“The way you live in your home and the way you sell your house are two different things.” Barb Schwarz, author “Home Staging”

Most sellers think of their homes as a place full of memories… they’ve personalized their living space to fit their lifestyle. Buyers, on the other hand, are looking for a house that they can move right into… they’ll personalize it later on.

Let go and move on. Let go of your home and begin to think of your house – a product that will attract buyers and sell because it’s priced right and looks better than the competition.

Five Simple Steps to sell your home faster… at the best possible price. Here’s what you can do.

1. Pack Up Early ~ Most people pack after their home has sold… but why not get a head start now? You’re going to have to pack anyway. Rent storage space or set aside a place in the garage. You’ll be moving soon, so this is your chance to box and label your belongings to make your move to your new home a lot easier.

2. Clean Everything ~ Clean floors, baseboards, ceiling fans, kitchens, exhausts, appliances, cupboards, bathrooms, tubs, showers. Clean the windows. Clean every exposed surface in the house. Clean inside and outside. Eliminate all odors. Clean houses are more appealing… buyers assume that clean houses are well cared for.

3. Eliminate Clutter ~ Getting rid of clutter is just as important as cleaning… in fact, they go together. You’ll have to move your clutter anyway in order to clean your exposed surfaces. Why not move them only once? If you haven’t used an item in the last month, pitch it… or pack it away. Remember, you are selling space, not your things.

4. Remove Excess Furniture ~ Less is more when it comes to furniture. Keep the basics and get rid of the extras. Then rearrange the remaining furniture to create more space. Try different room arrangements until the room looks spacious and open to you. Less furniture means more space… that’s what buyers are looking for.

5. Paint It ~ A simple, coordinated, neutral, color scheme will make your house look larger… brighter… more appealing to buyers. Why? Because buyers can move right in without having to do anything. You may be able to clean, patch and touch up your walls if you already have a neutral color scheme. However, consider re-painting rooms with bright colors and bold patterns… buyers consider these rooms as more work for them.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on how to sell your house for more money, call me at 843-902-0204. BARBARA CHARTIER, Century 21 Coastal Lifestyles

Resource: “Home Staging” by Barb Schwarz.