1. Less is more – remove enough so that there is some empty space in closets, on shelves, and in cabinets.
2. Remove or hide all small kitchen appliances and clutter on the countertops.
3. Remove all refrigerator art, pictures, magnets, calendars, etc.
4. Pack up all personal photos, people need to be able to themselves in your home.
5. Remove personal necessity items from bathroom and enclosed showers… shampoo, toothpaste, hairbrushes, dirty towels, etc. Put them in a basket that is easy to hide.
6. Remove and store seasonal clothes from closets, this is a good time to donate any of your old clothes and shoes to good will.
7. Rent a storage space if possible. Remove all visible storage boxes from closets, basement and garage.
8. Remove some furniture to open up the rooms. A good rule of thumb, consider eliminating half of all furniture and accessories.
9. Remove dated or worn furnishings and accessories. Display only updated new looking items, new couch and chairs covers may come in handy, even a decorative pillow.
10. Remember the rule, “One will do”. When accessorizing surfaces, remember that for staging purposes one item is better than two or more. One vase or clock on a fireplace mantle shows off your home better that two or three items.
11. Use mirrors generously. A mirror at the end of a long hallway makes the home look larger and relieves any cramped feeling. A mirror opposite the bathroom vanity pushes walls back and makes small bathrooms larger.
12. Paint the interior of the house and the front door. A fresh coat of paint makes a room look new.
13. Repair, paint, or wash all exterior walls, doors, and trim.
14. Power-wash exterior concrete and other outdoor areas. Remember this will be the first thing buyers will see.
15. Replace worn, stained carpeting and cracked floor tiles. Be sure that any remaining carpet, drapery or upholstery holds absolutely no odors.
16. Wash the windows, inside and out. Remove unnecessary screening.
17. Arrange a minimum number of towels in bathroom racks and put out fresh soap.
18. Inside, use fresh flowers in vases. Decorate outside with planters and potted plants.
19. Decorate the patio or deck with flowerpots and enough furniture to show that it is usable living space.
20. Furnish covered porches with small outdoor tables and chairs to turn them into obvious living spaces.
21. Make sure the landscaping is well kept and the grass is maintained. T
22. Air the home by opening windows and doors and try not to cook before showing. No one wants to smell what you ate for lunch or last night for dinner.
23. No drips! Repair all plumbing, faucets, running toilets. You will have to repair these items after a home inspection, if you can fix them first you are better off.
24. Clean or repair/replace worn caulking around tubs, sinks, counter tops.
25. Deep-clean entire house, oven, fireplace, garage, etc.
26. Enhance fireplace firebox with candles or decorative logs.

I know the list is long here and as a seller you may not get around to everything, but this gives you a good starting point of what buyers are going to expect to see when they are looking for a new home. Although your home is not new for you, take into concideration that this will be a new home for the buyer. If the work is too much for you to do yourself, or you just can’t figure out where to start, I can refer you to a great home stager who will meet with you and give you suggestions on staging your home.

If you are looking to sell your home in the Northern Illinois Suburbs or you have any questions about staging your home contact me, Marina Jacobson at 847-510-5009 or email me at Marina@marinajacobsonhomes.com. I am a professional Real Estate Agent working out of Koenig and Strey in Glenview and I can help you get your home SOLD. For more real estate information visit my website www.MarinaJacobsonHomes.com.

New Short Sale Guidance

To make it more attractive for the services to accept a sale on defaulted properties for less than the outstanding mortgage balance, the US  Treasury is offering incentive payments of $1,000 per completed short sale. Services will also receive $1,000 for each deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.  Read More…

If you owe more than your house is worth and can’t afford your payments, you might be able   to

sell  it for less than you owe — without having to pay the lender the difference.

Click Here for More Information

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