Index

NEED HOME SELLERS SERVICE

NEED HOME BUYERS SERVICE

NEED HOME MORTGAGE SERVICE

YOUR FLORIDA HOME

BEST AGENT FINDING FIRM OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

FINDING USEFUL REAL ESTATE RESOURCES ALL COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE

COUPONS WORTH $1000'S

SCENIC ROADS & TRAILS

STAGE YOUR HOME

First impressions are very, very important to buyers. Investment in time and money can give your home a real advantage over the other homes for sale. But there are right ways and wrong ways to spend the money and time. Some things ought to be done to every home. But for other things it depends on the home and the situation of the home in the community.

For example there are some areas where every home has poorly kept lawns, mostly weeds. DO NOT spend time and money to install a lawn. There are other areas where every lawn is beautifully kept. If your home has a poorly kept lawn DO spend time and money to remediate this. When Chris and Deane moved to Naples from Daytona Shores in 2005, they spent about $7,500 to spiff up the place and show it off in its best light.

Two other identical homes did not show nearly as well as ours did, because the owners did no staging. Our home sold for $50,000 more than the other two. And sold much quicker. We keep a very nice home, always fixing things the week they break, but it was amazing to see how much improved our home looked after we did some staging to it. Chris and Deane are delighted to help our clients make some choices about staging their homes in a financially prudent way.

Here is a random list of some things to think about that may help to show your home in its best light.

Turn on lights

Turn on air conditioner

Open the drapes

Keep lawns cut

Weed and edge gardens

Clear driveway and clean up oil spills

Place plants and flowers on patios and decks.

Clean out garage

Touch up paint

Make repairs where needed

Clear halls and stairs of clutter

Store surplus furniture

Clear closets of unnecessary clothing

Clean furnace and filters

Tighten door knobs and latches

Apply orange oil to cabinets to renew their

----original luster

Repair cracked plaster

Clean and repair windows

Remove empty boxes and containers

Repair seals around tubs and basins

Oil squeaking doors

Buy new pillows for the sofa.

Repair squeaking floor boards

Clean and freshen bathrooms

Clean fridge and stove

Repair leaking taps and toilets

Clean around heating vents

Clear kitchen counter and stove top

Trim hedges and shrubs

Touch up paint

Clean washer and dryer

Clean carpets, drapes and window blinds

Bring the outdoors inside with greenery and

----plants

Display knickknacks in threes

Clean porch and foyer

Ensure door bell works

Arrange sparse pieces of furniture in groups

Repair screen on door

Replace defective light bulbs

Fresh paint or varnish front door

Repair door locks and key access

Trim bushes so they don't block

windows and cut down on light.

Put pots of bright flowers on your porch.

Put new doorknobs on your front door.

Put a fresh coating on your driveway.

Arrange furniture with plenty of room to walk around.

Edge the grass around walks and trees.

Keep your garden tools out of site.

Put out large bowls of fruit

Be sure kids put away their toys.

Buy a new mailbox.

Set picnic tables with bright dinner plates.

Buy a new doormat.

Use warm, incandescent light bulbs for a homey feel.

Clean your gutters.

Put out potpourri or burn scented candles.

Buy a flowering plant and put in a window you pass by frequently.

Make a centerpiece for your table with fruit or artificial flowers.

Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.

Buy new towels.

Use soft fabrics such as silk and satin

Spruce up the home with Mirrors, Plants, Lamps, ----Area Rugs, Pillows and Baskets

Arrange colorful and fun cookbooks on the

---counters

Bathrooms should look open and airy.

Upgrade your outside lighting.

Polish or replace your house numbers

Use baskets filled with Towels and Scented

----soaps

READ EZINE ARTICLE: Staging Your Real Estate

GET DEANE'S PACKET OF 15 HOME STAGING ARTICLES

Email a request to D-HARKER@COMCAST.NET

BACK YOU CAN'T MISS WITH DEANE & CHRIS BACK

CHRISTOPHER LADD HARKER Limited Liability Company

Office free 888-553-2923 pay 239-963-4182 free fax 941-375-3658 Deane & Chris CELL 239-682-0182

PLEASE COME BACK AND VISIT DEANE AND CHRIS OFTEN - WE ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING YOU

BYE - WE WILL SEE YOU LATER