Once you have decided it is time to sell your home, the most important and least expensive thing you can do to prepare your house for market is to de-clutter and clean up. When we work with our sellers on staging a home, we first try to consider the obvious and least expensive route.  An uncluttered home that looks and smells clean is a perfect first start! Thus the first “R” in home staging is REMOVE.

Removing Clutter

LESS IS MORE! Rooms with too much clutter look smaller and un-inviting. Sell, donate, or pack things up now. This is one of the most important improvements you can make. Here’s how:

·         Remove up to half of the books from over-stuffed bookshelves. Also remove extras in the kitchen cabinets, pantry and all  closets. Do the same with extra furniture…it makes any room look too small and distracts the buyers. Toys…time to donate, sell, or toss the “unpopular toys”. Leave only a few containers at a time; store the rest. Rotating them every few weeks will make them seem like “new” toys! In general—if you find that you’re planning on keeping more than you can display, store them in the attic/basement, rent a storage unit or ask family/friends to store them until you sell.

·         Remove personal photos so that they do not decorate most wall spaces.  Sure it is okay to have some family photos, but not on walls in virtually every room. Remove un-necessary knick-knacks…display only a few. NO magnets, photos, etc., on refrigerators! We all love displaying them, but it clutters the kitchen too much! On the counter tops—leave only the essentials that fit comfortably. Buyers love uncluttered spaces, especially in the kitchen! Stow-away small appliances in your now-half-empty cabinets(!)

Paring your personal belongings has an added bonus, too - it helps you get a head start on packing up your house to move!

Removing Dirt and Stains

Removing dirt and stains is crucial. Give your home a thorough cleaning (including carpets, flooring, windows and sills, woodwork, ceiling fans and walls, porches and decks).  Kitchen and baths, especially, should be immaculate. Dust bookshelves, TVs, furni­ture, etc. Keep the front entrance swept and free of cobwebs, shoes, etc. Keep the lawn mowed and natural areas mulched and weed-free. If you own a pet, there should be little evidence, with no pet odors or stains.

Next we will look at the other “Rs” of home staging - refreshing your home with paint and re-arranging for the most appeal.

The real estate professionals at HomeBuyingForLess are ready to make your next move quicker and easier. Call us today at 1-888-201-8565.