Tips on how to get your House ready for Sale

This is the first in a series of write-ups about staging and getting your house ready for the market.

As a home buyer first and then a Real Estate agent, I have walked into many homes over the last 3 years, first, for myself and then to get to know the inventory in my town for clients. The one thing that never ceased to amaze me is the lack of awareness of homeowners about the presentability of their own homes. Even though I am relatively new in the real estate business, I feel my background as an Architect/Interior Designer has given me the sensitivity to recognize what, in a home can enhance buyer appeal. This is my 2 cents- take from this what sounds right to you and ignore what doesn’t.

Let me share some ideas with you regarding the ENTRYWAY.

A lot of homes have entryways that sell themselves and you are lucky if you have one of those. But if you have one that is not spacious, I recommend making it look bigger.

You do that by removing any shoeboxes, benches etc. you might have or coat stands/trees you may have placed there for practical use. Yes, they have practical use when you are living there but if you want to stage to sell, remove these and do without them for the time your house is on the market.

If you have a smaller entryway that is enclosed, get a handyman and get the door removed and frame touched up. Open up the entryway as much as you can. If you are not into Feng Shui, I would even recommend putting a large mirror in front. But don’t do it if you are a believer. Also, don’t put anything on the walls in that case. Any art on the wall will draw attention to it and will draw focus to the closeness of the space. I would even recommend no area rugs but if you have to put one, get something which will not stand out too much. No large prints or dark patterns.

A high ceiling will benefit from a hanging light fitting that has a rich look and bright, high wattage bulbs. Do it for the staging, even if you don’t otherwise care for it to be bright, or are energy conscious. Invest in your light fittings. They help sell your home by adding to the appeal.

A small entryway is best sold as a space which is not to be noticed or a space that does not draw attention to itself.

Keep it simple. Larger entryways can impress if they are staged to do so. I would always recommend NOT putting storage benches or hall trees. You know, the typical Pottery Barn ones? You may like them but not everyone will have the same taste. Not everyone likes a rustic décor so why restrict the marketability of your house? A simple console with tasteful art, or a mirror and a lamp, will set the stage for the rest of your house.

Remember, when you're staging your home, you should focus on showing how the spaces within are perfect for the things that the potential buyer may like to put in it - not on how you have filled it with the things that you own.

Next in the series POWDER ROOMS.