REAL Exclusive Magazine

Ready Set Market

Part II

By Tracy Eisnaugle

Last month we started discussing design consultation or staging techniques to assist in the process of getting your home or listings ready for the market. This month we will continue the discussion with additional tips and pointers remembering that our goal is to de-personalize and de-clutter the residence. Potential buyers need to be able to visualize their own style and furnishings in the potential home, if a home has too much stuff even if it is great stuff buyers can become overwhelmed and distracted.

Here is a list of additional pointers to assist those of you who are selling your current home or working with clients to sell theirs.

 If you have a home that is full of framed photos, silk plants and knick-knacks it is time to pack them up, open the spaces and allow the house to breathe. A few accessories add flair and interest, but too much is simply too much! Please do not remove these items for the photo shoot or hide them in closets, go ahead and box them up, send a message to the universe that it is time to pack up and move on.

 All closets including pantries and linen closets need to be cleaned and organized. Box seasonal items that are not needed, those innovative waterproof vacuum bags are perfect for safely packing away these items for the future move.

 Remove all of the small multiple floor rugs from bath rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and throughout the home especially for photography and showings. The future homeowners want to see the tile and floor coverings in those spaces. Large rugs in main living areas and dining areas are fine they add sound absorption and color it’s the small tedious rugs at every door that can become distracting.

 Think casino, have you ever noticed that you never see a clock or a phone in a casino, that is because they don’t want you to think about those things, they want you to lose track of time and responsibilities. So pack up the additional alarm clocks, phones and even bathroom scales we don’t want potential buyers to realize that they still have ten more homes to see, need to make a phone call, or need to hit the gym we want them to relax and think about living in the space.

 Remove all dated materials such as calendars, newspapers and magazines especially if the home is occupied seasonally. Nothing is worse than looking at a photo and seeing a calendar with a date from two years ago, potential buyers will assume the home has been on the market too long and start questioning why.

 As for holiday decorations, please do not decorate your home for the holidays if it is on the market especially when photography is scheduled. I understand that we have to live in our homes during the holiday season but we tend to go overboard with decorations and it is impossible to see the forest for the trees.

 Again…Clean, clean, clean.

With so many wonderful homes available in our area, it is our job to make sure that each home is represented in the best light possible, working as a team to provide excellent service to our client’s results in a positive experience for both buyers and sellers, so take another look around and get Ready Set Market.

Tracy L. Eisnaugle has practiced interior design in Sarasota since 1997 and is currently self employed providing design consultation services in the area. She is a graduate from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and continues her education by attending annual conferences. Her past experience includes, Design Center Manager for Lee Wetherington Homes, high-end residential design and model merchandising. Tracy may be reached at 941.232.3358 or by e-mail at tleisnaugle@msn.com.