S.T.A.G.E Your Home to Sell

Congratulations! You've made a decision to move. Perhaps you've accepted a new job in a different area or maybe your old home is simply too small for your needs. Before you contact a realtor or put a "For Sale" sign in the yard, there are a few things that you need to do.

Stow away as much as you can. The goal is to make your rooms look as big as possible. If your furniture is too big for your rooms or if you simply have too much furniture in your rooms then remove as much as possible. Even if you need to rent a storage shed while your house is on the market, it's well worth the investment. Declutter your home as much as possible. Clean out closets, cabinets and cubbyholes. Buyers will look and the more empty space there is, the better they can picture their belongings in your home.

Take a look at your carpet and walls. Make any repairs or updates necessary. SURE, you've lived with the green shag carpet in the hallway for the past 15 years, but potential buyers will not be able to see past it. You don't need to put in the most expensive plush carpet that you can find, simply replace it with a nice looking neutral colored carpet. Make sure that walls are freshly painted, clean and free of holes.

Aromas make a home feel... homey. Research has shown that the smell of apples and cinnamon make people feel warm and fuzzy. If buyers walk into your home and smell baking bread, apple pie or vanilla, their minds immediately switch to memories of good times like Christmas and Easter when they were kids. Make sure that your home smells good. You can buy candles, potpourri, plug-in air fresheners, whatever you can find that makes your home smell good. However, make sure that the smell of your home is not too perfumey or overwhelming. I remember looking at one home where they had a different scent in each room - it was distracting and quite honestly, I wondered what they were trying to hide! One subtle scent throughout the home will make the best impression.