Pick-up recent home decorating magazines. If your not up to speed on current
decorating trends it will help familiarize yourself with how interior design is being marketed. Tab pages with low-cost
ideas that which will make your home say today.
Invite a friend or real estate agent over. A second or third pair of eyes
will help you accent the best and edit the worst in your home. Be prepared for some constructive
criticism. A good agent will not hold back on telling you exactly what he or she sees. The object is to help
you by using a set(s) of experienced eyes. You want to hear it before you put your home on market, not as feedback from
prospective buyers. Go room-by-room with a worksheet so you can take notes. Depending on how much time you have available
for an update or a makeover, you will need to prioritize and figure out what will give you the biggest return. Do this
at least two months before you put your house on market.
Stage a home office if you don't have one. They're not a trend; they're
required for homebuyers in 2006. Many homebuyers today work from home part or full-time or want a space where they can
organize their life and park a computer. Find an extra bedroom, walk-in closet or an unused corner and convert into
a home office. Make sure there is a convenient electric, telephone and cable supply.
Focus on living spaces. These areas are where the majority of homebuyers
will spend their time. Place a side table and a floor lamp next to a comfortable chair as a reading corner. Float sofas
and coffee tables away from walls for a designer look. Use area rugs to anchor furniture groupings on bare tile and
wood floors. Living spaces must have matching table lamps. Streamline family photos and place green plants in room.
Fireplaces should always be operable and on in season. Place groupings of candles and clear glass bowls filled with
natural potpourri on side and coffee tables. Substantial wicker baskets can organize magazines, remote controls and
toys. Limit knick-knacks to make room for staging materials.
Give attention to Kitchens. Put away in a handy drawer all dish towels and
rags. Reduce recipe boxes, barrels of cooking utensils, excess-cooking machines, and cookbooks by two-thirds to open
up counter spaces. For a quick update put new hardware on cabinets. Find an out-of-the-way place for a portable dishwasher.
Clean off everything on the refrigerator door. Omit throw rugs scattered around the kitchen. Clean off windowsills to
open up exterior views. Organize cabinets with clear containers. If you can't see the back wall of a cabinet, buyers
will think you don't have enough storage space. Ditto closets. Budget to keep a variety of fresh fruit in a glass bowl
on the counter. Edit family bulletin boards. Remove old curtains and install new wood blinds on windows.
Spend time on sleeping and bathing spaces. Often over looked in the frenzy
to get a home on market, these spaces can make or break a home. Buy a set that consists of a matching bed skirt, bed
spread, pillow covers and blinds to match. Buy a new shower curtain and separate liner. Wash the liner often if mold
develops. Add complete sets of towels that coordinate with your new shower curtain. Clear all cosmetics off vanity.
If you have an over-the-toilet cabinet consider removing and place a piece of artwork in its place. Remember to keep
items in the "too much information" category, out of view. If you have a king-size bed in a small room, you'll pay to
have buyers over come this negative, so get rid of it now. Clear off dresser and nightstands of excess. Make sure the
bedroom receives the maximum natural light. Install closet organizers in closets. Eliminate wall and door hooks for
clothes. People might look under your bed, no surprises please.
Remember first impressions in entries. A simple consol table with mirror
over makes a nice entranceway. Make sure this space is well lit day or night. Place adhesive under rugs so buyers don't
trip or slide.
