How Long Has Your Home Been on the Market?

By Regina O'Leary, House to Home Redesign

Here are some tips to consider if your home has been on the market for some time and you wish to expedite its sale:

From the book "Staging Your Home to Sell", authors Julie Dana and Marcia Layton Turner discuss specific rooms to give special attention to. They suggest that heavy emphasis be placed on the entry foyer of your home, along with the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms. Additionally, the authors suggest that curb appeal is important because many prospective buyers will not even inspect a house that isn't attractive from the exterior.

The authors of this book indicate that the most profitable home staging steps a seller can take are:

• Lightening and brightening rooms;
• Cleaning and de-cluttering rooms;
• Fixing plumbing and electrical problems;
• Updating the landscaping;
• Upgrading the kitchen; and
• Upgrading the bathroom(s)

Speaking of upgrading a bathroom, Mark P. Riley, President of Luxury Real Estate Group in Sarasota, FL states: "To make the most of a 5 X 7 bathroom, do two pedestal sinks with glass and wooden shelves from Restoration Hardware to create openness and the perception that the bathroom is big." Mr. Riley goes on to say that "Slate colored tile looks rich and matches a lot of color schemes and looks great with brushed nickel fixtures."

If you decide to have your property staged to expedite its sale and to get your asking price, authors Dana and Turner state that although home staging costs money, it is very profitable when done right.

Contact House to Home Redesign, Inc. for all your staging needs. We are ready to help you expedite the sale of your home!