The housing market is hot in Texas - and that's not the temperature! So, what do you need to do? Maybe you are an empty nester ready to downsize or a job change due to COVID. As a Certified Home Stager, I am going to break down the steps.
The most important thing to remember and the hardest, this is all about making your house ready to sell to ANYONE. Which means all your personal tastes, trinkets, memorabilia and valued pictures might need to be put away, at least for now.
Hopefully you find a great realtor, that always helps! They may offer home staging, they may not. But let's get you ahead of the game! Because if your house is staged well, that possibly means that it sells quickly! I don't think anyone wants to show their home for weeks on end. It is a nightmare to keep clean especially if you have kids.
Get rid of stuff!
This should happen as soon as you have made the decision to sell. Even if it is a year ahead. Think of this as pre-packing. Be brutal! It truly is a great way to reorganize and the 1st step to creating your new home.... but there are only 3 options!
Donate
Trash
Pack
Get boxes and packing supplies and pack your collections, family pictures and anything you will not need.
Things not to pack!
Accessories - Artificial plants, pottery, artwork, wall art and decor pillows. If possible gather these in one central area if you have a home stager.
What does a Home Stager do?
Each stager has a different process depending on time and of course cost.
This is my process:
Discuss concepts with Seller on phone
Meet with Seller and walk-thru the home to discuss their homework. Could be a little, could be a lot. Might even include some painting. A home with many colors does not sell well. It is better to have a consistent neutral color throughout, depends on situation whether this is done or not. Discuss deadline for homework completion with Realtor and Seller.
After homework is complete Stager comes back and starts the process of moving furniture, rehanging pictures, making beds and arranging vignettes.
Optional - Go before photos are taken and possibly before Open House.
So, what do you do if you don't have a Home Stager?
This list is long! Don't be overwhelmed... do the chunk effect... a little at a time! Just make sure everything is done before photography.
STEP 1 - Discussed previously - Get rid of stuff! Get a POD or pack in the garage. Just make sure to leave attic access open. The inspector will need to access it. If you have ever shopped for a home... you know what the garages look like! It's ok to have mess in the garage.
STEP 2 - Clean, Clean, Clean - Especially Kitchen & Bathrooms. Bleach grout in kitchen and in bathroom. Please no mold or water scale!
STEP 3 - Repair any wall damage or at least Magic Eraser all marks on walls.
STEP 4 - Store all workout equipment. Nothing looks worse in a photo than a treadmill in the master bedroom.
STEP 5 - Professionally clean carpets and polish/shine stone or wood floors.
STEP 6 - Trim bushes and replace mulch in flower beds. If you have dead or dying plants (inside or out) - dump them. It certainly is not welcoming to see dead plants in or outside a house.
STEP 7 - Lighting! Walk the entire house replace all bulbs with bright LEDs. If you don't want to replace them all, then at least make sure that they are the same wattage, and none are burnt out.
Now comes the fun! Well, at least for me.... decorate!
How to Decorate for Selling your Home
As we discussed before, this is not about your personal tastes, it is about being on trend and neutral. Think VANILLA! You want the Buyers to come into your home and be able to visualize their items in it. Remember details are everything! Buyers can be brutal, so don't anything personally.
Kitchen
Put small appliances away. Place small artificial plants, serving plates, fruit bowl and fold kitchen towels. If you have a breakfast room or dinette - set the table like you would see on Instagram.
Family Room
If you have children and they have toys, put them in baskets, fold blankets, put away dog beds, put extra pillows away, make sure pillows that are out are clean and coordinated. Throw away old magazines! This is the #1 room that buyers look at!
This family room has a cohesive neutral color scheme, pillows are arranged, and the shelves have no clutter.
Main Bathroom
Treat the main bath as a spa! Lots of rolled up towels in neutrals - white or grey depending on your color scheme. Put bathroom products away (makeup, cleaners, shavers etc.). Accessorize with simple baskets, candles and plants.
Kid’s Bath - put away the toys. Also put away all bathroom rugs.
Primary Bedroom
It is the retreat that we all wish for! So, try to make it so. Again, remove all exercise equipment! Make sure your linens are clean and match... Even if you have to go to Walmart and buy a bedding kit! You will take it with you!
Great example of simple neutral bedding. Side tables are cleaned of clutter and remotes. The only thing that is missing is a plant of some sort. It would make the room look more welcoming.
Kid’s Bedrooms
Children's bedrooms can be an issue since they are not known for being neat. Just sayin.... Another reason to get that house sold! Baskets, containers and under-bed storage will a great help
.
Ikea is one of my best friends! Cheap, just be careful.... RTA furniture does not handle frequent moves well.
Bedding needs to be clean, and the bed made. Throw some stuffed animals on the bed to complete the look.
So hopefully this helps! Moving is exciting and sometimes exhausting! Drop me a text, an email or a call if you need help!
Cheers!
Laurie