting and polishing are the finishing |
| its rooms. | | | | touches that only come after you have done a |
| Unless you can get to know every buyer | | | | huge amount of behind the scenes work. Once |
| beforehand and stage your house specifically for | | | | you've done this properly, you'll probably find that |
| them, you're going to have to make room for a | | | | the style of each room has revealed itself. You |
| wide range of dreams. The best way to do this? | | | | only have to amp it up a little. |
| Get rid of the clutter. Edit, pare down, simplify | | | | Some tips for the final stretch: If you have any |
| and let go. | | | | pieces of furniture that don't match with the rest |
| Step One: Declutter | | | | of the decor in a room, these must be removed, |
| In every room, you want to make sure that the | | | | revamped, or replaced. Identify and make as |
| personality of its contents aren't overwhelming | | | | many small updates and repairs as you can: old |
| the personality of the space. Cheap knick knacks | | | | knobs on cupboard doors can be replaced. Area |
| from auntie's vacation and sentimental macaroni | | | | rugs can be installed. Paint can be chosen and new |
| art projects must exit here. Extra furniture and | | | | curtains can be hung. Try to keep colors as |
| hand me downs? Goodbye. Clear off counters, | | | | neutral as possible. Arrange your furniture to |
| empty and organize cupboards, spring clean like | | | | show off the best of what you have. Highlight the |
| you've never done it before. Create space for | | | | function and beauty of each room with simple |
| dreams. Once you've gone through every room | | | | furniture arrangements that invite people to enjoy |
| and removed every bit of excess you possibly | | | | the space. Dining room tables and kitchen tables |
| can - you're ready for step two. | | | | should always be ready for guests, never pushed |
| Step Two: Declutter Some More | | | | against a wall. Your entranceway should be free |
| Now that you've done as much as you can do on | | | | of shoes and coats and other clutter allowing |
| your own, it's time to enlist some help. Invite the | | | | people to enter easily. Bathrooms that evoke a |
| most ruthlessly style conscious person you know | | | | spa-like atmosphere are well received and |
| to give you a hand with the second sweep. | | | | bedrooms that appear restful are preferred. |
| Alternatively, open the yellow pages and hire an | | | | Lighting should be plentiful and soft, giving your |
| interior designer or organizer for the day. Now it's | | | | rooms a healthy glow and banishing dark corners. |
| time to do the deep declutter, rearrange furniture, | | | | Don't forget to have fun! |