Rick, we have time during these winter months to get our house ready to list it with you ASAP. My "honey-do" list is long! What should I focus on?
Sorry about the list! It can all be kind of stressful, right? I will put you directly in contact with our
in-house stager, Kim, who can come back out and really itemize those things you need to conquer. She is awesome and we call her "The' House Whisperer!" But in a nutshell, BE REALISTIC. Plan and organize to do what is feasible given time frame, budget, scope of repairs. Fix what needs fixing and don't start something insurmountable.
Meanwhile here is a good list to work with meanwhile.
1. First impressions are the most important so focus on general repairs or replacing- walkway cracks, wood floor scratches, broken seals on windows...If cabinets and drawers need help, get new doors/fronts only and freshly paint. This is also where you really need to consider new, updated kitchen and maybe bathroom counter tops like granite slab. It's cheaper to fix now than to take a price reduction later.
2. De-clutter by removing everything by about half including furniture, books, nick-knacks, art/things on walls, all counter tops. Closets need to be thinned out or empty. Good storage helps sell houses. Store your things off-site, donate, sell, recycle, pass them on... just don't show it!
3. Cozy up your home by grouping your furniture into liveable pockets throughout the house. This creates more room to navigate the rooms and creates friendly, warm, intimate living hubs.
4. Think outside the box with both furniture and art. Use an old chest as a coffee table and use a coffee table as a low art table in a kids' room or playroom. Use a colorful art poster in a humdrum bathroom. Remember to break up a line-up of art & things hanging. This keeps your buyers' eyes moving around. Unconventional makes for a hip, eclectic and fresh take on your home.
5. Make every room count by giving it importance and a purpose. This adds value to your home. Create a comfortable reading spot on a funny corner of your bedroom or a yoga studio in the de-cluttered extra bedroom or a craft nook in that huge closet under the stairs.
6. Make the lighting right to make your rooms glow. Increase wattage in bulbs up in cans, sconces and chandeliers, in all lamps and even small accent lights so make every room as warm and welcoming as possible. Remove heavy, dramatic curtains or swags and show off nice blinds, shutters and natural light.
7. Fresh paint does wonders. Use warm, pretty neutral tones for large and main room spaces. Go with bolder colors on an accent wall, small room, inside built-in shelves & niches to add variety and POP! Add deep, rich color tones to make a wall dramatic, like in your master bedroom or study. Make a small room or annex bigger by painting it the same color as the adjacent room.
8. Bedrooms should be sexy! Well, especially the master suite.
Keep it serene, luxurious and soothing with softer colors in general and
maybe a dramatic wall.
9. Add "the fluff" (but not the clutter) but adding good-looking rolled up linens, soaps, baskets and candles in the bathrooms... Think "spa." Keep all counter and wall surfaces shiny. One tables and one shelves, keep decorative items at a minimum and place them in groups of 3 or other odd number for visible impact and group in themes of shape or texture or color.
10. Add fresh life with vases filled with curly twigs, fresh cuttings (hard to find right now in the yard!) or really high-end silk branches, springs or flowers. Keep proportionate to table and surroundings. A touch of nature says a lot about you as a seller and rounds out the look.
Good luck and we are sending help!!!
Rick Bennett
208-407-0532
Your Best Boise Area Real Estate Agent
ID-BUY Real Estate with Keller Boise Realty Boise
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