|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  |
|
The project: A three-bedroom split-level home in Chanhassen.
What worked: Hardwood floors, a fireplace on two levels, a large deck and an in-ground swimming pool.
What didn't: Hardwood floors under carpet, dominant brick wall and a chopped-up floor plan.
There's a big difference between the way you live in your home and how you present it to sell. The owners of this house had lived there more than 30 years, but once they decided to move they let go of the property.
"Half the battle in preparing your house to sell is realizing that your home is now a product competing with hundreds of similar products on the market." said Lori Matzke of Centerstagehome.com. "Emotionally detaching yourself from a house is never easy, but it's an essential step in viewing your home from a buyer's perspective."
Here's what Matzke and these motivated sellers did to make this house stand out.
To downplay the bricks, Matzke borrowed a brown club chair from the owner's basement and lamps placed on opposite angles provide balance and light.
Although the cool white walls were in great condition, a fresh coat of creamy beige paint works better with the wood floors.
Removed the carpeting to showcase the hardwood floors. Plus, removing the carpeting makes the space feel more open by allowing visual continuity between rooms.
Removed excess clutter. You're already planning to move, so box it up now before your house hits the market.
Accessorized with texture and color. A coffee table with straight lines that match the setting replaced the old one. Soft beige throw pillows purchased for $5 match the walls and coordinate with the sofa. She centered a large picture in muted tones over the fireplace. Centering the accessories reduces the impact of the brick wall and a few pops of color around the room keep the buyer's eye moving.
Removed drapes to make the space feel light and airy and allow more natural light in. She left the pleated shades in place for privacy, but recommends leaving them wide open during showings. With the heavy panels, the room feels larger and brighter and more attention is given to the paned windows.
Edited and repositioned furnishings. Matzke pulled the sofa eight inches from the window and the mint green chair, which created too much contrast with the fireplace, was placed against an opposite wall.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
