Staging your home

Everyone’s decorating style is unique; one person may like a contemporary style while others may like a more classic Victorian look. But the true beauty in real estate is in the eye of the beholder. Many sellers spend thousands of dollars to ‘stage’ their home to show buyers the true potential of the living space.

Use neutral colors when staging your home and make sure your tactics will appeal to a majority of buyers coming to see your space.

If your furniture is worn out or just plain ugly, why would you stage your home with it? If you don’t have the extra cash to buy or rent new furniture, though, technology can be your greatest asset. With sites like Craigslist and eBay, you can purchase pre-owned pieces at a fraction of the cost of new furniture. You may also be able to find someone who’s willing to give you a key piece of furniture or two for free. Try to use smaller pieces of furniture to accentuate the size and potential of a room.

Think outside of the norm for a given area. Maybe turn a nook into a home office by adding a desk or a small bedroom into a nursery with the addition of a crib. Does your property have a deck, patio or balcony? A bistro table would perfect for sipping your morning espresso wouldn’t it? And don’t forget to toss a newspaper on the top of the table. Do you have a huge basement? Turn one corner into a home theater by adding a popcorn machine, light dimmer and big-screen TV.

When staging your home, make sure you stage the entire home. If your son’s bedroom has cloths strewn all over it and a foul odor, buyers will be turned off no matter what the rest of the home looks like. This could also give the impression that your property doesn’t have enough storage space or closets. This also goes for areas like your kitchen or garage. You want to make sure your home is perfect from the time a potential buyer walks in all the way until they walk out.

When you’re done on the inside, take a good look at the outside. Clean up that woodpile in the corner of the yard and replace any missing or dead patched of lawn. Do you have a large back yard? Set up different areas of in unique ways, like an area for a fire pit or possibly a sand box for the kids. Do you have a large tree in your yard? Hang a tire swing from it to show a buyer your space can be used by every member of the family for years to come!

Remember, this is your one and only shot to impress a buyer so give your home the edge you need to make the sale.

To contact me, call 847-292-4700, e-mail gz@zerillorealty.com or visit http://zerillorealty.yolasite.com.