GENERAL:
Prior to undertaking Staging it is advisable to do the following:
ü Purge! Donate or otherwise dispose of any items you do not wish to move to your new home. No need to pay to move items you won’t want or need at your new residence. Rule of thumb: if you haven’t used it or worn it in over a year, you probably never will (with the exception of seasonal and special occasion items). With regard to paperwork, keep in mind that, on average, we never look at 80% of the papers we retain or file.
ü Pack out-of-season clothing and any other items you will not need during the marketing period.
Scatter area rugs:
All should be removed for both safety and visual purposes.
Closets:
Clear the floors and neatly stack items on upper shelves. Dispose of unused hangers; they simply take up space. Limit the use of wire hangers; they detract from a closet’s attractiveness. Mildly scented vanilla sachets can be placed in the closets
Odors:
I suggest using Febreeze Allergen Reducer throughout the house on a regular basis to freshen and to cut down on allergens that may cause a reaction in potential buyers. Do not use plug-in type room deodorizers; they tend to be overwhelming.
Under sink areas:
Potential buyers will often look under the sinks for signs of water leaks/damage. Keep these areas as clear as possible. Use inexpensive baskets or containers to house your personal items and cleaning products.
Artificial plants:
Use only good quality silk plants. Any live plants must be healthy.
Bathrooms:
Keep toilet seats closed.
Window treatments:
Maximize the light from windows by keeping blinds open or up, curtains open, and window treatments simple. Buyers love lots of light.
Lighting:
Ensure all built-in lighting is in working order and that there is a light associated with every wall switch in the house. Try to achieve “triangles of light” in every room (three sources of lighting); this makes rooms appear larger and lighter. Consider setting timers on lights or leaving them on during the day.
Pictures:
# 1 Decorating Mistake--pictures hung too high on walls. Eye-level or 1/3 of empty space above—2/3 below—is the rule of thumb.
Paint:
For any scuff marks, I recommend Krud Kutter which may be purchased in the paint department at Home Depot. (It is a good multi-purpose cleaner.) Another product to try is the Mr. Clean Magic Sponge.
Deck:
(where applicable) any wood deck needing cleaning should be scrubbed down using a non-toxic oxygenated product. This will remove all organic matter such as algae, mold, and dirt without harming the deck or surrounding vegetation.
Personal effects/information:
Safely secure any personal information, prescription drugs, weapons, valuable jewelry, etc.