{"id":4051,"date":"2020-01-23T19:53:01","date_gmt":"2020-01-23T19:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/toritoth.com\/?p=4051"},"modified":"2020-01-23T19:53:01","modified_gmt":"2020-01-23T19:53:01","slug":"how-to-live-in-a-staged-home-and-not-lose-your-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toritoth.com\/new\/how-to-live-in-a-staged-home-and-not-lose-your-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Live In a Staged Home and Not Lose Your Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a perfect world a home seller wouldn\u2019t need to be living in their homes while on the market, however, the list of reasons why someone sells are endless and in many cases forces the homeowner to stay put when selling.\u00a0As I’m writing this post my own home is currently on the market<\/a>\u00a0in Howard Beach, NY.
\nThe experience can be grueling for sellers when their personal lives become public display to strangers and their criticisms. If a homeowner is going to be living in their home when selling they have to willingly be inconvenienced not only emotionally, but physically.
\nMost buyers have a hard time seeing past the seller\u2019s stuff \u00a0unable to visualize living in the home.\u00a0As a seller it\u2019s your obligation to keep the property to show-ready at all times. It must remain tidy and items must remain in their proper place while the home is on the market, or else you could jeopardize the sale. Here are a few tips I’m using to keep our house in good condition while we live in a staged home:<\/p>\n

Start with a Plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The first step is to acknowledge the task at hand and making a plan. Do you need to hire a home stager or can you do it yourself? Can you benefit from hiring a cleaning company weekly while on the market? Where will you store your excess belongings in the home or off site? What minor repairs need to be addressed? Who is responsible for what daily chores in the home? Do you need a place to house pets, kids or the entire family while on the market? Try our home maintenance planner to get started.<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Contain the Entryway<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Keep the entrance of your home clear of clutter. This is the first place buyers will form an opinion about your home \u2013 first impressions count. So, corral daily items that are constantly moving in and out the home with your family members including: jackets, backpacks, shoes, important paperwork, keys and mail.<\/p>\n

Clear\u00a0Out Clutter<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The less a seller has in the home the easier it is to maintain when you live in a staged home. It\u2019s important to make a home look inviting, but not necessarily lived-in when selling. Home stagers recommend removing half of a homeowner\u2019s belongings to make the home look more spacious. Remember buyers are purchasing a home\u2019s square footage not the stuff inside. Start removing<\/a> items in closets, drawers and cabinets in the main living spaces of the home that you don\u2019t use and store items not needed in the next few months while on the market. Consider this the more a seller packs away while on the market the less they\u2019ll have to pack come closing day.<\/p>\n

What Stinks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Control lingering odor<\/a> when selling. Buyers hate walking into a stinky home and I can promise you they won\u2019t stay long if the home smells. Avoid smoking inside the house at all costs. The smell will stay on upholstered fabric, walls, even in the home\u2019s ventilation system. Cooking foods with strong spices or fish can also provide \u201cstank-face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hide Personal Items<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Keep personal items out of sight. Use totes or bins to keep daily toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap products easily accessible and simple to throw in a cabinet at a moments notice. Stash kid toys, collections, personal photos and name plates too. Make sure to store medicine, important paperwork, jewelry, money and other items in safe, secure places that won\u2019t tempt buyers to snoop.<\/p>\n