Pick-up recent home decorating
magazines. If your not up to
speed on current decorating trends it will help
familiarize yourself with how interior design is being
marketed. Tab pages with low-cost ideas that which will
make your home say today.
Invite a friend or real estate agent
over. A second or third pair of
eyes will help you accent the best and edit the worst in
your home. Be prepared for some constructive criticism.
A good agent will not hold back on telling you exactly
what he or she sees. The object is to help you by using a
set(s) of experienced eyes.
You want to hear it before you put your home on market,
not as feedback from prospective buyers. Go room-by-room
with a worksheet so you can take notes. Depending on how
much time you have available for an update or a makeover,
you will need to prioritize and figure out what will give
you the biggest return. Do this at least two months before
you put your house on market.
Stage a home office if you don't have
one. They're not a trend;
they're required for homebuyers in 2006. Many homebuyers
today work from home part or full-time or want a space
where they can organize their life and park a computer.
Find an extra bedroom, walk-in closet or an unused corner
and convert into a home office. Make sure there is a
convenient electric, telephone and cable supply.
Focus on living spaces.
These areas are where the majority of
homebuyers will spend their time. Place a side table and a
floor lamp next to a comfortable chair as a reading
corner. Float sofas and coffee tables away from walls for
a designer look. Use area rugs to anchor furniture
groupings on bare tile and wood floors. Living spaces must
have matching table lamps. Streamline family photos and
place green plants in room. Fireplaces should always be
operable and on in season. Place groupings of candles and
clear glass bowls filled with natural potpourri on side
and coffee tables. Substantial wicker baskets can organize
magazines, remote controls and toys. Limit knick-knacks to
make room for staging materials.
Give attention to Kitchens.
Put away in a handy drawer all dish towels
and rags. Reduce recipe boxes, barrels of cooking
utensils, excess-cooking machines, and cookbooks by
two-thirds to open up counter spaces. For a quick update
put new hardware on cabinets. Find an out-of-the-way place
for a portable dishwasher. Clean off everything on the
refrigerator door. Omit throw rugs scattered around the
kitchen. Clean off windowsills to open up exterior views.
Organize cabinets with clear containers. If you can't see
the back wall of a cabinet, buyers will think you don't
have enough storage space. Ditto closets. Budget to keep a
variety of fresh fruit in a glass bowl on the counter.
Edit family bulletin boards. Remove old curtains and
install new wood blinds on windows.
Spend time on sleeping and bathing
spaces. Often over looked in the
frenzy to get a home on market, these spaces can make or
break a home. Buy a set that consists of a matching bed
skirt, bed spread, pillow covers and blinds to match. Buy
a new shower curtain and separate liner. Wash the liner
often if mold develops. Add complete sets of towels that
coordinate with your new shower curtain. Clear all
cosmetics off vanity. If you have an over-the-toilet
cabinet consider removing and place a piece of artwork in
its place. Remember to keep items in the "too much
information" category, out of view. If you have a
king-size bed in a small room, you'll pay to have buyers
over come this negative, so get rid of it now. Clear off
dresser and nightstands of excess. Make sure the bedroom
receives the maximum natural light. Install closet
organizers in closets. Eliminate wall and door hooks for
clothes. People might look under your bed, no surprises
please.
Remember first impressions in entries.
A simple consol table with
mirror over makes a nice entranceway. Make sure this space
is well lit day or night. Place adhesive under rugs so
buyers don't trip or slide.
