DIY Home Staging - Westside Real Estate

Do It Yourself Home Staging

Westside Homes Staging

More Home Staging Ideas

Westside Home Staging

Westside homeowners you have decided to sale your home, condominium or income property. Reap the highest value for your property prepare by staging. What exactly is staging? It is a common term related to the movie industry. There is staging for scenes in movies and plays. When a movie or play is beautifully staged it adds to the artistry and themes. Staging has the same effect with homes. The buyer’s first impression is the most important impression. This articles for do it yourself staging. Not trying to break the bank preparing your home for sale but reap the highest sales price on a budget.  Single family homeowners have more control staging than income property owners. Homeowners can control how the exterior and interior of property will show to prospective buyers. Income property owners most time can only control the exterior appearance.  Examples of a poorly stated homes and then a well staged homes.

Poorly Staged Home:

Exterior Unkempt

• Exterior unkempt exterior;
• Poor lawn maintenance (something as simple as watering yard and trimming plant hedges).
• Trash and clutter in front and backyard
• Exterior painting (may need painting or solution may be as simple as trim touch –up).
• Cluttered drive-way (example: trash, furnisher and toys).
• Broken windows
• Damaged window screens
• Exterior needs paint
• Exterior trimming needs paint

 

 Interior unkempt;

• Carpets need replacement or cleaning
• Dirty floors (examples: kitchen, bathrooms and hardwood floors)
• Cluttered unkempt bathrooms.
• Cluttered unkempt kitchen
• Bathrooms and kitchen fixtures may need replacement or just a good shine-up.
• Cluttered unkempt bedrooms
• Cluttered unkempt living room
• Cluttered unkempt family room, den and or study.
• Cluttered closets
• Windows need cleaning.
• Room walls need painting or good cleaning.

 Looking at the above exterior and interior items the main theme is clean-up. Occupying a home we may not always enforce a daily or weekly cleaning routine. Some little items that need repair or replacement maybe over looked. What the heck after a time it is convenient to overlook these items. Your home is cozy and comfortable for your daily lives. Selling your home puts you in the businessman category. You are looking to make a reasonable profit. Enhance your home profitability stage. I am not going the expensive route with updates but working with what you have. Your home may or may not be updated.  Handy staging tips:

 Do It Yourself Staging

Exterior Staging:

• Keep lawn and landscaping maintained.
• May want to add more blooming flowers in bedding, pots and or add hanging plants.
• Keep front and backyard clutter free.
• Check exterior paint and trim for painting or touch-ups
• Keep drive-way clutter free and clean.
• Keep clean windows 
• Replace broken window panels.
• Replace damage window screens.

 

Interior Staging:

 

Carpeted rooms most times the carpet will not have to be replaced but cleaned. Give your carpets a through cleaning through-out the home. Vacuum your carpet regularly. Hardwood floor should be in good condition. Repair loose or damaged floor boards.  Clean and shine up hardwood floors. Keep each room cleaned including dusted. Keep room free of clutter. Check walls in each room. clean or paint walls if needed. Sometimes, it is easier to paint certain rooms. Choose neutral light colors. Examples: you may prefer a dark red color for the den. Conversely, dark colors darken room and reduce visual space whereas off-whites or light beige's lighten rooms and have a positive mental affect.

Things we take for granted and may overlook are: replacement of burned out light bulbs and clean all light fixtures, mirrors and ceiling fans. There may be leaks a minor as faucet leaks or roof leaks. Investigate causes and repair. Window treatment drapes, curtain and shutter. Keep window treatment clean.   

 

Porch Entry:

• Replace Welcome Mat if needed.
• Remove any cobwebs and grooms doorway. No clutter at entry.

Living Room Staging:

Remember buyers generally purchase for more space. Give your rooms a spacious look. May have to rearrange or remove some furniture.

• Keep tables, shelves, furniture and floor uncluttered.

Dining Room:

• Clean and clutter free.

Add a tasteful vase with fresh flowers on dining room table.

 

Kitchen Staging:

 

Check flooring worn vinyl should be replaced. Check for broken or loose tiles. Broken tiles and loose tiles can be repaired or replaced.

• Keep flooring clean.
• Kitchen appliances clean and keep clear of cooking items during showings.
• Appliances should be in working order.
• Clean kitchen counters, cabinets and shelves. In the case of kitchen counters less is more. Have a few attractive kitchen items on counter (toaster, microwave, blender and etc.)
• Check cabinet hardware for need replacements.
• One inexpensive update is kitchen sink fixtures. May consider replacing kitchen sink hardware.

 Bedroom Staging:

 

 

• Keep bedrooms clean and clutter free.
• May have beautiful bedding or consider new fresh bedding in neutral colors.
• Consider adding pillows and or bed shawl.
• On night table add a vase of fresh flowers, potpourri and or candles.

Bathroom Staging:


 

• Keep clean and uncluttered.
• Consider new towels and bathroom rugs in each bathroom. Use only for showing property.
• Decorative soap dishes, toothpaste holders, toilet paper holders and waste bin can add to decor.
• Check bathroom plumbing hardware. Hardware replacement gives bathrooms uplift.

Closets:

• Keep clean, organized and uncluttered.

Showing Your Home:

• It is depressing to walk into a dark home. Keep your lights on and open curtains.
• If possible keep entire family out during a showing. This gives prospective buyers the opportunity to walk around freely.
• Put pets outside.
• Turn off television.
• Play soft music or no music at all.
• Keep all valuables in a safe place. Items include money, credit cards, keys, personal papers and etc.
• Keep all medicines out of site in a safe place.
• Valuables should not be seen by prospective buyers.Keep in safe place. 
• Children toys should be organized and kept in one area.
• New fresh towels can be shown only for showings.
• Potpourri, scented candles, boiled cinnamon or nutmeg gives the home a scented homey feeling.
• There is something about freshly cut flowers. Consider flowers in living room, dining room, den and or bedrooms.  

Many buyers say that they made the decision to purchase before they saw the interior of the property. Maintenance of the yard is very important. First impressions are lasting impressions. A home that is enticing and alluring may result in a higher sales price. Sellers can stage their home tasteful and inexpensively. If your home is totally renovated or in its original condition one main key to staging is clean and uncluttered. Carpets and flooring should be clean. Check each room some rooms may need fresh paint.  Choose neutral color themes suitable for the entire home. New fresh complimentary bedding (solid and light color) can add attraction and space. Pillows and furnisher shawl also add flair.  Towels can do wonders. Do not hesitate, replacing old soap dishes, tootle brush holders, towel rails, toilet holders and trash cans with attractive items. I just recently, gave my kitchen a total clean up. The major job was the oven. I just throw stuff in the oven bake and forget about clean up. Well, it was a major clean up but it is great to have clean oven. Clean kitchen and kitchen appliances will be a selling point. Plan your staging and compare items needed at different retail stores. Keep in mind that you want your home to be appealing not just for an individual but for the general buying market.

Free advice keep window treatments open let the light in. Never show home in the dark.

Each west side neighborhood has its own personality. Regardless of neighborhood, single family home, condominium, townhouse or 2-4 units staging enhances property value. Nice clean, clutter free, well appointed, bright and enticing homes attract buyers. Some homeowners may prefer a professional stager and that is OK. With a little elbow grease and individual designing ideas it is amazing what a do-it-yourself stager can do. Above are suggestions for the do-it-yourself. Not all suggestion will apply but homeowners may find some helpful suggestions.

Buying or Selling Real Estate

Gail MercedesCole
(310) 853-9933 Direct Line
Realtor Westside Homes-Residential Specialist
Houses - Duplex - Condominiums
     gail.mercedes@exprealty.com