A Fresh Look, One Day Decorating Service, Kit Davey, Interior Designer

Kit Davey, Interior Designer

18 Years in business - Over 2,600 homes transformed!

Tips From Kit - Mid May 2001

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Staging Your Home for Sale to Maximize Your Profits

By Kit Davey

If you plan to sell your home in the next two to three months, you face the challenge of getting top dollar in an unpredictable market. There is a sizeable inventory of homes on the market, homes are taking longer to sell, and dot.com failures and the declining stock market have affected buyer’s confidnece. All these factors mean sellers must work harder to attract a buyer.

Most real estate agents will tell you that a staged home sells for a higher price and more quickly than a home which has not been merchandised to sell. You don’t have to move out, rent overstuffed furniture, and sterilize your home to give it the look that potential buyers like. With minimal investment, some elbow grease and creativity you can stage your own home, increasing your chances of a quick sale at a great price.

With the glut of homes on the market, you need to do everything possible to make your home appealing and memorable to the smaller pool of buyers out there. Buyers are attracted to a home that is spacious, light-filled, uncluttered, well maintained and clean.

It’s difficult to display these qualities in your home without knowing exactly what to do, so:

Copy checklists from how-to-sell-your-home books available at the library.
Pick up a video or brochure on home sale preparation from your real estate agent.
Have a blunt but trusted friend walk through your home with you and make suggestions for improvements. Your real estate agent may also be willing to do this.
Hire a "stager" or decorator for an hour or two to give you feedback. A staging specialist has objective professional experience and can see what you have grown accustomed to over the years---like clutter. Your agent may be willing to pay for, or split, the cost of this service.

Potential buyers prefer a neutral canvas so they can move right in without a lot of work. Light neutral finishes (i.e. paint color, flooring, countertop surfaces, etc.) reflect light, expand space and blend in with anyone’s furnishings and décor. Your home’s exterior should be a warm neutral with white or other neutral trim. Paint the front door and shutters a traditional color, such as forest green, navy blue, black or burgundy. The interior should be painted a warm white, light taupe or beige. It’s best to remove loud wallpaper, but if your home’s style requires it, make sure it has a light background with traces of color from the rest of the room. Carpeting, tile and vinyl should also be a light neutral in the same family as the paint. If your hardwood floors are in good shape, expose them.

Survey your home so that you can create a list of needed changes. Focus on increasing the apparent amount of space and light, eliminating distracting clutter and making sure everything works. Start with the front of the house, go through each room and then out to the back yard. Be critical and observant, looking at your home as if you were a potential buyer. Use the following checklist to assist you:

Exterior

Fertilize lawn or replace tired lawn with sod.
Trim shrubs, trees and edge lawn.
Clear walkway to front door.
No cars, boats or trailers on driveway or in front of the house on viewing days. Store away hoses, trash cans, recycling bins and bikes.
Wash windows.
Replace dated house numbers.
Plant colorful annuals along the walkway and in beds to either side of front door.
Cover flower beds with tanbark, or rake soil for homogenous look.

Entrance

Clear off porch; remove dead plants. If enough space, display plants in clay pots; arrange wood or metal garden furniture.
Replace doormat.
Clean or replace light fixture.
Polish or replace doorknob, kick-plate, doorbell.

Front hall

Remove any furniture crowding the space.
Leave lights on and use maximum wattage bulbs.
Hang a mirror instead of art to reflect light.
Remove area rug (to expand space).
Notice smells---clean carpeting, drapes and upholstery to remove smoke/pet smells.
Clean out hall closet.

Family and living rooms

Open curtains and turn on lights.
Remove excess furniture and accessories.
Lay logs in fireplace; add cones and green pine boughs.
Remove old fireplace screen.
Leave three to six items on mantel.
Remove religious and political items, sports trophies and family photos.
Remove magazines and newspapers.
Replace or clean carpet.

Dining Room

Remove leaf from table.
Leave 4 chairs around table and store extras.
Don’t use a tablecloth or set table.
Place a simple centerpiece on table.
Wash/replace chandelier.
Reduce clutter in buffet.

Kitchen

Clean until it sparkles.
Paint dark cabinets white.
Replace outdated handles/knobs.
Expose counter space; store appliances.
Remove refrigerator magnets and bulletin boards.
Scrub or replace sink.
Add a plant, basket of fruit, vase of flowers.

Bedrooms

Store excess furniture and clutter.
New bedspread and pillows, if necessary.
Leave 1 to 3 decorative items on dressers.
Remove temptations: jewelry boxes, prescription drugs, collections
Clean out closet.
Add a live plant or vase of flowers.
In kid’s rooms: remove tacked up posters, loose artwork.

Bathrooms

Paint dark cabinets white.
Replace outdated knobs/pulls.
Remove shower curtain or get new one.
Leave tub enclosure open.
Shine or replace faucets.
Clear off countertops; display basket of potpourri, soaps or towels.
Add a plant or vase of flowers.
Remove area rug and seat-warmer.
Store trash can and tissue boxes.
Replace old toilet seat.
Replace old vinyl.
Purchase new towels.

Garage

Tidy stored items.
Remove hazards to visitors.
Remove oil spots.

Backyard

Trim overgrown plants, remove debris and stored items.
Move barbecue to side of house.
Arrange garden furniture. Use wood, metal or cement furniture—no plastic.
Remove empty pots, dead plants, tools.
Place clay pots of flowers in groupings near door, by furniture or pool.
Repair/power wash deck.
Add tan bark to flower beds.

Kit Davey is a Redwood City-based interior designer specializing in redecorating using what you already have. You can reach her by calling (650)367-7370 or by writing her at KitDavey@aol.com. Visit her website at www.AFreshLook.net.