Happy Thursday, friends! Today I’d like to share with you a post called, “How to sell your house in one day” And this is how my sister did just that! Check it out!
As with most things in life, preparation is key. My younger sister knew about a year ago that she and her husband were planning to sell their home near Charlotte, NC once their youngest graduated from high school. So, Steph didn’t waste a minute! Since we had just sold our house a few months earlier, she wanted to pick my brain on how to go about staging the house and getting it ready for market.
We spent a few hours going room by room in her house and took notes. The house was already in a great location, with good schools, nearby shopping and a golf course across the street. So, it had a lot going for it to begin with. The traditional style home also has a formal dining room, eat in kitchen, an office and four bedrooms. Perfect for a young, growing family! Plus, the back yard was fenced in and beautifully landscaped by my green-thumbed sister.
Stephanie began at the curb and worked her way through. The house is a classic two-story home with white siding, pretty shutters and a black front door. She and her husband pressure washed the house, the driveway and front porch. First impressions are everything to a buyer! If a buyer sees that a home is clean and well taken care of, they will be more inclined to see it as move-in ready and low maintenance, starting at the front door. Isn’t this a welcoming entrance? (Photo from listing) You can’t go wrong with pretty plants and a wreath. Let’s take a look at some other improvements Steph made inside!
Stephanie painted the kitchen cabinets a bright white. Previously they were a light pickled color which she felt made the kitchen look dated. The white paint instantly brightened the kitchen and made it look brand new! She also decluttered the countertops.
They already had sleek stainless steel appliances which are still very popular.
My sister painted each room with a fresh coat of neutral paint. In the master bedroom Steph added a subtle stencil as a feature wall behind the bed. I think it turned out beautifully! Crisp white bedding is also a good idea when staging a home. Clean and classic.
Steph painted the powder room on the main floor with a grayish-silver paint and then added a stencil above the vanity and on the opposite wall. The faucet and sconce were already a polished nickel, so she added a round silver mirror and new knobs for the vanity to complete the updated look.
Simple, yet neutral decor is key in home staging.
The office got a fresh coat of paint and is perfectly staged with things my sister had on hand. Instead of a sideboard, my sister used a long dresser, perfect for holding office supplies and lessen clutter.
My sister took personal photos down from the walls and patched and painted over the nail holes. Fresh paint always looks and smells nice. Also, make sure you clean the carpets and floors!
Steph’s handy husband replaced several of the old light fixtures with prettier and more up to date options, many of which were found at thrift stores. (You’d be amazed at how inexpensive and pretty some of them are!) Simple updates such as this make any home look more upscale and unique. So, if you can, get rid of those obvious builder-grade fixtures.
I think this little room turned out so sweet! My sister staged it as a little girl’s room. But with the neutral colors, it could easily be a boy’s room or a cute nursery.
All of the bedrooms were cleaned, painted and decluttered. White or neutral bedding in each room makes for a uniform and calming look. Without extra clutter and busy colors, the rooms appear larger and versatile. And don’t forget those closets! Make sure you get rid of unwanted items so the buyer will see there is ample storage space. It’s also a win/win situtation. The more you get rid of before hand, the less you have to move, so it’s the perfect time to purge and donate!
Steph and her husband had the luxury of purchasing another home before they sold this one so it allowed them to start moving some of the larger pieces and gym equipment out of the house before this one went on the market. Even the bathrooms got a fresh coat of paint and neutral accessories…
Steph painted the cabinets in the master bathroom white as well. And remember to CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN! Most buyers look at bathrooms and kitchens closely. Try to make the master bath spa-like with fluffy towels, candles and pretty soaps.
After nearly a year of preparation, my sister and brother-in-law finally put their house on the market. Their realtor held an open house on a Saturday when the house hit the market and they got an offer that very day! Not to mention, the buyer was so in love with the house she offered thousands of dollars OVER the asking price so they would take it off of the market. Fantastic! My sister and brother-in-law were so pleased that it sold so quickly and closed a few weeks later. Now they could finally move to their dream home!
The moral of the story is to prepare as much in advance as possible when it comes to selling your home. Some real estate companies offer home staging for free, or at a reduced price. But, my sister is proof you CAN do it yourself! The more you prepare in advance the better! Just take each room one at a time and work your way through the house. Clean out the drawers, closets and under the sinks too. Make any repairs as you go. If light bulbs are burned out, replace them and clean the other bulbs. Try to de-personalize and de-clutter each space too so a potential buyer can see themselves living in your house. All of you efforts will be rewarded in the long run. Trust me!
As you can see, my sister’s and BIL’s hard work paid off in a big way! And if I’m very sweet to my baby sister, maybe she’ll let me show you a peek at their lovely new farmhouse? It’s definitely a fixer-upper, but they are up for the challenge. (Obviously!) Thanks for stopping by today! Hopefully tomorrow I can share with you a surprise in our basement. Have a great day! xoxo Dell