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Washington DC Real Estate Resource Center: Home Staging Ideas

Essential - and Quick! - Staging Ideas for Selling Your Washington, DC Home

When putting your home on the market, the objective is to sell it quick and for top dollar, right? To do so, together you and your real estate agent must see your house from the buyer's viewpoint and portray it at its very best. Selling your home means you must do nothing less than dress (your house) to impress.

When sprucing up your house for buyer walk-throughs, follow these simple staging tips that can make a world of difference at a minimal expense.

• Declutter, declutter, declutter! Optimize and showcase the space and functionality your home offers by packing away any knick-knacks, personal items, and dust-collectors that simply don't need to be on view. Organize, neaten, and simplify everything in your home, from the appliances on your kitchen counter to the sweaters in your closet - because, believe it or not, buyers will open every door and look in every drawer.
• A new coat of paint breathes fresh air into any space. You don't necessarily have to paint the entire house, but rather focus on one or two key rooms, such as the living room, master bedroom, or kitchen. Opt for subtle, soothing colors like soft beige or pale green, instead of bold, loud colors. Remember, you want the buyer to be able to picture their items within your house's walls. Any rooms you don't paint should have clean, spotless walls and repair any cracks, blemishes, or spots on the walls or doors.
• Rethink your furniture positioning. Arrange your furniture to allow rooms to flow, and make sure your furniture does not block any walking paths or major selling points, such as large windows or fireplaces. Instead of blocking such features, position your furniture to accent them. Have a large bay window looking out to your backyard? Great! Turn a chair or sofa towards the window to draw the buyers' eye to that beautiful view.
• Small details make a big difference. Tie a room together by adding complementary accent rugs or a few colorful throw pillows. Purchase inexpensive comforter sets and pillows to give your bedrooms a unified, tasteful look that appeals to both sexes. If the hardware in the kitchen and bathrooms are outdated, replace them.
• Houses offer outdoor living space, not just indoor living space. Take a look at your landscaping and make sure it's up to par as well. If you find any dead spots, scatter some fast-growing grass seeds, and make sure you remove any dead plants or flowers. Trim your shrubbery and trees and throw it all together with a new layer of mulch. Curb appeal speaks volumes!
• If you have pets, make absolutely certain to get rid of old carpet with unpleasant odors.
• It's said that cleanliness is next to godliness…well, cleanliness also sells a house. Clean EVERYTHING in your house and keep it clean in between showings. Focus on your kitchen and bathrooms, and make sure they sparkle. Grimy bathrooms are a major red flag to buyers. Carpets should be cleaned and furniture - including any ceiling fans - should be dusted. Clean off any spider webs or residue around the outside of the house.
• Finally, let the light shine in and show off your clean, organized house. Open up your window shades and curtains and welcome in the sunshine.

When selling your Washington, DC home, count on Michelle Buckman, an expert licensed realtor in Washington, DC and Maryland. Michelle represents W.C. & A.N. Miller and Christie's Great Estates properties in Chevy Chase, Northwest Washington, DC, Capitol Hill and the up and coming Trinidad DC neighborhood. Specializing in the sale and resale of single family home and estates, condos, co-ops, and multi-unit buildings, Michelle works with a full range of clients, including upscale buyers and sellers, investors, and first-time buyers.