For Sale and Fashionable

In many ways, selling your home is just like getting dressed for an event. You want to be the most fantastic looking one in the room, sophisticated but not stuffy, fun but not too flamboyant. This is exactly how your home should show to prospective buyers. Home staging has become big business for good reason. This market is saturated with listings, yours MUST be the "most fantastic looking one in the room".

Here are some basics to help you make your home "For Sale and Fashionable"...

1. DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY!!! When your agent tells you to take down your family photos or various tchotchkes, they are not trying to attack your things or tell you that your family is unattractive. Buyers want to be able to picture themselves and their things in the home. It is harder for them to do this while staring at your memories.

2. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Make the outside of your home warm and inviting. Keep the lawn manicured, add flowers and a fresh coat of paint.

3. Admit that you have too much stuff. Declutter each room, clear off tables and straighten closets. Less really is MORE.

4. Mix it up! You would never wear the same outfit every single day, so why should your furniture be in the same spot year after year?! Move things around to give the room a fresh look.

5. Let the light shine. Open the blinds to give the room an airy feeling. Also, turn on the lights. Install dimmers to create ambiance as buyers move from room to room. Closed blinds and low lighting makes a room feel like a cave.

6. Always accessorize! Simple accessories are a great way to show off a space. Just remember the rule of three. Odd numbers are more eye-pleasing. Also, use varying heights and scale to add interest. For example, on an end table, you may have a lamp, a plant or flower and a small book or decorative box. Place the largest in the back and the smallest toward the front.

7. Go organic. Fresh flowers are stunning in every home. They are the perfect way to welcome guests. Keep a vase of fresh flowers on the counter or kitchen table. This lets buyers know you are happy they are there.

These simple steps can make all the difference in selling your home!!!
BTW...I should mention that I get all of my knowledge on staging from my Mother, professional decorator extraordinaire. She is FABULOUS!