How I Work
First we decide who is going to do the work
You
If you, the homeowner intend to do the majority of the preparation of your home, then I can simply go through room by room, inside and outside and prepare you detailed instructions, based upon proven guidelines, on what you should do. We'll discuss things like painting, floor coverings, furniture arrangement, clutter - what ever applies! I can help you arrange for painters, cleaners, handymen, rental furniture if you need it. I will go back to my office, prepare a detailed report for both you and your realtor, deliver it back to you at a pre-determined time and walk through the instructions with you to make certain they are clear.
Me
If you know that it needs to be done, but don't have the time or desire to deal with it yourself, I can come in for a quoted price and do what needs to be done. I will work within guidelines that we set up together, but the bottom line is it will be done - and YOU didn't have to do it!
Both
If you want to do "some things", and you want me to do "some things" we can work this out too. My desire is to be flexible and make this process as stress free as possible.
Next, we make a plan
We make a plan based on the time and budget available and then we work back from there. I encourage homeowners to be realistic about what they can do themselves and to call in professionals when it makes sense. I have a list of: painters, builders, handymen, counter and tile specialists, yard and landscaping professionals, cleaning and moving people. I can offer you my discounts for paint, carpet etc.
After your house is staged...
Your house looks beautiful and you are now ready to go on the market, but the key is keeping it staged.
The way you live in your home and the way you live in your home when you are selling it are two different things. It is very important that you keep your home in the same condition it was in when your stager left!
- Make all beds everyday
- Keep all toilet seats down
- Make sure towels are hung properly
- Make sure all crumbs are cleaned from counter tops after meals
- Turn all lights on when showing
- Don't leave dirty clothes on the floor and put all your belongings away
- Keep all counter top items put away
- Keep trash removed
- Shades up
- Yard mowed or shovel the driveway
- Hold off cooking food with strong odors until after the sale
I know that it seems like a lot of trouble, but you only have one time to make that first impression on a potential buyer, and if you don't take the time to do it right it could cost you a sale. Life will return to normal after the house is sold - I hope!
Budget
I understand about budget concerns, but I want you to realize that staging your home is an investment, not an expense. Would it be worth the effort to sell the house fast and for asking or above? Statistics show that staging does the trick. You need to set your house apart from the competition. Would you sell your car without cleaning it out?
