What is the MOST important item on a staging checklist?

CLEAN YOUR HOME!

Before one can begin decluttering, moving furniture or adding items, clean your home so it smells clean and looks clean.  You can move furniture, add staging items, etc., but if the home is not clean, it is like putting lipstick on a pig.  If a Buyer detects an unpleasant odor, upon entry, that negative impression will stay with them.  Their guard is up, and they are only looking for the culprit:  sewage backup? mold? unkept home?  In the Buyer’s eyes, the home begins devaluing itself as soon as they detect that odor.

WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?

Look at floor, walls and ceilings of each room and wash, wash out wastebaskets, make sure bath/shower is sparkling, make sure furnace filters are clean, as well as air purifier filters, wash windows, wash walls in hallways/rooms, as needed.  Adding a little essential oil of lemon or orange to your cleaning liquids is helpful.  Having your house smell like a strong detergent will only raise flags with buyers. Buyers walking into an overwhelming smell of cleaning fluids also raises concerns of what the Seller may be hiding.

TOO DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO HANDLE?

Consider hiring a cleaning company to do a deep cleaning.  This will reduce the hard labor for you and allow you to focus on the decluttering and packing of your home.  There are also home organizers who can help you with this as well.  Enlisting professionals is an option for those who do not have the time nor interest to handle these matters on their own.  An initial deep cleaning and maintenance thereafter is helpful.

WHAT ABOUT AIR FRESHENERS?

I know people think plug ins or tabletop air fresheners are an easy fix, but I would not suggest you use these.  They are often too strong and emit more of a chemical smell than a fresh scent. Many people have a negative reaction to these, when entering the home.  Did you know these can also make your pets sick?  One option is to use essential oils.  Put a few drops of it in each toilet and you will be amazed at the subtle scent.  A Hepa air filter is always good to run and freshen up the air as well.

Remember, people can overlook a messy bed or outdated home, but bad odors can make a buyer walk out of a showing.

Contact Sharon Altier, a Coldwell Banker Real Estate Professional, Accredited Buyers Representative, Luxury Property Specialist and Certified Staging Consultant.  She can help you highlight the best features of your home and get top dollar for it!  Call #773.858.4158 to get started!