C Star Real Estate Blog

Selling your house can be and often times is a tiresome process. Often you may have people coming through the house when it is inconvenient. All the while trying to keep the house clean and dealing with the disruption in your life and schedule. If you ask anyone that has ever tried to sell a house it is likely they will agree the faster the sale the better!

By making your home more attractive to buyers this will help them picture themselves living in the home. And by staging your home you can help bring in a higher sales price and increase marketability.

Maybe you have just redecorated your house. That's not staging. Redecorating shows your personality. While, staging focuses on buyers views. The owner through staging will learn how to arrange art work, furniture, accessories, etc. in the best light. It also helps enhance the following functionality, flow, aesthetics, and balance in a room.

If you choose to pay someone to stage it would more than likely be expensive, so here are a few staging ideas to try on your own. Following these guidelines.

(Clutter) Remove clutter room by room. Organize toys in bins and boxes (label if need be). Cabinets and bookcases should be neatly kept with some decoration (acessories) spread throughout. Closets should be organized and clean with only clothes visible. Put seasonal clothes in storage. Pack up all clutter as well. Keep it in storage until moving day. It will make the transition easier.

(Lighting) Rooms should be well lit and all lights in working order (use higher watt bulbs, clean globes and shades).

(Painting) A crisp looking coat of paint helps to make a first impression and by using a neutral color palate it enables buyers to see themselves and their personal items in the home. Remember a neutral color does not have to mean colorless. Grays, browns, beige's, varying shades of white and off white make good neutrals. Interest can be added with color in drapery, accessories, pillows, throw rugs, candles, etc..

(Kitchens) Should be very clean. Remove all the "stuff" off of the front of the fridge. Keep counters clean and clear of all items. Clean and organize under the sinks, in the pantry and inside cabinets. Paint cabinetry if needed. Put on new knobs, pulls and hinges for a updated look.

(Bathrooms) Think stain free and no discolorations. Make sure counters are clean. Any shower curtains, drapery, towels, wash clothes, soap dishes, etc. need to be clean. Place nice looking soaps in soap trays.


(Furnishings) Should be cozy, but not crowded in the room. Leave space between furniture and remove what nots or knick knacks. Place your best looking piece of furniture on the wall you see first as you come into the room. Put away any CD's, DVD's and videos so that they cannot be seen. Group pictures on walls and hang at eye level. Place accessories out in groups of odd numbers. Clear the mantle off on the fireplace and place something simple and eye catching out like a floral arrangement, candle arrangement or clock for aesthetics.

(Curb) Make the first impression from the curb. "Curb Appeal" selling your home from the outside. Garages or yards should be clean and well trimmed. (Don't leave stuff lying around the yard.) Plant some shrubs or flowers to enhance the appeal and help welcome buyers (you might try lining the side walks to the front door). Trim any bushes that need it. Keep the yard mowed and watered to help give a cared for look. Paint exterior and trim outside if you need to help give that maintained look too. Make sure any pools or fish ponds are clean and cared for.



Up Coming Events for Stillwater:


(Stillwater on Ice) - The ice rink is open! November 12 through January 3rd and is located on 9th at the corner of Husband and 9th. Holiday hours and weather closings will be posted on facebook, www.facebook.com/stillwateronice . Normal hours of operation are 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m. on Friday, 12-11 p.m. Saturday and 12-10 p.m. Sunday. The costs is $8 for 11 and up, $7 for OSU students must have valid student ID, $6 for children 6-10 and little kids 5 and under skate free, but have to be accompanied by an adult. They have gift certificates, season passes and group rates available. You can get a commemorative t-shirt! Skaters must sign a waiver before entering the rink. The form can be downloaded from the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce website. You can bring the completed form with you to save a little time!

(The Tony Rice Unit) - Feb 5th, 2011 at 7:30 pm. Is a range of acoustic music, from bluegrass to jazz from songwriter to oriented folk. City of Stillwater Community Center on Feb 5, 2011 at 7:30 pm.

Mary Kelly

405-762-6719 Cell

405-533-3800 office

http://marysworldofrealestate.blogspot.com/

C Star Real Estate