"I LOVE THIS HOUSE" It is music to the ears of every seller, and David Kramer's wife, Terry Kramer of Markwell Design Group, hears it all the time. She is an interior designer and a staging consultant who, for the first time, shares some of her tips so you too will hear those magic words, "I just love your home."

Staging your house for sale is often a far different thing from simply opening your front door for the entire world to see. What may be a comfortable life style for you and your family may not be what potential buyers are looking for. Potential buyers must be able to see themselves living in the house and turning it into their home. Your job is to provide a blank canvas so the buyer can paint their own picture. If your home appears too cluttered, then the buyer may not be able to see their vision in your home. So where do you start? Here are just four of Terry's staging tips for that perfect first impression.

I. SETTING THE STAGE

For immediate appeal, determine what the buyer will first see when they approach your house. If it is your front yard, then consider the landscaping. A well lived in home may have old landscaping hiding a spacious lot that could be well manicured. The entry way is where the buyer first lays eyes on your home and a positive first impression is invaluable for setting the stage for the buyer's tour of your property. Guide the tour to send a message of gracious living and a relaxed lifestyle. A cookbook open on the kitchen counter, a few books or magazines next to an easy chair or scented soaps in the bathrooms not only look attractive but have a nice, clean aroma. A fireplace filled with new logs, flowers tastefully set up in strategic spots to dress up drab areas, and colorful, yet conservative art pieces will immediately tell any buyer that this is a home they would love to live in.

II. ORGANIZATION CREATES SPACE

The architectural features and size of a house can be lost when possessions take over. The first and most important step is to deal with clutter. It may be a prized possession to you, but to total strangers (potential buyers) it is just clutter. If you do nothing else, "Unclutter." This is a matter of organization, both inside and outside. Take a good look at your home, your personal belongings and evaluate your decorating choices based upon appealing to the greatest range of buyers. Renting a storage locker to give some of your furniture and accessories a break might be the best thing to make your house grow (DO YOU WANT THE HIGHEST PRICE OR NOT?). Closets tend to be filled with hidden clutter which makes them look smaller. There are numerous ways to get quickly organized. First, clean out your closets before you move, not in your new home. If you have not worn it or used it for a few years, get rid of it now. Why pay to move it again? Consider matching hangers, with clothing all hung in the same direction, organized by type and/or color. Use clear storage boxes for small items such as shoes, light bulbs and extra items and clear square storage bags with zippers for sweaters, blankets and sheets. These are excellent organizational tools that not only make your house more appealing but make your move to your new home easier. Remember, "SPACE" implies wealth and comfort. Make sure your closets and cupboards have some empty space.

III. TIP TOP SHAPE

Take a tour of your home, make note of anything that is broken and have it repaired. Pay attention to the working order of appliances, plumbing and lighting fixtures, windows and doors, and the condition of your tile and grout. Look at the paintwork in your home with a fresh eye. Are the colors or wallpaper intrusive? Consider a neutral color (white, off white, cream) that has wide appeal and makes the interior appear larger. Take 90% of the things off countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms and replace them with a few decorative items. Review your furniture and it's placement in your rooms. Match furniture size with the size of your space. Use area rugs to help define specific spaces, create sight lines by paying attention to the flow from low to high, and review your light sources. CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS! Brighten up dark areas by increasing the wattage of light bulbs as light and bright areas are cheerful and inviting. Clean carpets or if necessary replace them with a neutral color to compliment your paint.

IV. APPEAL

A quick and profitable sale takes planning. Your job as a seller is to meet the expectations that prospective buyers have about your property. Every space inside and outside of your home is an opportunity to communicate with your buyer. Suggest a lifestyle and make it easy for anyone to imagine themselves living there. Maximize your entertaining areas to suggest convivial gatherings or quiet corners for reading or relaxing. Make an impression----this is your buyer's new "home", and they need to feel comfortable, with a sense of harmony, and a feeling of pride if they are to buy. Your home must make an emotional connection with all of their senses as the purchase of a new home is based mostly on emotion and not on simple practicality. Don't forget to leave the house during showings so the prospective buyers can relax, feel comfortable and picture themselves living in "their new home." Although a spacious home may present well, an empty house implies that you have already moved and are desperate to sell. Create spaciousness with less furniture and "things." An open, airy house will create its own grandeur and all it takes is a little attention to the details.

Good luck with staging your home! Here are some favorite internet links:

If you have design questions for preparing your home for market, view the Design Questions page or email Terry Kramer at: Terry@DavidKramer.com

Kitchen-Bath.com	Expo.com	Acehardware.com
HomeIdeas.com	Handymanonline.com	DoItYourself.com
Handyman.com	Servicemagic.com
Homestore.com	Gardeners.com