Do Your Own Home Staging

FOREWORD xiINTRODUCTION xiii1 MAXIMIZE YOUR CHANCES FOR SUCCESS:MAKE THE MOST OF THIS BOOK 1The Sequence of Events in the Home Staging Process 22 UNDERSTANDING HOME STAGING 4What is Staging? 4The Developing Industry of Home Staging 5Marketing Strategies Behind Home Staging 6Relationship marketing 6Target marketing 7Developing Your Staging Strategy 9The Key to Selling Quickly and for More Money 9Preparing your home for sale is like dating! 10Why invest in a house you are leaving? 103 HOME IMPROVEMENTS 12Ten Recession-Proof Home Improvements 12ENERGY STAR windows 12Water-saving toilets 12Water heater 13Radiant heat 13Landscaping 13Doorless showers 13Cork floors 13Bamboo countertops 13Energy efficient lighting 13Garage doors 14Return on Investment in Home Improvements 14iiiC O N T E N T Siv Do your own home staging4 SET THE STAGE 16Developing a Staging Strategy 16What is your property identity? 16Who is your target market? 17Examples: How to use your property identity and target market to create a staging strategy 18Home Staging for Specific Areas 19Primary areas 19Curb appeal 19Front entrance 25Living room 28Kitchen 30Master bedroom 33Master bathroom 35Secondary Areas 36Dining room 36Bedrooms 37Bathrooms 39Family or great room 40Office 41Rec room or games room 41Laundry room 43Basement 44Backyard 45Garage 46Hallways and stairways 47Closets and linen space 485 MORE STAGING TIPS 50Incorporate the Senses 50Smell 51Touch 51Taste 51Hearing 51Sight 51Decorating Basics 55Painting 55Secrets of a great paint job 58Various painting tips 62Space layout and furniture arrangement 63Contents vCozy ideas for large spaces 64Hanging pictures 65Area rugs 66Cleaning and Simple Home Improvement Tips 66Remember, Love Is in the Details 67Little red flags 70Don't Forget Curb Appeal 71Basic gardening 71Decluttering and Storage Solutions 74Furnishings you've kept 'just because' 74How to Have a Successful Yard Sale 76Applying the four Ps of marketing: Product, price, place, and promotion 76Money handling and sales 83Dealing with customers 84Adding value 84Get help 85Safety tips 85After the sale 866 REAL HOME STAGING EXAMPLES 87Examples of Specific Areas 87Curb appeal 87Front entrance 88Living room 88Kitchen 89Master bedroom 89Master bathroom 90Dining room 90Bedrooms 90Main bathroom 91Hallways and stairways 91Closets 92Examples of Staging Techniques 92Create a lasting impression 92Create a focal point 92Expose special features 93Remove window screens and drapes 93Neutralize personal taste 94Lighten up 94vi Do your own home stagingKeep an eye on peripheral vision 95Open traffic flow 95Use angles 95Define the space 96Suggest a use 97Sell a lifestyle 97Dress up for the occasion 98Show scale in vacancies 98Be creative 98Create more space 99Keep it simple 997 HOW TO LOOK FOR GOOD PROFESSIONALS 100When to Hire a Professional Home Stager 100How to Hire a Professional Home Stager 101What makes a home stager a professional? 101How much does a professional home stager cost? 103How to Hire a Real Estate Professional 104Find out who they are 104Ask how they will market your property 104How to Hire a Home Inspector 105Presale home inspection 106What home inspectors look for 107Most common defects 107What to expect with a home inspection 1078 PACKING AND MOVING TIPS 109Start Packing! 109The Perfect Packing Practice 110Packing Tips 110The Big Move 112A guide for a stress-free transition 112Moving with children 113Moving with pets 1159 THE NEW FIRST IMPRESSION 117How to Take Great Photographs 117Equipment 117Get to know your camera 118Wide-angle lenses 118Focal point 118Contents viiLighting 118Manipulate contrasting elements 119Portrait or landscape 119Don't show off your ceiling 119Mirror, mirror on the wall 119Distraction 119Hot spots 119Trick the camera 120Make it straight 120Prepare Your Photos for the Internet 120Make photos count 121Watch what you say online 121Where to post your listing 121APPENDIX I - GENERAL CHECKLISTSEffective Sign Designs 123Furniture Layout Grid 124Master To-Do List 125Moving Checklist 126Open House Checklist 128Packing Shopping List 131Who to Notify Checklist 132APPENDIX II - HOME IMPROVEMENT CHECKLISTSBasement Improvements Checklist 135Bathroom Improvements Checklist 136Bedroom Improvements Checklist 137Closets and Linen Space Improvements Checklist 138Curb Appeal Improvements Checklist 139Dining Room Improvements Checklist 140Family or Great Room Improvements Checklist 141Front Entrance Improvements Checklist 142Garage Improvements Checklist 143Hallways/Stairways Improvements Checklist 144Kitchen Improvements Checklist 145Laundry Room Improvements Checklist 146Living Room Improvements Checklist 147Office Improvements Checklist 148Rec Room/Games Room Improvements Checklist 149Yard Improvements Checklist 150viii Do your own home stagingAPPENDIX III - HOME STAGING CHECKLISTSBasement Staging Checklist 151Bathroom Staging Checklist 152Bedroom Staging Checklist 153Closets and Linen Space Staging Checklist 154Curb Appeal Staging Checklist 155Dining Room Staging Checklist 156Family or Great Room Staging Checklist 158Front Entrance Staging Checklist 160Garage Staging Checklist 161Hallways/Stairways Staging Checklist 162Kitchen Staging Checklist 163Laundry Room Staging Checklist 165Living Room Staging Checklist 166Office Staging Checklist 168Rec Room/Games Room Staging Checklist 169Yard Staging Checklist 171