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By: Trez Robinson, owner of Staged 2 Sell
When it’s time to put your home on the market for sale, it is helpful to think about it as a product, just like any product on the shelves at a local grocery store. Just like any other product, it has features a
and benefits, and competition.
To gain an edge in a competitive market, you must win both the beauty contest and the price war!
Download our full Homeowner Staging Checklist
The first impression when a buyer drives up to your home is crucial and lasting! Walk across the street and look at it through the eyes of a buyer. Be tough on yourself. What do you see?
TRIM & HOUSE PAINT
- Take a hard look at the front door and trim. Give special attention to this because this is where buyers will get their first opportunity to make an inspection of your home. Does it need repainting or staining? How about the shutters? Repainting the doors and trim to help make the house look crisp and in good condition is one of the least expensive things you can do to dress up a home.
DECKS & PORCHES & PATIOS
- Sweep all decks, walks, porches, and patios and keep them swept.
- Remove any moss from decks, walks, and patios.
- Decks should be pressure-washed, stained or painted if they are in need of it.
- Reduce clutter on decks, porches, and patios so that they look bigger. Get rid of old flowerpots. BBQs, charcoal, planters, toys, construction materials, and excess furniture.
- If you have outdoor furniture create one simple ‘room setting’ or clean furniture that will remind buyers of the usefulness of the space.
ROOF
- Clean all debris and moss from the roof and gutters.
FENCES
- Repair broken fences and paint if necessary.
LANDSCAPING
- Plants are like children…they grow up so fast! First they are little and cute, and then they seem just right, and all of a sudden they’re so big we hardly know how to take care of them! You can’t trim the kids, but you can trim your plants. If they need it, do it now.
- Rake and weed flowerbeds. If possible, spread new mulch such as beauty bark, pine needles, gravel, or lava rock to put a finishing touch on the landscaping.
- Remove and if needed, replace all dead plants.
- Mow lawn and keep it mowed on a weekly basis during the growing season.
- Trim branches around the roofline to prevent animals, insects, and foliage from getting on the roof.
FRONT YARD
- ‘Curb Appeal’ is very important! Has you landscaping overgrown the house? Remember…”You can’t sell it, if you can’t see it!” Cut back all shrubs to window height that block light or view from windows.
- Move all children’s toys to the backyard; basketball hoops, and trash cans.
- Clean and sweep paved driveways, clear drains/gutters, rake, weed or re-gravel gravel driveways; add fresh mulch to the beds.
BACK YARD
- Remove any extra items from the yard, such as tools, piles of lumber, auto parts, etc.
- Children’s toys should all go in one area in the back yard.