by half—at least! Since we tend to love our stuff, this might be the most difficult rule of all. Our stuff reflects our hobbies, memories, and values. Unfortunately, clutter doesn’t sell a home; in fact, it hinders the sale. Clutter also makes a home seem disorganized and smaller.
DEPERSONALIZE
Get rid of objects that reflect your own life. For instance, religious and political items may turn off groups of potential buyers, especially if they have different religious and political backgrounds. You want potential buyers to see themselves as the owners. No hobby or enthusiast evidence! One prospective buyer I represented opened the garage to a house she was considering making her own home to find a partially dismembered deer, as a result of the homeowner’s hunting and taxidermy hobby. She moved on—quickly. She didn’t consider the home any further, although it was equal in most ways to others she liked and had an attractive price. She just couldn’t get past that dead deer in “her” garage.
LIGHTING THE WAY
Whether natural or artificial, good, bright light is one of the most effective ways to show off your home. Using light to enhance your home’s appeal can make a difference. Oddly, this is an aspect of staging that’s often overlooked. Light that is too dim or too harsh is unflattering to the finest furnishings and best features of the house. Assess the lighting in each area of your home for ideas on where to bring in added light. Rooms with abundant windows greatly benefit from natural light, as your home will be seen during the day. Supplemental light is necessary for rooms with smaller windows or limited natural light.
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