The Long Island Board of REALTORS®, Inc. (LIBOR) is a not-for-profit trade association representing 28,000 Real Estate professionalsworking throughout Nassau, Suffolk and Queens. Dianne Scalza is currently serving as the 2019 LIBOR President.

www.LIRealtor.com

If you are planning to put your house on the market, it goes without saying that you are hoping to sell your home as quicklyas possible and get your asking price. Set the stage for successwith these expert tips for styling and upgrading your home, toboost your home’s value and speed up the sale process.

Start with a sparkling clean slate — Give your house a thoroughcleaning before you open it up to potential buyers. Deep clean anddeodorize carpets and window coverings, dust all surfaces — including the walls, ceilings, light switch covers and baseboards.The more your home shines, the better for prospective buyers.

Make the entrance grand — Make the best first impression bysprucing up the lawn and landscape. Mow your lawn and trimyour hedges, and remove dead or overgrown shrubs. Touch upany peeling paint, and power wash the outside if needed. Repair any cracks in the driveway and walkway. Top it all off bybuying a new doormat and adding a seasonal wreath to yourfront door.

Declutter and neutralize — Look at each room objectively andstart packing. Remove anything that will distract buyers from

seeing your property, including personal collections, a wall offamily photos, knickknacks, books and magazines, etc.

Brighten and add warmth — Open the curtains wide and pushback the drapes on every window to let in as much natural lightas possible. Also, replace any light fixtures that are outdatedand make sure all existing lights are working. Turn on everylight in the house to exude a warm glow throughout your housethat will make your home feel cozy and bright.

Set the scene — Lay logs in the fireplace, and set your diningroom table with dishes and a centerpiece of fresh fruit or flowers. Make your bathrooms feel luxurious by adding a newshower curtain, towels, and fancy guest soaps. Create vignettes throughout the home — such as a chess game inprogress — to help buyers envision living there.

Staging a home to sell doesn’t require spending a lot of money— just making smart decisions. Your real estate professionalwill help you make specific changes that will add value to yourhome and entice the buyers who come for viewings. Get everyadvantage you can, use a REALTOR®.

STAGING YOUR HOME TO SELL