Staging your house inside When preparing a home for sale, try viewing it with the eyes of a potential buyer. Compare your house to showcase homes and see what can be done to improve its appearance. Address maintenance issues and repairs that have not been completed yet. Walk through the whole house and see what could be done to neutralize colors, and make the house show its best side. Here are some things to look for when preparing your home for a viewing:

• Clean the house thoroughly. A spotless appearance shows the buyer that your house is well maintained and less likely to have problems. Nothing is more distracting then a less perfect condition. If time is an issue consider hiring professional help.
  
• Vacuum the carpets, consider steam cleaning or replacing worn carpet with neutral colored carpet. Avoid dark shades of blue, green, or burgundy. Dark carpets let rooms look small
  
• Put away all dishes, empty countertops and store small appliances away. Remove all magnets and notes from the refrigerator. Items on countertops indicate a lack of storage space and can be a red flag to potential buyers.
  
• Make all beds, dirty clothes should be washed or stored in a hamper. Remove about half of your clothing from the closet. Consider packing the out of season clothing and put them in storage. A full closet indicates a lack of closet space.
  
• Put all your personal hygiene items away and consider decorating the bathrooms with some potpourri and some decorative towels. The shower and bathtub should show their spotless best. Repair grout and caulking.
  
• Secure jewelry, prescription medicine, and other valuables.
  
• Remove valuable collectibles from sight. The buyers should look at the house not be distracted by your collectibles. Also you may want to remove your family photos to neutralize the house. The buyers should be able imagine themselves in your house.
  
• Consider removing some furniture to create a spacious look. Less is often more, especially in small spaces. See what are the assets of a room and play them off. If your house has a pretty view don't hide it behind shades or curtains. 

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Copyright 2005 - Malte Strauss -  office phone 800-771-0031 extension 298  -  direct line 407-416-9659 - fax 407-650-2769 
All information believed to be correct but not guaranteed. Usage of information at your own risk. Southern Realty Enterprises, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated.