This is the first installment in a series for people who would like to stage their homes for their own enjoyment rather than to put them on the market (though if you want to put it on the market, definitely call me!) This first post is a little long, future posts will be shorter.
We will use a number of tricks and tools to get our homes staged and will be working bit by bit in manageable pieces. I will post weekly so that we have the weekend to complete or plan for each week’s task. This week is easy. Before we start doing all the things that will need to be done to make our homes show ready, we need to understand what we’re working with While I understand that oftentimes we develop deep emotional attachments to the spaces where we have built significant portions of our lives. The toughest task we will face this week is to turn those emotions off.
The first task this week is to create a place for information. It could be a three-ring binder, a file folder, or a small file that has a spot in the closet next to the fireproof box where you keep your deed and homeowner's policy and other important papers. Next, grab a pad of paper and let’s take a walk through the house, both inside and out. Over the course of this home refresh, we’ll walk through the house a few times for various reasons. This time, we’re not going to worry much about what’s in the rooms, but we’ll focus on the structures and functions of the rooms themselves. We’ll note what works well (we’ll revisit that again), and what doesn’t.
For example, in the kitchen, are the appliances functional? Do they match? Is there adequate cabinet and counter space? Is the kitchen lit well? Are the floors in good condition? Are there places to put everything you need on a day-to-day basis? Does the plumbing leak? Was the faucet installed before you were born?
Compile all this information on a page (or more) for each room and at the bottom of each page, note what you need to happen to this room. Don’t make any value judgments about it, just make the list. In the basement, be sure to look at the walls. Is there evidence of cracking, water seepage or leaking? Musty smell? Just make a note of it. Right now, all we’re after is a “punch list” of sorts that we will use as we go through the process.
Once you’re done going through the house and noting any repairs or upgrades needed, go outside and do the same. Look at walkways, the roof and soffits. Check the landscaping and siding, doors and windows. Right now we’re just getting a solid list together of the condition of the house. Keep in mind that our goal is to make your home show ready for your favorite client—you.
If your list has large items, remodels or repairs, this is not the time to panic. You can do that later. I’ll let you know when. Okay, no I won’t. We aren’t going to panic. We are going to first decide how much of a project you need to get done at once. Things like moving walls or more serious mechanical issues will require a larger budget and more planning and thought. Please don’t knock out your walls yet.
The reason that we are talking about this now is simple: While it’s not time yet to sit down and design your new kitchen, bathroom or HVAC system, it IS time to set it as one of your financial goals and start setting aside a little money at a time to start to account for any anticipated costs. Be it, a direct deposit account or even a swear jar, set something aside each week to offset any expense before it’s incurred.
And that’s it for this week. See? Easy. Next week, we’ll roll up our sleeves and get started.
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