Are you aware that a potential buyer typically knows within 15 seconds if he or she is interested in a home?  Did you know that recent studies show that over 90% of potential buyers begin their home search on the internet?  

Presentation is everything!  Staging is simply emphasizing your home’s best features so that it will stand out from the competition and allows buyers to connect emotionally and visualize themselves living there.  For those of you that are considering putting your home on the market in the near future, here are some things to get you started:

1.  Consider Curb Appeal – Potential buyers need to fall in love with your home from the street.  Power wash walkways and roofs, trim bushes, remove weeds, plant flowers, replace dated or rusted light fixtures . . . make a good first impression.
2. Clean, Clean, Clean – I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a clean, fresh smelling home.  Don’t forget rugs, closets, cabinets and garages.  Buyers are buying the entire home, so they will look there.
3. De-Clutter – Get rid of absolutely everything that is not necessary and anything that prevents a buyer from seeing your homes’ beautiful features or how the space is really meant to be used.
4. De-Personalize – As much as you love your family photos, awards and religious artifacts, buyers will have a difficult time visualizing themselves living in the home.  Pack them away now and get a jump on what you will have to do anyway when your home sells.
5. Address Repairs – Regardless of whether a needed repair is large or small, it should be addressed before showing your home.  When a buyer sees areas that are in disrepair, he or she assumes that the areas that cannot be seen are in disrepair as well.
6. Neutralize Wall Colors – A fresh coat of paint will bring you the biggest bang for your buck and quickly refreshes a dull or dated room.  Keep with beige, taupe or gray for the living areas.  Neutral shades of blue or green are good choices for bathrooms.
7. Edit Furnishings – Remove or replace worn or outdated furnishings and get rid of any pieces that prohibit the free flow of traffic or make a space feel too crowded or small.
8. Bring In Light – Open up blinds and draperies, or consider removing those that are too heavy.  Make sure that there is sufficient natural light; it’s the best way to brighten up a mood.
9. Define Every Room – Most buyers are unable to visualize what an empty room will look like when furnished, and without a frame of reference, often don’t know if their furniture will fit.
10. Sweat The Small Stuff – This is the ideal time to consider replacing worn towels, bedding and shower curtains, dingy outlet covers, and outdated cabinet hardware, lighting and plumbing fixtures.  These improvements will help create an updated, warm, well-cared for home.

A professional home stager is a decorating expert that can guide you through the process of getting your home “showing ready” and take care of details that you may not have the time or knowledge to do.  Staging will help sell your home quicker and for money, and it generally costs far less than the amount of the first price reduction.

Donna Mancini is the Owner of Donna Mancini Staging & Redesign Inc., a company that promises to help clients “Create a Lasting Impression” in the Greater Jacksonville area.

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