A CHECKLIST FOR HOME STAGING

Home staging doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are a few inexpensive staging tips for every room in the house.

Outside –

Put a new floor mat at the entry and new mailbox and post, if aged. Then, add mulch to flower beds and shrubs.

Paint, stain or varnish front door and polish brass and install a new brass kick plate.

Foyer –

Make sure it is clean and not cluttered with furniture. Clean light fixtures and the floor until they sparkle.

Add a nice touch with a small entrance table with fresh cut flowers.

Family/Living/Great Room –

Put away all collections (figurines, fragile items, etc.) and store all political and religious mementos as well as any business, sports and personal awards.

Remove all crowded furniture; open the room up and show as much space as possible.

Dining Room –

Take the extra leaf out of the table and remove any excess chairs.

Set your table as if for a formal dinner. Your best dishes, cloth napkins, center piece, wine glasses. This will make them feel welcomed into your home, as if you just invited them to dinner.

Kitchen –

Remove all refrigerator magnets, notes, artwork, etc.

Stow all small appliances under the cabinets to accentuate the counter space.

Don’t hesitate to throw that roast for dinner in or bake a fresh batch of cookies. Smell is a powerful tool and food smells like a home!

Bathrooms –

Downplay dated ceramic tile color with white towels, window treatments and scatter rugs.

Replace rusted sinks or purchase the proper paint to touch up the porcelain bowl.

Repair or replace defective exhaust fans.

Bedrooms –

Remove bulky furniture and, voila, the room will appear larger.

Clean out closets to make them seem roomy and ready for even more.

Garage/Basement –

Remove stains from garage floor.

Clean all windows/cobwebs in corners.

Screened-In Porch –

Repair all screen holes or replace screens.

Make sure outdoor furniture is clean and orderly and not excessive.

Check Every Room For –

Burnt out light bulbs. Replace any blown bulbs to make the home brighter and defuse any questions of electrical issues.

Dust the baseboards, crown molding and chair railing.

Dust vent covers and change any filters.

De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter (yeah, I know you’ve heard that one before!)

Spot clean any stains on the carpets

Walk through each room to make sure there are no odors. Pet, sweat, mold and mildew are all smells that will turn off your buyers. Pungent spices can add a smell that will put off the buyers also.

Pipe in some relaxing tunes and show, show, show!