Mark Slade - MoreMoney

It can be difficult to keep it in pristine condition each time a buyer wants to view it, so you may have to change your cleanliness habits until an offer is made. Don’t underestimate how a stack of laundry can negate all the effort you have put into presenting a neutralized home. For items of everyday use (toothbrushes, shampoo bottles, etc.), keep them to a minimum and keep boxes handy to store them, when needed. Clothing, especially out-of-season clothing, should be packed away, or at the very least, stored beneath beds. STAGING Neutralizing your home is part of home staging. Part of staging is setting up your home to reflect each room’s purpose or potential. It might be obvious to you who has lived in the home for years, but a prospective buyer might not be able to envision the purpose of each room without some leading. DON’T USE SHODDY FURNITURE Just as you want to ensure your home is spotless and tidy, you want your furniture to reflect this mindset. Having worn furniture that’s torn-up by age, usage, or pets will reflect poorly on your home’s appeal, even though the furniture won’t be coming with the house. There are professional staging companies that can lend furniture for your open house, so ask your agent for references. TOO MUCH FURNITURE An abundance of furniture can make your room feel much smaller than it really is. Stage your house sparingly, using one-third of the furniture that you normally display. This helps accentuate your home’s native architecture and provides an illusion of spaciousness. EMPTY ROOMS SHOULD BE STAGED It’s in your best interest to stage rooms to give potential buyers an idea of the room’s main purpose. If you’ve completely cleared out a room that once was your study, leave a simple display of a desk, table, and a lamp. This will communicate the “feature” of the room.

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