How to Live in a Staged Home
Keeping your home in showcase condition is a challenge but having a strategic action plan in place will simplify the showing process and make the rest of your life less stressful as well! I know this first hand because I just put my own house on the market (which sold in only 6 days)! Usually you will get at least a 2 hour notice; but simply follow the 4 D’s below and you can always say yes to those last minute showings that may land you the contract! Besides getting your house sold faster and for more money; learning and implementing these strategies can help develop life long habits that will enhance your life long after the sale of your home!
#1 De-Clutter
Be brutal with yourself: If you haven’t used it in a year- give it away, sell it or toss it.
Benefits of De-cluttering:
- Makes the final move much easier
- Opens up space to stash things at the last minute
- Creates less distractions for potential buyers
- Creates a feeing of peace and harmony
- Makes your house look bigger
- Makes it easier to keep the house tidy and clean
#2 Deep Clean
Just as you would detail a car before selling; your house needs to be pristine also. Scrub everything from the light fixtures down to the baseboards. A deep cleaned home tells your potential buyers that this house has been well maintained and is move in ready.
#3 Devise a quick pick up plan
Have a time goal: 15 minutes should be enough! If everything is basically organized and clean- all you will have to do are those last minute touch ups.
Here’s how it works at our house-
- Emma- sprays and polishes all the bathroom counters mirrors and door glass
- Jack- empties all the trash receptacles and vacuums the traffic areas
- Amy- picks up stray glasses and tidies up the kitchen
- Mom or Dad Hides paperwork, current projects and anything else in a plastic under bed storage bin.
#4 Develop New Habits
A place for everything and everything in it's place. If you open it – close it. If you get it out – put it away…Immediately! Give permission for other members of the family to remind you. Old habits are hard for everyone to change so a little humility will go a long way towards that end.
- Leave your house ready to show every night before you go to bed. This takes the stress out of your morning routine.
- Remind yourself daily that yes, selling a home is a lot of work, but it is always worth the time and effort to do it properly! Take pride in your efforts- it will pay off!
How to Pre-Pack:
- Start with high impact rooms- the ones seen first and used most. Next are secondary bedrooms, closets, cabinets, basement, garage and storage room in that order
- Pack seasonal clothes to show storage space in closets
- Pack personal pictures, trophies, memorabilia and all non essentials so buyers don’t feel they are invading your personal space
- Use up, pare down and consolidate cosmetics, cleaning supplies, food stuffs and personal effects (most people actually use only 10% of what is in their cabinets)
Get started as soon as possible- even if you are just toying with the possibility of putting your house on the market….Go ahead and get it done…You’ll be glad you did!
Lisa Sachleben
Design Refined
www.designrefined.com
303-929-0501
© 2001 – 2012 Lisa Sachleben, Design Refined
