Hello, Happy New Year, and Welcome to the very FIRST newsletter, not only for the year, but for Home Sweet Hawkins!!
Thank you for subscribing, and I promise I won't be bombarding your inbox! This is a ONCE a month newsletter, exclusive to subscribers, with anywhere from design tips and tricks, to recipes and mom hacks.
I am so grateful you are here...so let's dive in!
With January coming to a close, and the new year ahead of us, you may be thinking of listing your home! If listing isn't stressful enough, getting your home "list ready," is a whole separate beast! Here are some steps that you can take, that I always suggest when I go in and stage a home before it goes on the market.
The most important thing to remember is staging is meant to turn a home back into a house, so another family can picture themselves in your space. When personalized items and styles are present, people tend to get distracted, and while those things don't matter, many can't look past them, so it is best to neutralize your home as much as possible.
The main things to to be aware of:
This is a great time to start packing! After all, you are moving, so if you are going to put something away, you might as well pack it up.
Remove anything of value that you do not want broken. Again, a great time to pack away valuables or things with meaning.
Clear off the counters -- kitchen AND bathroom. Items that you use on a daily basis can be hidden, and put back once pictures are taken, but for the most part, you want to keep those counters clutter free.
Remove all towels and smaller rugs...a weird one I know, but again, goes along with neutralizing the home.
Please put away family photos in frames and remove them from the walls.
Remove pet items such as bowls and beds. (This is bigger than you think...pet's can be a big deterrent for some.)
I suggest packing away bathroom items in a bin, and then take them back out after pictures. This is also a great way to quickly clear out showers and tubs before a showing.
Make sure the front looks inviting! Sweep off the porch. Power wash or hose off the patio. Get rid of that faded rug, and throw some fresh mulch in the flower beds.
Should you add decor? You may be thinking, "You just said put everything away!" While that is true, think, PRESENTATION. How would you want to SEE a house? This is almost always different from how you can live in a home -- let's be honest, you can't live in a model home...but you sure want to buy one when you walk into it!
Add a few neutral pillows and throws! Don't want to get rid of your pillows? Use pillow covers like these Boucle Pillow Covers or these Neutral Linen Pillow Covers.
Adding a few faux plants to kitchen corners and bathroom counters, really add an extra “pop” in photographs! Even real fruit in a bowl or basket you already have, really add an extra touch
Real fruit also photographs great!
Neutralize the bedding in the primary suite...even if your furniture is outdated or darker...adding lighter bedding can change the look entirely! Follow these steps:
White sheets.
Sleeping pillows behind, pillows with shams in front.
A long lumbar in front. Lumbar Pillow
Neutral comforter - Coverlet Quilt in Ivory
Cozy throw at the bottom. Faux Fur Throw
While this may seem tedious and daunting, a lot of this can be done in a weekend, and many of these tasks do not have to happen until right before your pictures are being taken!
I guarantee, if you follow these steps, your house will sell in NO time. And if you need help, well, you know where to find me!!