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Some Realtors Suggest "Staging" Homes To Appear More Appealing To Prospective Buyers

By Michelle Durham

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- An increasing number of area realtors are discussing the importance of "staging" the homes of their clients to make the surroundings more appealing to prospective buyers and there is a new area business that provides this service for sellers who are not sure how to go about it.

Co-owner of Showhomes in the Philadelphia market, Ally Piccolomini, says her inspection of the property begins the minute she pulls up.

"We start at the curb and really look at what the home looks like on the exterior because when the potential buyer first drives up you want to get them out of the car."

If you are selling your home, there are three key things you can do.

"We want to declutter, depersonalize and deodorize. No one wants to come into a home that smells of pet odor or cigarette smoke. You want to depersonalize because the potential owner needs to come in and visualize themselves in the space. And then just make sure everything is clean. We want it to be military clean."

Piccolomini says that can be a challenge with children in the home, but if you can pick up each day; you can stay ready for that potential buyer who could show up at any moment.

showhomes1
(credit: Showhomes)

Ally's Additional Tips for those selling their homes now:

  • Curb Appeal: Paint your front door and it can really make a good impression. If you can't paint, power wash the exterior.
  • Any interior room that features a bright color, consider painting to a neutral to emphasize the architecture of the home, which is what you are selling.

For more information, visit: http://www.showhomesmainline.com/

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