Potential Buyers must visualize themselves living in your house when they visit. Your house needs to show in GREAT condition in hopes of getting a fast sale for top dollar. As an Accredited Staging Professional, I provide FREE to my clients a very detailed staging consultation and will personally help you stage your home with little or no money invested.

Curb appeal is key and could make a difference whether people stop and take a flyer, or drive right by. Here are a few tips to increase the curb appeal of your home. Staging your home is important. Many buyers will stay in your home longer if it's staged appropriately. I have compiled some ideas to present your home in the most effective manner.

Basic tips for preparing your home for sale:

	Make sure the entire house & all carpets are Q-tip clean.
	Do the bathtubs have sufficient grout and are they SUPER clean?
	Remove excess clutter in EVERY room, Tidy all closets so they do not appear overstuffed & pack all personal collectibles. (We want them to see the SPACE not your things).
	Clean all kitchen appliances and make sure they are in good working order.
	Take care of any necessary household repairs NOW. (This could save you hundreds of $$ and possibly bring a quick offer.)
	Clean all windows and light fixtures to SPARKLING!!
	Clear off kitchen countertops as much as possible.
	Check the exterior condition of your home including the paint job and look for any signs of wood rot at entry/exit areas.

"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all." ~ Cecil Alexander

 A pet that lives inside creates more housework.  If you want your home to look and smell great, choose the right materials and you can have a pet and a beautiful home too.

Pet-Friendly Decorating Is The Way To Go

Bare floors are the way to go.

1.  Hardwood floors can be vacuumed and mopped and also add warmth 

    to a room.

       - If you have a large dog, keep in mind that it's claws can

         scratch the hardwoods.

2.  Choose tile.

       - It is easy to clean, resistant to stains, and toenail-

         proof.

       - Marble or other natural stones can stain from acids in pet

         spit-up, even when sealed.

3.  Skip the wall-to-wall carpeting, if possible.

       - Carpet traps pet hair and absorbs pet-related stains

         and odors.

       - If carpet is your only choice, choose a low pile and avoid

         continuous loop carpet such as Berber.

4.  Use rugs on your bare floors.

       - Be sure to use a skid resistant pad.

       - Buy inexpensive ones that can easily be cleaned or

         discarded.

       - Attractive patterned area rugs help disguise hair from

         your shedding pet.

Choosing colors that match your pet's fur is the way to go.

   - Your pet can be a source of inspiration when choosing a color

      scheme for your home.  Coordinate the color of your floor,

      upholstery and pet's bedding to the color of their fur, you'll

      still have to vacuum, but it won't show as much.

Stain-resistant fabric is the way to go.

   - Some fabrics, like velvet, are pet-hair magnets.

   - Crypton, www.cryptonfabric.com, a nearly indestructible

     synthetic fabric resists stains, smells, bacteria and

     muddy paws.

   - Leather is a good choice, easy to clean and durable.  

     Pleather is synthetic leather that is relatively inexpensive

     and has a timeless appeal.

   - Ultra suede (microfiber) is machine washable, comfortable

     and looks like real suede.

   - Slip covers are an ideal design choice for homes with pets and

     and can be easily removed and laundered.  Or, use an area

     cover on your pet's favorite spot and launder often.

Window treatments that serve both your needs and your pets are the way to go.

   - Shades and blinds that can be pulled completely out of the way

     can still provide privacy, light control and beauty.

   - Silk drapes that puddle lavishly on the floor may not be a

     good choice.  They will collect dust and pet hair.

   - Tailored panels or a top treatment may help complete your

     decor and still be pet-friendly.

The way to go...

   - Provide your pet with a quality pet bed that is comfortable

     and easy to clean...www.llbean.com has a great selection.

   - Provide your pet with attractive bowls for water and food.

     Check out www.pawnique.com.

   - Provide hooks by the back door to hold leashes.

   - Provide a basket or bag that coordinates with your room decor

     to contain pet toys.

   - Use a Swiffer to keep floors clean.

   - Spray Febreeze to help remove pet odors.

   - Check out the attractive kennels that may be used as end

     tables or nightstands at www.orvis.com or stylish abodes for

     your cat at www.7thheavencatfurniture.com.

   - Trim your pet's toenails so they won't scratch your floor or

     ruin your upholstery.

   - Bathe and groom your pet and launder their bedding often to

     keep your home looking and smelling great.