Tips and Tricks

Staging Tips and Tricks By Award Winning Interior Designer and Your Neighborhood Broker . . . . Kirby Riggs

A good rule to follow regarding preparing your home for market is to do cosmetic things which will improve your chances of selling. The most crucial improvement and the easiest to accomplish initially is to REMOVE ALL CLUTTER!! I mean it! Pack away your teddy bears, mementos, family photos. Accessorize with larger scale items that create simplicity that will not distract buyer’s concentration. Avoid making major changes unless the changes will increase the value of the home substantially more than the cost of the improvements, keeping in mind the improved value is subjective!

First impressions are often lasting impressions. Approach staging your home from a buyer’s perspective. . . . What would make this home look presentable and, ultimately, the most desirable to bring in the highest offer in the fastest time. Here are my suggestions . . .

Exterior

Make the landscaping as colorful, well kept, clean, fresh and attractive as possible. To do this:

HIRE A GARDENER TO MAINTAIN PROPERTY UNTIL SOLD INCLUDING FERTILIZING, REMOVING WEEDS AND TRIMMING WHEN NECESSARY.
Remove debris, dead plants, and garden clutter. Don't forget to clean out the gutters too.
Clip back shrubbery that is overgrown in flower beds and along walkways.
Reduce bulk in landscaping (shrubs, trees) that block sunlight and/or creates density.
Power-wash with hose to remove cobwebs and bugs along window sills, under eaves, front door, driveway, and walkways.
Plant colorful flowers along walkways, with potted flowers at front door.
If garden bark is used, freshen with new bark.
Replace doormat with clean welcome mat.
Clean exterior doors, especially front door and all hardware. Remove cobwebs from all exterior light fixtures on house and/or in garden.
Wind up that hose! And . . . Remove anything along walkways that may hinder access or endanger life!!
It is money well spent to paint your house if it looks tired and shows evidence of wear and tear. The initial dollars spent will end up back in your pocket! At least paint the trim, shutters and/or front door. Choose a palette of earthy neutral colors that enhance and visually expand the exterior. Avoid wall colors such as blue or green.
Make certain house numbers are visible and shinning.
Polish to shine all exterior and interior hardware!

Check all exterior and interior locks to make certain in working order. Fix if necessary.
Check to make certain the doorbell works and repair if necessary.
Inspect the roof and gutters and determine repairs and/or replacement of shingles/tiles where necessary. Clean out gutters.

Interior

Carry through same staging strategy as exterior, but with emphasis on creating an interior that is comfortable, inviting, and well maintained.

FIRST . . . Have professional window washers clean windows inside and out including cleaning shutters/blinds, window sills, tracks and screens. You would think this is obvious, but it’s surprising how this one important element is often overlooked!!
For sliding doors that stick on their tracks, rub the tracks with paraffin or candle wax after thorough cleaning.
Have professional cleaning service come in to clean and polish all floor, counters, cabinet, and/or banister surfaces.
Replace broken glass.
Mend torn screens.
Check to make certain all windows will open and close easily.
Repair dripping faucets.
Re-caulk where necessary around sinks, showers, tubs, toilets.
Replace cracked tiles and re-grout where necessary.
Check ceiling plaster and repair cracks and/or visible seams in dry wall/plaster.
Check ceilings for water leak stains. Fix the cause of the damage, repair the ceiling/wall and paint.
If painting interior, it is safest to choose soft pastels. Call me if you wish a free color consultation before you begin your interior market preparations. This is an important cosmetic improvement that can make or break your presentation. It is best to be careful and obtain professional guidance wherever possible!!
All fireplaces should be cleaned out and with fresh logs placed on grate. Clean soot from surround tile and repaint where necessary. If wood-burning - have chimney sweep clean & certified.
Clean interior pendant lightings, bathroom vanity bulbs and lamps. Replace burnt out bulbs with new, brighter bulbs.
Make certain all light switches work.
Sweep, clean and polish wood floors and make certain nailed down properly to eliminate creaking or unsightly warping.
Straighten closets, getting rid of excess stuff. Use air freshener to eliminate orders.
Lubricate sticky or squeaky doors.
Clean out and/or pack up garage, attic and/or basement excess items.
Now Your Home is Ready for Buyers . . . Almost !!

Titillate buyer’s senses! Open windows to bring the fresh air in, light fragrant candles (please, nothing overpowering!), bake goodies and leave out for buyer guests, play soft background music and, of-course, eliminate clutter. Also, paying attention to detail, remember . . .

For security purposes, remove all personal valuables where necessary!
During the day and at night keep window treatments open. Turn on interior and exterior lighting to showcase your home’s features and to help bring in natural day light.
Have your home well lighted during showings.
Create a focal point in your entryway by adding a picture, lamp/table and/or plant.
Plant up-lighting is a trick few stagers employ and it really dramatizes interior spaces. Try it and see for yourself. Plant leaf silhouettes are beautiful at night.
Remove large scale furniture to make rooms appear larger and allow for a clear traffic pattern.
If your home is vacant, stage your home with living room/dining room rental furniture/accessories to help create an inviting interior.
Remove tattered furniture entirely and replace with more appealing furniture items found elsewhere in your home or obtained through furniture rental businesses. Cost is minor and makes a tremendous difference.
Move best furniture pieces toward the front of each room and your least attractive pieces toward the back.
Hang all pictures on the low side and hang mirrors across from view windows or that have good light.
Llive plants and flowers to add vibrancy and freshness. Minimally & carefully use silk flowers/plants, at least dust off the foliage! You want a proportionate, fresh arrangement. Anything else would be detrimental to the staging objective.
Use large scale and bright colored accessories to emphasize important areas of the room.
Unify the accent pieces and details in your home. Replace old or worn lampshades, bedspreads and bath towels and coordinate matching area rugs, pillows and candles throughout all rooms.
Keep children’s play items in their rooms and best in closets!
Turn off TV and other distracting noise producing electronics.
Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms:
- Clean, take away all clutter and replace with fresh flowers where possible, bright accessories, new towels, rugs.
- Remove utilitarian and personal items (toasters, coffee makers, toothbrushes, etc.)
- NO DIRTY DISHES IN THE SINK OR ON THE FLOOR!!
- Bring interesting artwork to these areas using easels on counter with potted plants and up lights!!
- In corners, remember live plants, accessories with hidden up lights behind to tight otherwise dark spaces.
Leave the premises, if there is a showing.
Refer direct inquiries you receive about seeing your house to your Realtor®.
Don’t mention items you wish to sell to prospective buyers unless asked. Such discussions can kill the deal.
All pets should be contained, in garage or outside. Leave a warning as to the location of pets on the premises.
Do not tag along while real estate agent is showing your property. Answer questions candidly when asked, but don’t offer answers to unasked questions.

Contact Kirby Riggs for your home’s free market preparation and staging consultation! (916) 580-8888.