Ultimate Home Staging Checklist
Ultimate Home Staging Checklist
Staging a home to sell is a conscious effort to prepare your home a step above the competing listings on the market. You want a potential buyer to walk into your home and feel like they have to have it! Staging is not easy to do but with some effort the results could truly pay off. Here’s a checklist on how to impress from curb to closet:
* Cut and water the lawn, and trim and prune all trees and shrubs
* Remove pet waste, leaves, and weeds from the yard along with tools, toys and other visible items
* Clean all exterior doors and windows on house and garage
* Paint the exterior trim and stain the deck and fence
* Stage an outdoor sitting area with flowerpots, pillows, outdoor carpets, and fire pit or fountain
* Install outdoor solar lighting along all driveways and walkways in front and back yard
* Replace your mailbox, house numbers and paint your front door for a quick curb appeal facelift
* Paint the interior – including walls, doors, ceilings, closets and trim – in a neutral beige or grey
* Remove all shoes, jackets, keys, mail, umbrellas and bags from entrances
* Lubricate doors, furniture and windows to eliminate squeaks
* Remove ALL but the essential items from countertops in the kitchen
and bathrooms
* Clean INSIDE and ON TOP of all appliances including refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and oven
* Dust entire home including ceiling fans, light fixtures, air vents, lampshades, TV’s and electronics
* Clean door frames, doors, windows and window sills, walls, light switches, trim and baseboards
* Place a large bowl full of one fruit such as lemons or apples on the kitchen countertop or table
* Change cat litter and keep it out of sight along with pet food bowls, pet beds and pet toys
* Use fresh plants and flowers to compliment a focal point of the home
* Use an odor neutralizer with a fresh scent even if you don’t think you need one
* Replace all light bulbs with maximum watts and have all lights on and all blinds and draperies open
* Depersonalize the space by removing family photos, trophies, mementos and magnets on the fridge
* Coordinate décor accessories, pillows, and artwork with no more than two accent colors per room
* Float furniture away from walls, into conversational groups, and place so the traffic flow is obvious
* Arrange décor accessories in groups of three – a small, medium and a large item clustered together
* Vary the pattern and grouping of wall hangings and have one or two large focal pieces in living area
* Pack unnecessary items and furniture – at least 1/3 of your home and store them OFF the property
* Don’t neglect storage areas – place items in plastic containers and neatly stack on shelving
* Leave commercial-free easy listening music playing at a low but audible volume on in the house
