Originally published September 1, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 1, 2007 at 2:03 AM
Real estate how-to
Impress potential buyers
Retailers know that to sell merchandise, you have to display it well. The same goes for your house. Here are some tips for getting your...
Retailers know that to sell merchandise, you have to display it well.
The same goes for your house.
Here are some tips for getting your home ready for the market from Beth Ann Shepherd of the home-staging company Dressed to Close in Los Angeles:
Increase curb appeal with new sod, fresh landscaping, landscape lighting or maybe just an updated front door and handle.
Make a good first impression by placing an oversized mirror in the entry (people love to look at themselves) or a dramatic piece of artwork.
Add fresh flowers and scented candles.
Refresh old or worn flooring. Consider refinishing hardwood floors in a darker color. If carpet needs to be replaced, choose a light-taupe Berber.
Open your mind to new layouts that make furniture unobtrusive.
Install stainless-steel appliances to modernize your kitchen and add perceived value.
Give your bathroom a five-star-hotel look with thick, white towels, including two hand towels placed next to each sink. Add a wood tray with scented candles and beautiful containers holding cotton balls and cotton swabs.
Clean and reorganize closets , culling their contents so they're only half-full. Put all shoes on racks, and leave nothing on the floor.
Add cedar blocks for scent and matching wood hangers.
![]()
Dress your master bedroom like a luxury hotel suite, with thick white sheets, pillows and duvet, a tray with a couple of books, scented candles and a warm wall color. Add one plant that reaches the ceiling to add perceived height and a seating area or chair with a reading light.
Eliminate clutter, photos, notes, pens and pencils.
Hook up an MP3 player to wireless speakers placed casually throughout your house, and play "Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits" during showings. Consider investing in at least one plasma TV to add perceived value.
Add drama to outdoor areas with furniture, outdoor pillows, light fixtures and accessories. Set a table with colorful place mats, napkins and napkin rings. Lean an oversize mirror against a back wall to add the appearance of more space.
— Mary Beth Breckenridge, Akron Beacon Journal
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
NEW - 10:00 PM
Reverse mortgages get more affordable, but be careful
UPDATE - 10:00 PM
Nation's Housing: Too much of a good deal?
UPDATE - 7:52 PM
Guardian to represent ailing Mastro in bankruptcy case
House members spar over efforts to avert foreclosures
NEW - 10:00 PM
Spring-cleaning tips for the garage

general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Electronics
just listed
***Stunning Akc POMERANIAN baby girl W/ FUL...
12 U Select Baseball Coach Wanted
1994 WIn 1901
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Club promoter convicted in brutal 2010 murder of Des Moines prostitute
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
434 - Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looming
346 - Sheriff's office unhappy with 911 dispatcher in caseworker's call
282 - 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
235 - Source: NY, California to sign mortgage settlement
210 - Oregon live game thread
153 - Pac-12 picks ... including the UW game
140 - Lakewood cop accused of taking donations for slain officers' families
114 - Department of Justice owes the Seattle Police Department an apology
88 - Thursday morning links --- and a video!!!
72
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- A wandering gene's destructive path | Book review
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
- UW opening incubator facility for startups
- Controversial principal at Lowell Elementary takes job in Tacoma
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
