Staging Your Home:

INTERIORPREPERATION:

Every room should look as spacious, bright, and warm as possible:

• Wash walls, ceilings, and trim.
• Consider painting with light, neutral  colors.
• Repair cracks.
• Tighten loose knobs, towel racks, switch plates, and outlet covers.
• Fix tight doors and windows, squeaky floorboards, and loose stair banisters.
• Clean and repair caulking around tubs and sinks.
• Fix leaky faucets; remove water stains.
• Clean and organize the basement and attic.
  (This is a good opportunity to throw out all the bits and pieces you don't want to move.)
• Organize closets.
• Get rid of the clutter.
• Limit the number of items stored overhead or on the floor.
• Clean out kitchen cabinets, and remove clutter from countertops.
• Clean drapes, blinds, and curtains. Shampoo carpets, and wax floors.
• Arrange furniture to make rooms appear as spacious as possible.
• Remove any items you're taking with you, such as chandeliers and mirrors.

CURBAPPEAL:

First impressions really do count. If the impact of your curb appeal is strong, people will want to see what is inside.

• Cut the lawn.
• Cut and trim the shrubs.
• Remove dead tree limbs and other yard debris.
• Brighten up the garden with fresh shrubs and flowers.
• Get rid of the clutter.
• Put away toys and gardening equipment.
• Touch up peeling paint on doors, siding, and trim.
• Repair and paint the fence.
• Fix damaged roof shingles and flashing. windows, replace broken panes, and fix torn screens.
• Clean gutters and downspouts.
• Wash the driveway and sidewalk.
• Patch cracks or holes.
• Clean up the garage and shed.
• Have the gas grill ready for use.
• Make sure outside lights and doorbells work.

HOMERENOVATIONS:

The top three renovations that get you the most money are:

1) Bathrooms (75 to 100% return)
2) Kitchen (75 to 100% return)
3) Interior and exterior painting (50 to 100% return)

Other renovations and their average rate of return (the value they add compared to what they cost) include:

• Replacing roof shingles (50 to 80%)
• Replacing the furnace and heating system (5 0to 80%)
• Renovating the basement (50 to 75%)
• Adding a recreation room (50 to 75%)
• Installing a fire place (50 to 75%)
• Up-grading floors (50 to 75%)
• Building a garage (50 to 75%)
• Replacing windows and doors (50 to 75%)
• Building a deck (50 to 75%)
• Installing central air conditioning (25 to 75%)