Decorating to Sell a House by Meeting Three Key Needs

Specific marketing campaigns are no longer just for automobiles and designer clothes. Targeted marketing techniques are now applied to houses that are for sale. Decorating your house in a specific manner to facilitate the selling of it is an important aspect of selling and marketing your home; this type of decorating is called home staging.

The goal of this type of decorating is to strategically style to address the psychological needs of the buyer. The buyer has three major needs when they look at the house.

Can I imagine myself (my family) living here?

Is this an easy, carefree house to live in?

Is this a good value for my money?

All décor choices you make to sell the house will reflect those needs of the buyer.

The most important tip to keep in mind at all times is that first impressions are critical in every area. The first time a potential buyer sees this house is curb appeal. That first glance they get as they step in the house can sell the house. First impression will happen in each and every room; make that impression awesome!

Remove: This area of staging is very difficult for some homeowners because it involves decorating it as a marketable house not as a beloved home. You do not want anything personal on display. This includes removing all family photographs, all toiletries, mail/bill piles, and all special collectibles. All bathroom and kitchen counters need to be cleared expect for only one or two decorative objects. Generally speaking, remove all wallpaper and paint all rooms a neutral ivory color. This meets the need of being able to imagine living there (and not being distracted by who lives there now)

Clean: The house needs to be absolutely sparkling clean. This includes washing windows inside and out, shining the kitchen sink, dusting baseboards, bleaching grout around tiles. It also needs to smell clean and fresh. The house can not smell of animals or cooking. Do not have daily housekeeping supplies visible to potential buyers. This includes laundry baskets and dish drainers - nothing to remind people that there will be work to do in this house. You want to meet their psychological need of living in an easy, carefree house.

Reduce: This area of staging is the most over looked area by the do-it-yourself home seller. All closets of any kind - (foyer closets, master bedroom closets, linen closet, pantry etc) must only be half full. And that does really mean only ½ full. Also consider taking out the extra living room chair or extra dresser in the bedroom. Pack up items you can do without for the next couple months. You want to show that the house has lots of space and room to grow. This meets the needs of good value for the money.

These three simple but effective decorating techniques can help you market and sell you home for what it is worth.

Julie Dana is a professional Interior Redesigner and Accredited Staging Professional. Her company, The Home Stylist, offers online decorating consultations, do-it-yourself decorating plans and real-estate staging.

Visit http://www.thehomestylist.com/ to take a fun style quiz, vote on a color poll, and sign up for free decorating e-newsletter.

---

Escrow Accounts ? Are You Paying Too Much?

Money in escrow is "dead money". It doesn't earn interest... Read More

Mancos Real Estate

Real estate: availability and costIn 2000, the median home value... Read More

Ten Big Mistakes That Will Lose That Property Sale

If you are serious about selling your home, you probably... Read More

Miami Property Booming for Foreign Investors

Miami tourism is growing and so is the Miami property... Read More

What are the Elements in Real Estate?

Each element has a specific color associated with it. Because... Read More

What Are the Pitfalls of Marketing a Property Before Its Ready?

Selling quickly is a high priority for some home sellers.... Read More

Not Everyone is Buying or Selling, Some are Doing Both

As if one real estate transaction is not hectic enough?... Read More

Be A Realtor With Curb Appeal

Are you a realtor with curb appeal or are you... Read More

The Ultimate Short Sale Secret

Buying foreclosures can be extremely profitable for real estate investors.... Read More

Buying A Home ? Rain, Sun, and Weather Issues

When buying a home, it can be easy to overlook... Read More

Property in Bulgaria - Huge Investment Potential

Bulgaria is a truly magnificent country, located in Eastern Europe... Read More

Finding The Perfect Maui Home For Sale

If you are thinking of relocating to Maui, this article... Read More

Housing Froth Creating Imbalance for Consumers and Investors

Home buyers and sellers should think twice before jumping into... Read More

Finding Structural Problems During Escrow ? Small Rural Home Example

In rural home purchases, the transaction is often subject to... Read More

Should You Buy a House or a Condo?

A big debate these days is whether or not to... Read More

How to Find and Buy a Bargain House with Little or No-Money Down

Real estate investors know how to make money buying distressed... Read More

Real Estate Investing - Free Vacations While Searching for Real Estate Acquisitions

Real estate investing professionals look for all possible tax deductions... Read More

Real Estate: A Strong Investment

Description: Even in uncertain economic times like these, history shows... Read More

New or Old House?

A lot of buyers think that a new house is... Read More

Home Owners: Disclose the Facts!

One of the most common causes for disputes occurring after... Read More

Real Estate News

Happy New Year, Make it a better world. "Pay it... Read More

Personal Branding Techniques for Real Estate Agents and Brokers

Branding can be done to any product, or any person.... Read More

The Irish Property Market - Expensive But Worth It?

Lying on the edge of Europe facing out to the... Read More

How Do I Fix Up a Home to Sell?

The first thing you need to do is stop thinking... Read More

What Does It Take To Be A Donald Trump in Real Estate?

Since you are a business oriented person, you might be... Read More

Ten Tips For Selling Your House

One of the biggest mistakes people make when selling a... Read More

Why Canadian Real Estate is Such Good Value

Real estate agents, Canadian citizens and foreign investors interested in... Read More

How To Negotiate A Higher Price For Your House

Negotiation is where many FSBO home sellers really have problems.... Read More

Buying To Let Top Ten Tips

Buying to let is considered a serious investment and should... Read More

How to Use Color Psychology to Prepare Your Home for a Top-Dollar Sale (Part 1)

You've decided to prepare your home for sale. Whether you... Read More

Home Inspectors - Negotiating a Lower Price

To help you negotiate a fair sale price for a... Read More

Property Investment - Buying A Holiday Home in Cyprus

Cyprus is fast becoming a property hotspot for thousands of... Read More

Real Estate Investing: Beware of Subject To Promises

Another real estate writer's mini course, full of promises and... Read More