Staging Your Glenview Home on a Dime--It Can be Done!

Do you want to get your Glenview home sold ASAP? Staging may be just what is called for. But it's hard to spend money on a home that you're planning to leave, right? Well, here are some great staging tips for home sellers that don't cost a fortune--or much of anything for that matter.

Step 1: Depersonalize
The first step in staging your home to sell is depersonalizing it. This means you need to take down the photo of Aunt Grace's 99th birthday party, the picture of your son's soccer team as well as his trophies, and all the dog's blue ribbons. Pack them up and move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Declutter
Now that a lot of your personal memorabilia is out of site, it's time to get rid of other clutter. This includes all those stacks of magazines, your collection of stuffed tigers, and the crocheted afghan you were so enamored with ten years ago. Pack the clutter and move on to Step 3.

Step 3: Define
Look at each room of your Glenview house by seeing beyond what you've been using it for and beyond what it's set up to do. Is there a room just off the kitchen? Could it be a dining room if the computer was taken out and a dining table put in? Voila! Yes it could. What about the third bedroom being turned back into a bedroom instead of your craft room? Don't want to buy a bed you don't need? How about an affordable blow-up mattress? Add a bedspread and pillows and you have a bedroom. When the house sells, you can use the mattress for unexpected guests in your new home. Make a list of each room’s purpose and move on to Step 4.

Step 4: Design
If you have lots of furniture crowding your rooms, consider moving some of it out. Then rearrange what's left to design inviting conversation areas, a lovely place for entertaining guests, quiet sleeping zones, and a real computer room. Now load up that extra furniture and move on to Step 5.

Step 5: Delight
Now, for some delightful curb appeal to grab the hearts of prospective buyers before they even step out of their cars try some easy steps. Come spring, pots of annuals in full and colorful bloom can be a great heart-grabber. A new coat of paint on the front door and carefully trimmed bushes and grass will dazzle visitors before they ever move into the beautifully staged interior of your home. Bikes and wagons have to go, however, so load them up with everything else and move on to Step 6.

Step 6: Deposit
Deposit all the stuff produced by Steps 1 through 5 in a self-storage unit. With any luck you may be able to get the first month or two at a reduced rate. Now your extra items are out of sight and out of mind of your prospective buyers.

Your house is staged, and you haven't had to spend a lot of money to get it that way. Your next step is to contact The Marla Schneider Team to sell it for you or to help you find a new home. We're the real estate experts in Glenview, Wilmette, and Northbrook and on the North Shore.