No matter how old your home is, it can look like a model home in many ways and yes it really does matter!
What I advise my client’s of when I am doing a detailed walk through Home Staging Consultation with them is, “make your home feel like a model home.” That doesn’t mean it is new construction and flawless but what it does mean is that there is a reason so many people love model homes. They love model homes because it feels like ‘their’ home the minute they walk in the door.
It feels like their home because of the things they don’t see and they don’t need to see them in your home either, even if the home was built 100 years ago.
- Entryway – put away your hats, gloves, key trays and all other things that you like to dump at the front door. If you have hooks in site take all the items off the hooks. This goes the same for mudrooms off the garage door entrance. Don’t have all the kids items piled high and shoe racks filled with shoes. This is a no no……
- Kitchen – tuck all those ‘under the cabinet’ items under the cabinet. Dish soap, dish drainers, hand towels. Don’t leave towels hanging on the front of the sink or the stove. Show off what the buyer is actually buying which are your appliances, not the decorative towel hanging on it. The counter tops should not be filled with items you use every day. Let the buyer see how much counter space you have. Again, these types of items get put away…….
- Laundry Room – laundry rooms are kind of a big deal right now. They are no longer just the place you do laundry hidden off in the basement of the house. People want light bright laundry rooms and cleanliness is key. Clean out the laundry sink (buy a new one if needed), put away all the messy soaps, paint cans, and for sure the dirty laundry. You don’t see dirty laundry in a model home and a buyer doesn’t want to see it in your home. Yes I know you live there but really your home is a pretend home while it is for sale. 🙂 You may need to grab that laundry basket and stick it in your car on the way out before a showing. This is an example of a nice, neat and tidy laundry room ready for to be listed…
- Bathrooms – This is where you need to have a critical eye to tuck away all those ‘real world’ items. Have your shower completely empty and I mean completely. No shampoo, no bars of soap, no shower caddies, nothing. Empty, clean and sparkly just like a model home. No one wants to see people’s personal hygiene items. On the vanity tops…..put away tooth brushes, curling irons, razors, drink cups and makeup. One small decorative item on the vanity is all there should be. Here are some examples:
When selling your home have a critical eye and one way to do that is by asking yourself “Would I see this in a model home?” If the answer is no then put it away for a showing of your home as well as for professional photos. If it has been a while since you have visited a model home then I recommend you do so. Don’t be aware so much of what you see but of what you don’t see.
A professional Home Stager can give you the personal recommendations needed to get your home in top selling condition. Call to set an appointment so you know what is needed in every room of your home.
