CHAPTER 9 The Three D's
DEPERSONALIZE
Remember the discussion on staging? When readying your home to show to potential buyers, you must encourage them to visualize living in their home sweet home , but not YOURS. Removing all of your personal items such as photos, trophies, and collectibles is the process of depersonalizing your home. Knickknacks and wall décor are also personal taste items that may distract buyers from seeing the home as theirs. Carefully pack and store your treasured items out of sight. Storage units that can be rented monthly are a good option. Think of images in catalogues or home improvement magazines, and try to emulate these looks. They are always neutral, but tasteful, and without clutter. Go and do likewise ladies and gentlemen, but be sure to use professional examples when do so, not a family friend or relative that thinks they are a stager! If an image has found its way into a magazine or onto a company's website, it has been placed there because it has served as a good marketing tool and will appeal to many.
DECLUTTER AND DISCARD
It is understandably inconvenient to live in your home without the essentials that you need on a daily basis. However, any extra furniture or unnecessary items like books, magazines, CD collections, and hobby supplies, all add weight and visual distraction to a room. The more spacious your home appears, the more appeal to potential buyers it has. Minimize as much as you can without compromising your lifestyle. You want the 72
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