For Sale. How to Stage your Home Yourself
- Laina Collins
- Apr 26, 2016
- 3 min read
I apologize for the long absence; I have been BUSY! And I cannot complain one bit about it because in the world of real estate, busy is a good thing. Anyway, I have a new topic at hand for those of you who have kiddos at home and can't seem to wrap their minds around how they can possibly stage their home FOR SALE when they have little ones running around like mad men (or big ones). It is possible; it just may take a little more effort ( I know, I know, you moms are already putting enough effort into keeping your homes clean!) and possibly some training may be needed.
First things first, remove the clutter! If it is not being used, either throw it out or store it. This is the perfect time to do your "spring cleaning." All those toys, cloths, and items hiding out in drawers, corners, and closets you haven't used in years would all be great candidates for Good Will. Take down the family photos, buyers will be distracted by looking at the pictures instead of your home. Take down the posters your pre-teens/teens have hanging of Justin Bieber and Swim Suit Models, fill in the holes and paint over whatever crazy color they chose for their room to a more neutral and
crowd pleasing color.
Reorganize people!!! storage containers are magnificent items. They allow you to throw the miscellaneous items you can't seem to rid yourself of into "organized ciaos" and stack the bins neatly either in:
-Attics
-Closets
-Under the beds
-Garages
-Storage units!!!!!
You can also use the vacuum seal bags for all your seasonal attire you currently are not wearing to make your closets appear larger. And for those large, puffy comforters that do not seem to fit on any closet shelf no matter what may also be a great candidate for a sealed bag. These also stack neatly, are slim, and you don't have to worry about any interesting creatures getting into your things.
CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN! If you constantly keep the home clean then a surprise showing will not be a disaster. Vacuum each day, wipe off the counters when you finish making meals, give the bathroom counters a quick wipe down each day - you would be surprised by how the little things add up. This also goes for the outside of your home; keep the grass cut, clean up the toys, essentially just make sure it is visually appealing - end of story!
Clutter... this goes back to taking down the family photos and such. Basically, you need to live with the essentials. Your kitchen counters should have nothing on them, except maybe a coffee pot ( I mean, who doesn't use that everyday?) and your pretty paper towel holder. Everything else goes under the cabinet after use. Same for the bathrooms, nothing on the counters except a pretty picture of a lighthouse for example (your trying to amp it remember?). Keep it simple.
At the end of the day, when you are about to lose your mind and pull your hair out remember the staging is temporary. Yes, your kids may be agitated a toy they haven't played with in months was thrown in the yard sale pile and maybe someone will throw a tantrum because they have pick up more frequently (it may or may not be the kids...), but it will all come to end.
That is all for today. stay tuned and Keep Scouting it out with Me!