| You get the call. Someone wants to see your listing in less than an hour. The clock is ticking and I’m all about helping. So in that vein, I’ve put together a Last Minute Checklist to make your work life just a little easier. These simple and quick staging tweeks you can do at the last minute can have a massive impact in selling your listing quickly and profitably—because small details make a big difference. |
| CURB APPEAL A snow shovel is not a porch decoration. Nor are plastic lawn chairs and empty plant pots. It’s all about making a great first impression. |
| FLIP (ALMOST) EVERY SWITCH One of the quickest ways to add the illusion of square footage and to put people in a good mood is to turn on all floor and table lamps. But you want to be a bit discriminate with putting on ceiling lights, as they can make rooms look warehouse-y instead of welcoming. Use warm-toned 2700-3000K consistent lighting throughout the home. Check for burnt out light bulbs. Hide cords and wires as best as possible. Cable management is a minor detail that can make a big impact, especially in MLS photos. Let in as much natural light as possible—unless you have a spectacularly bad view, in which case, keep blinds tilted downwards. This lets in as much light as possible while disguising as much bad view as possible. If there are dimmers, adjust accordingly. |
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| PILLOW TALK An unmade bed gives the impression of-less-than-clean, and that can be an unsavoury image in the minds of buyers. Make sure the mattress is fully covered and everything is smooth, straight, and even. Wrap the bedding behind side rails for the neatest look. If there are pillowcases, face the openings toward each other. |
| IT’S PRIVATE Keep privacy in mind by storing anything that may give clues as to the present owners. As for valuables, financial documents, perscriptions, religious items and family photos, do a clean sweep. Buyers like to view each home as their blank canvas, and that’s hard to do with pictures of someone else’s family in Disneyland. |
| ROLL UP THE MATS Except for the entry. |
| NOT SO SCENT-SATIONAL Remove scented plug-ins as there may be buyers who are “scent-sitive”. |
| LAUNDRY ROOM Clear anything straggling on floors, the countertop, hanging from hooks or hangers, and on top of the washer and dryer.Last minute trick—store dirty clothes inside the washer. |
| BATHROOM Put toilet seats down and check for a new roll of toilet paper. Hide the plunger, plastic soap dispensers, and toilet brush. Open the shower curtain. Remove the bewildering range of skin care products and any reading material. A bathroom is a bathroom, not a library. Amen. Just as hotels use white items to reinforce the idea that the room is clean, white towels in the bathroom make things look fresh. Fold 2 matching bath towels if there is a tub, and 2 matching hand towels in a powder bath. Here’s how: Fold one side toward the middle and then the other so no raw edges are showing, and then fold it in half lengthwise to hang. |
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| KITCHEN If you’re truly pressed for time, you may not be able to complete this…but whenever possible, remove clutter and small appliances off the countertops— and windowsill. Put sponges, scrubbies and dish detergent under the sink. Take down items from the top of kitchen cabinets—a muffin top of unpleasantness. |
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IT’S YOUR TURN TO… You may get that one potential buyer who will look everywhere, so take out the trash and recycling. All garbage cans should be out of sight. |
| TEMPERATURE You don’t want buyers to rush through the home because it’s either too hot or too cold. The ideal temperature depends on the home and season, but keeping it at around 70 degrees should ensure everyone is comfortable. |
| PETS No thank you. Remove any signs—toys, photos, bowls, crates, leashes, beds, and litter boxes. |
| MUSIC Put on some soft, smooth jazz or instrumental music. |
BRING CHOCOLATES …cause who doesn’t love chocolate? |
| Great work! You did it. Now all you have to do is relax and wait for the lucky buyer who is going to find the beautiful and clean space perfect. |
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