Staging your home for sale in Las Vegas

When you "stage your home", think of it as dressing your house or condo to be the star at a big event.  As the star, your home in Las Vegas--or any other city for that matter -- should be dressed in a tuxedo (or ball gown), rather than appearing too casual, as if wearing sweats and a t-shirt.  A "sweats and  t-shirt" look is for everyday living -- not for selling a home.

With my years and years of experience, I can tell you there are 2 important reasons for this:

1. Buyers automatically lower the price if a home is messy, cluttered or, worse yet, dirty.  They assume that owners who are careless with the appearance of the house when selling it, were probably careless about upkeep of the home and its systems. They worry that there may be problems in the future and either make no offer on the property or make a lower price offer.

2. Agents will often put a messy, cluttered home last on the list to show their buyers -- and the buyers may very well buy another home before they get to that messy one.

So here is how to put that "star-in-a-tuxedo" look into your home:

Make it look like the "Clean Family" live there.

Wash, scrub, vacuum, clean the carpeting, drapes and curtains -- whatever it takes to make your house look immaculate from top to bottom.

• Do not hesitate too hire a professional to do this clean up.  It will be well worth every dollar you spend.  
  
• Make sure you attend to the little things -- such as bleaching  the tile grout on counters and floors, washing the windows and dusting furniture, blinds, even the plants.
  
• During the time your home is listed for sale, keep up the "clean work".  Vacuum regularly, do the dishes after each meal, make the beds every morning, empty the garbage cans and wastebaskets daily.

Fix it up.  

If there is a light switch that does not work or a faucet that leaks, make sure you have it repaired by a licensed professional.  And keep the receipt so you can prove you had the repair done.

Declutter and depersonalize your home.  

• Pack up the photos, souvenirs, and that stack of mail. You will be moving soon, so you will have to pack everything anyway.   
  
• Clear off tables, leaving only one object on flat surfaces.  
  
• Pack up small appliances in the kitchen and remove everything you can from the counter-tops. 
  
• Stow away make-up and other clutter in the bathroom.  Hang fresh towels.
  
• Move large furniture out of entry ways and hallways to make those areas seem more spacious. Put them in storage, if necessary.

Paint it pastel or off white

Wild and crazy wall colors can limit the number of buyers who are interested in your home. 

$75 worth of paint  -- taupe or pale buttery yellow or a soft beige -- and a few hours of painting can result in offers that are thousands of dollars higher.  Paint the baseboards, the interior doors and window frames white or off-white for a super-clean look.

Believe me, buyers love a home that is "turn key" -- one they can simply move into without a lot of work.

Make it smell like cookies in the oven.

A home that smells clean is good -- one that smells as if Mom's cookies with cinnamon are in the oven is even better. 

• Do NOT use floral scented room air fresheners.  Many people have negative or allergic reactions to the floral scents.  I've seen buyers turn right around and walk out of a home filled with overwhelming floral air fresheners.  Use the cinnamon or apple pie or lemon scents.
  
• If you have pets, use Febreeze or other air cleaner.  And empty the litter box often.  You may be accustomed to the cat or dog smell but prospective buyers are not.  
  
• Smoker's smells are a definite no-no.