Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Day 13












So here we are, tomorrow is the half-way point (if everything goes as planned!) With the nice weather, we've been trying to get some outside work done. I put down some grass patch, some mulch, and we've re-painted all the white trim and columns on the porch. We haven't painted the porch floor or steps yet. As a Home Stager, I'm always thinking about "curb appeal", but I've learned from experience to make painting the porch one of the very last steps, or you'll end up re-painting.







I had a Home Staging consult last night with a really nice couple planning to put their house up for sale. They called me to see what suggestions I may have to help their home sell quickly and for a good price. Of course, all the "big ticket" items need to be in good shape: roof, furnace/air, windows, siding, plumbing, electric. After that, the home needs some cosmetic touches. What do I recommend will give you the most "bang for your buck"? Color, light fixtures, and flooring. All white walls are no longer desirable to buyers. You want to create a warm and inviting feeling when buyers enter your home. Color is a great way to do that. Of course, choose something neutral that will be able to go with most furniture and accessories , so the new owners can move right in.






Nothing screams out-dated in a home like light fixtures. In our area, the bright brass/gold light fixtures (as well as faucets and cabinet hardware) have fallen out of favor. Bronze, chrome and brushed nickel fixtures can create an updated look without too much of an expense.





Finally, flooring is a very important cosmetic element that may need to be addressed. The home's price point will dictate the type of flooring you may want to install. If the present floor covering is not in good shape, or can't be cleaned effectively, you may want to replace it before listing your home.



Not much left in the budget? Furniture and accessory placement can be a no-cost way to emphasize focal points and create a smooth traffic flow.

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