Staging Your Home for Sale in 30 Minutes


by Shelly Galvin - Date: 2007-01-19 - Word Count: 335 Share This!

Good news: a broker wants to show your house this afternoon. Bad news: your house isn't in "showroom" condition right now.

No matter how hard we try to keep our homes neat and presentable so it can be shown at the drop of hat, the reality is that day-to-day life can be a little, well, untidy. As a seller whose home is currently for sale, I speak from experience.

Basically, everyone in our family tries to put things away once they're done using them. But we don't live in a museum, so I always have a few last-minute touch-ups I take care of before clearing out for the broker and interested buyer.

I've gotten my last-minute staging down to a science. And it only takes 30 minutes. (The bonus is that you come up to a lovely, clean home!)

Kitchen - 10 minutes
-- Get rid of the day-to-day clutter, cutting boards and small appliances so the counters look open and expansive.
-- Wipe down the counter, refrigerator, stove, microwave and sink.
-- Remove dishes from the drainer and stow away the strainer.
-- Put a bowel of fresh fruit or flowers on the countertop.

Bathroom - 5 minutes
-- Put out the fresh set of towels you reserve just for showings.
-- Remove toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash and hair paraphernalia from the vanity, only leaving out the soap dispenser.
-- Wipe down surfaces, sink, tub and toilets.
-- Hide laundry baskets - no one wants to see laundry, whether it's dirty of folded.
-- Put laundry products in a closet.

Living areas - 10 minutes
-- Make the beds.
-- Open blinds and curtains to let light in.
-- Leave lights on at strategic locations throughout the house so it'll look as bright as possible.
-- Neaten table surfaces.
-- Sweep or vacuum spaces that need to be quickly refreshed.
-- Neaten up your workspace.
-- Put away all personally identifiable paperwork so they're away from prying eyes.
-- Make your home scent-sational by putting out scented potpourri, baking goodies or microwaving an apple with cinnamon.

Curbside appeal - 5 minutes
-- Tidy up your outdoor space so it'll create a welcoming first impression.


Related Tags: sell home, selling home, home for sale, stage home, color by shelly, staging home, staging home for sale

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