When you are preparing your house to be listed for sale, it can be difficult to prioritize what needs to be done. Suddenly you see your house not as your home, a safe place, and your haven from the world, but instead as a giant PROJECT with a ticking timeline. Every procrastinated item on your “Honey Do” list looms with alarming urgency. From patching nail holes to getting the cracked window fixed to painting the bedroom your three year old personalized with crayon…. where to start?
Take a deep breath! There is a method to the madness, I promise!
A buyer is going to want to be able to imagine themselves or their family in the space, and that starts with the common areas. Kitchen, dining room, and living room top the priority list, along with master bedroom or master suite.
The first step is Decluttering. Get rid of excess belongings, furniture, and that stack of papers you’ve been meaning to go through. Time to throw away, pack away, and take a few trips to Salvation Army.
The next step is Depersonalizing. This doesn’t just mean taking down personal photos. It also includes changing up personalized décor. The dining room in these before and after photos was painted a very warm mustard color, and it was too specific to the homeowner’s taste. A couple coats of the same gray color they had in the living room (along with a solid Decluttering effort) transformed the room into a serene and bright dining room.
The last step is Defining. This dining room was previously serving as dining room and makeshift office, with a desk in an unphotographed corner. The desk was removed so that any buyers could see the room clearly as a dining room instead of combination dining / office.
Still feeling a little overwhelmed? When you list with DuBois Realty Group they will provide you with a complimentary staging consult with Dawson Interiors. After your consult you will receive a detailed list of “homework” to plug away at, which takes the guesswork out of it. Having a personalized priority list is a game changer when it comes to preparing to list your house! Of course, nothing can completely erase the fact that selling your house is a huge endeavor. But thanks to the partnership between DuBois Realty Group and Dawson Interiors, it doesn’t have to be so stressful.
