Staging your home, so that its’ appeal to potential buyers is increased, is largely a matter of removing your own influence from the property, making it appear more spacious and ensuring that everything is in good condition. All parts of the home, inside and out, should be considered. The intention is to help buyers imagine themselves living in the house.

A great deal of this can be accomplished just by tidying up the clutter and mess that seems to accumulate in every home. As you will be moving anyway, you can get a head start on the packing by putting everything you won’t need immediately away into boxes. These can be stored in an attic or garage, at a friend’s house, or in a rented storage facility. This will take away the personal touches that make it feel like home to you, but which can be distracting for buyers, particularly if they do not share your tastes. It will also make the house look bigger, particularly if you clear out and tidy your closets and other storage areas, to make them appear more spacious. Keep surfaces as empty as possible, for example by putting any appliances in the kitchen away into the cupboards. An emptier room will look bigger. (more…)

When your home is on the market, it is not unusual to consider making some upgrades to snag a better price as well as sell your home faster. Contrary to popular opinion; however, not every home upgrade is worth making, at least in terms of recouping the money when your home actually sells. There is no doubt that some improvements can be a smart move, but it’s also important to make sure you don’t go too far because spending too much money on remodeling usually limits your opportunity to get that money back, particularly if you happen to be trying to sell in a buyer’s market.

Which upgrades are worth making and which ones should you steer clear of? When it comes to the upgrades that you will get the most out of terms of recouping your investment, the kitchen and the bathroom are your two best bets. There are a few upgrades that definitely are not worth your money or your time. (more…)