Is it difficult for you to sell your house? Have you been on the market for months only to receive disappointing offers or worse, no offers? Why do some houses fly off the market in just days or short weeks and others don’t? As a professional Home Stager, I get asked this question a lot. I’m here to give you tips to get your home in its best shape yet so you can make that sale!

Here are 10 tips to help you prepare for a sale:

1. Get an objective eye

Let’s face it, you’ve been living in your house for a long time. You have come to like it and have become very familiar with it. This does not allow you to view his house objectively as a buyer would. You need to find a friend or professional Home Stager to help you with this. The bottom line is that you need an honest and informed opinion about what needs fixing, what can be changed in the flow of the home, and what will really attract buyers and make them take ownership of your home. If you do this yourself, I guarantee you won’t change much and either be back in the waiting game or end there.

2. When in doubt, be neutral

Learn about the types of ethnic groups in your area and what people want to buy. If you live in a high latino area like me, the color is acceptable and is considered warm and inviting. So you can take advantage of the cheerful yellows and reds. In a more traditional area, you’ll want to stick to neutral colors. It may not be everyone’s preference, but it is easy for the buyer to paint and is clean and creates a room that appears larger. Stick to neutral colors throughout the house for a consistent look. If the room looks really boring, add an accent wall. This wall is meant for focal points like the fireplace wall or for a wall with lots of windows.

3. Curb Appeal can make or break you

The exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers see. Be sure to get an objective eye for this area. It is proven that many people have already begun to decide on their house by its external appearance in the first 30 seconds. Make sure that all plants, shrubs, hedges and trees are well trimmed and cared for, and that the grass is freshly cut. If it is scarce in some areas, plant some new grass or grass seed in some uneven areas. For a quick fix to some yellowing grass in small patches, you can use green spray paint. Make sure all concrete steps, porch, and driveway are free of cracks and level. Test exterior lights so they all work, change bulbs if necessary. The red color is ideal for outdoor potted flowers. Make sure your mailbox is in good condition and not rusty. Your home address numbers should not fall off. If the exterior shutters and door are soft, it’s time for a fresh coat of paint. If there is any chipping, flaking, or discoloration, you should also lightly sand and repaint. Black or red done in a glossy, not flat paint, adds a dramatic entrance. Add a beautiful wreath and welcome mat at the door.

4. Backyards matter

Don’t forget your backyard. If you have a pool, make sure it is clean and that the tiles or concrete around it are not cracked and in good condition. Add color, pinks and reds are great with lots of greenery. This can be in the form of planted or potted flowers. Again, trim the hedges and mow the grass to make it neat. Get out the rake and go between the bushes and areas that collect leaves and start packing them in a trash bag. Create a true family atmosphere with a table or umbrella table with 4-6 cushioned chairs made of teak, or use faux rattan. Buy it at yard sales or discount stores if you don’t intend to keep it for the next house. You can also add a barbecue. Clean and well kept is the idea as most families will want to have kids there as well as guests so let them imagine that.

5. Kitchens are key

Kitchens are the heart of the home. Every day you eat, prepare food, wash your hands, do the dishes, and gather in the kitchen, of course. If you’re going to do some improvements, I highly recommend upgrading this particular room. Depending on your budget, I would recommend tile, a good laminate, or even granite countertops. Cabinets need to match and be cared for. If they look a bit dry, use some orange oil to refresh them. Keep countertops clean and fresh by removing small appliances and leaving a few simple things like a candle, a fruit basket, a small appliance like a coffee maker or blender (we use ours every day), and a small assortment of glass containers that you could put pasta or beans in for color. One of the main downsides is clutter so PLEASE remove all magnets and artwork, papers, coupons and the like from your fridge. If you have to put one or two, do it on the side of the fridge. This will get you out of your kitchen. Keep the sinks clear of dishes while you show your house and be sure to clean the sink faucet with glass cleaner and place a couple of small potted green plants. Your kitchen table will be refreshed by a nice transparent vase with bright flowers, if they are very fragrant, the better. I recommend using a candle in this room as well, something that smells like baking to engage your senses.

6. Make your bathroom luxurious

Give your bathrooms an pizzazz and sparkle by keeping countertops clean and free of clutter and knick-knacks. Use white or a light color and make sure the faucets are sparkling clean with glass cleaner. If they look old and really out of date, update them, it makes a world of difference. Lighting fixtures should also be kept up to date. Use a vanity light with 3 or 4 lights or a sconce on either side of a mirror on vanities. Give it a spa feel by adding a large basket with rolled up towels tied with a ribbon and some soaps, lotions and other goodies. Do not have more than 2 colors of towels, for example, periwinkle blue and chocolate brown, too many will look busy. Work with whatever bathroom colors you have to avoid creating a chaotic look. Again, lit candles with a light floral scent for this room and a clean looking shower curtain. How does the floor look? If things are looking dirty, it’s time to clean the grout off the tiles, replace the tiles, or replace the flooring with the inexpensive clean look of a neutral linoleum tile.

7. Keep entrances clear

A shopper will be turned off if they can’t even get through the front entrance. Keep all shoes, coats, and hangers out of this area if it’s cramped. Stick with a rug at the front door and a long mirror or piece of art. If you have a large entrance, then by all means create some ambience. An elegant mirror with a small table below with candles or a plant, 2 pieces max. If you have the room, you could have a small bench that doubles as storage in the seat. Make sure the tiles or linoleum are in good condition and the walls have been cleaned as this is a high traffic area.

8. Create Flow

The flow of any house is very important. It’s the way you can move from room to room with ease and not feel obstructed or forced through a space. Much of this is determined by the size and placement of the furniture. If you have a narrow dining room, it’s not the place for grandma’s big old table. Similarly, if you have a large room and you don’t fill it properly, it will look weird. The best arrangements for living rooms are generally those around a focal point like a fireplace. You would have a large sofa or loveseat in front of it with a long narrow table at the back of the sofa, where you could have a lamp, some wicker baskets, candles, plants, whatever. Place an oversized coffee table or ottoman in the center. Now, on either side of the coffee table diagonally to the loveseat, you could have 2 oversized chairs. You can also place a rug in the center to anchor everything together if there’s no real focal point. You can angle the rug so that it is more of a diamond shape than a square or rectangle to make it interesting.

9. Create luxury in the bedroom

If your current bedroom, or any of them, has a plain bed with an ugly bedspread, it’s time for an update. Buyers will want to feel at ease here, like a retreat, not a place to run away from! If you don’t have a headboard in the master bedroom, buy one or make one yourself. If you want a new bed anyway, now is the time for perhaps a sleigh bed. Now replace the ugly bedspread with a duvet and a neutral color or let that be the pop of color your room needs if it’s looking dull. Many matching pillows are best, the beanbag gives off a plush feel. It is essential to have a chest of drawers or some other piece of furniture. Try to keep the TV out of the bedroom, and make sure you have end tables on either side of the bed, each holding a small lamp, plant, small candle, or clock. Add fresh flowers to this room and make sure there is a drapery treatment. Ugly blinds won’t cut it. Use a layer of sheers, then add a decorative rod/finish with a simple drapery treatment. Two individual panels work fine. If you have multiple windows, use the exact same set for each one. Keep locker rooms clean and organized. If they look really empty, get some paper bags from your local high-end stores and put tissue paper inside and place a couple on them for a bit of glamour.

10. Turn it on

If your home looks dark and uninviting, it may be due to lighting placement, insufficient lighting, or inadequate lighting. If you need a lot of light, don’t skimp. Make sure it allows for higher power. In areas such as the family rooms, recessed spotlights have been installed, as well as soft lighting through the use of lamps. In kitchens, you can install concealed lights under the counter instead of strong fluorescent tubes. Use natural light as much as possible. Keep blinds and curtains open during showings, unless the light is blinding. Light a few candles in most rooms to create ambience. Also have some floor lamps, table lamps or enough overhead light. Make sure you have bright porch lighting, your buyers might be scared off in a dark and creepy driveway. A word about ceiling fans, in really hot areas like the south they are definitely a selling feature if they have a modern look. If you live in a cool climate most of the year or up north, I recommend replacing it with a fancy light fixture. They can be an eyesore, especially in relaxing rooms like the bedroom. As a Floridian, they are essential in my home, but how I hate the clunky look of ceiling fans!

**If your home has already been on the market and you are in a hurry to sell it, I highly recommend having a Home Stager meet with you. The consultation is inexpensive and they will give you their expert advice. From there, you can try to tackle it on your own or let them work their magic for a quick sale. DID YOU KNOW: The cost of home staging is almost always less than the cost of your first price reduction due to lack of offers? It can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on whether your furniture or rental furniture is used, as well as the size of your home. **