How to Be Show-Ready Without Driving Yourself Crazy
So you’ve decided to move. That’s great news, and you are getting ready to start the next chapter of your life. But you’re nervous, because you know that means your home has to be ready for showings whenever your realtor calls. Don’t fret, as there are many ways to depersonalize, declutter, and get it done without overextending yourself. DreamRose Design brings expert staging and interior design services to the table so that you don't have to feel overwhelmed about the process. We've also put together these tips to help make home staging less stressful for you.
The Big Clean
Your first goal is to take as much stuff out of your house as possible. Invite your agent over for an afternoon walkthrough. They can help you choose pieces of furniture and accents to keep around and make recommendations on what absolutely has to go. Once you have their expert opinion in your back pocket, it’s time to get to work.
Chances are, you’re going to purge about half of your belongings. Because of this, it makes sense to find a storage unitbefore you actually get started. Look for rental deals to make this more affordable. Now it’s time to get the big things out of the way. If you have an oversized sectional, more than one dining table, or spare bedroom full of furniture that you thought you would need, get them loaded and out the door.
All of the extraneous small stuff filling your nooks and crannies has to go, too. This includes trinkets, family photos, DVD and video game cases, unused small appliances, and books.
Redesign on a Dime
Now it’s time to turn your home into a blank canvas. If you’ve gotten rid of a big entertainment center to save floor space, you’ll want to mount your television to the wall, assuming you have a flat-screen. It might seem like a simple DIY task, but unless you are 100 percent handy, save room in your budget for a professional service.
Rearrange the furniture so that your home flows from the moment you walk through the front door. Remember that you only have one chance to make a good first impression; you do not want visitors to feel blocked in. Something else you don’t want your visitors to feel is that the home is already occupied by someone else. The reason you want things to look like a blank canvas is so they can paint their own picture.
Go throughout your home and make any necessary repairs. It’s also a good idea to paint, particularly if you have a bold sense of style. Neutrals are almost always best. Remove all of your personal mementos — family photos, trophies, etc. — and replace them with tasteful works of art. You don’t have to spend a great deal of cash on this; you can find affordable art online.
Keep It Clean
Now that you have decluttered and rearranged, your last step is to keep things clean. Give your home a thorough deep cleaningonce each week, and then tidy up along the way every day. Look for a cordless vacuum cleaner, or, better yet, a robot vac, so that you can make a quick sweep through the house without moving a huge vacuum cleaner from room to room. Remember, when it comes to last-minute showings, every minute counts. If you don’t already have a cordless or robot vacuum, look online for coupons to help you save.
Ultimately, how you stage your home is determined by your market and price range. The above tips — decluttering, cleaning, and making things more neutral — can help resolve some of your selling woes. If you'd prefer to have the staging done professionally, contact DreamRose Design.
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