Sell Your Home Faster: Quick Tips On Staging

Did you know the sale of a home is usually made within the first few minutes of the showing? It starts as a homebuyer drives up to the property, and it continues the first few seconds into the entryway. Either a person connects with the home, or they continue on looking for their idea of the 'perfect' home.

Because first impressions are so important, homeowners are increasingly staging their homes to create a perfect buying atmosphere.

Staging is the process of making a home look its absolute best. Small, inexpensive improvements can completely change the way your home shows, and give it more buyer appeal. Keep in mind that staging can work on both an occupied and a vacant home. The goal is simply to create the best visual experience possible.

Start your staging process by looking at your home from two vantage points: the exterior and the interior.

The Exterior of Your Home

* View your home from curbside; does the exterior invite you in?
* Mow the lawn, trim bushes and trees, and clean up flowerbeds and rock gardens. If the weather is warm, plant a few flowers to add color to the yard. Also consider placing a few pots on patios and porches to make the home more inviting.
* Repaint your home and trim if necessary. Verify shutters and other trim are in good shape. Replace or repair broken molding, screens, gutters and windows.
* Repair cracks in stairs, driveways and sidewalks, and make sure the foundation is in good shape.
* Install outdoor lighting to illuminate walkways, entrances and garden areas.

The Interior of Your Home

* Create a warm and inviting entryway.
* Ask a friend to take care of your pets, or consider doggie day care during the selling process. Pets may get nervous around a stranger in their home, and not all people enjoy having a pet barking or following them around the home.
* Use paint to warm up your home. Touch up scuff marks and chipped or faded areas.
* Eliminate clutter. Pack up piles of books, knickknacks and other decorations. Show off your space, not the stuff.
* Clean out closets, and only keep the absolute necessities.
* Consider renting a storage unit for boxes, extra furniture, and other surplus items. Because you are packing to move anyway, moving these items to storage will help keep you organized, and make your house appear larger and roomier.
* Keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean at all times. Pack up the extra appliances on the counter, and keep only the minimum in cabinets and drawers.

While there is a lot the homeowner can do to prepare for the sale of their home, you may also wish to invest in a staging consultant. Your realtor can make recommendations for a good stager in your area. According to the National Board of Realtors, staged homes sell 50 percent faster than homes that aren't staged, and can bring in a return of up to 4 dollars for every dollar spent on staging.

As a realtor in the South Metro Denver real estate market, I see a variety of homes every year. The homeowners that spend a little extra time staging their home typically sell much quicker than those that don't. Think of staging as your insurance policy for the quick sale. Spend the time on it now, and enjoy settling into your new home without the worries of selling your old home.

Lyn Drake is a certified and professional Broker associate for RE/MAX Masters, located in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Lyn Drake has been awarded with the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and the Platinum Club. Visit her website at http://www.lyndrake.com