Staging your home to sell while living there. Part three.

This is tip #3 for staging your home (when you are living in it) to sell in this climate.  Yes, you can do it. But, you wouldn't want to live this way forever.  So, the goal here is stage to sell and sell quick, capture the buyers attention and keep it!


Tip #3: Use paint, fabric and light to make that home sell fast!  This is Seattle people...we want sunlight, we want it bright and buyers want it sparkling!  Now I'm not talking about all white either....boring. I'm talking about bright colors on the walls, furniture and letting in as much sunlight as possible.  


Open up the blinds (all the way..I mean pull them all the way up) and take off those heavy drapes.  If the blinds are blocking the view or the sun, take them off.  Use a nice window shear to create softness.  Hang the fabric high to create a since of space and make those ceilings feel even taller.  And by all means, have those windows washed inside and out, take off the screens and leave them in the garage or basement (yes, leave them off for the buyer to put back on). 

Waterbury Cream HC-31 on the Wall and White Dove Trim

Paint the walls a nice bright shade that compliments your decor.  I've been using Benjamin Moore Waterbury Cream HC -31 It has a nice yellow/beige tint to it, bright but not too bright.  Some other good neutrals are: (all Benjamin Moore) HC-45 Shaker Beige, HC-44 Lenox Tan and HC-92 Wheeling Neutral.  I recommend White Dove from Benjamin Moore for all trim and ceilings, its a color right off the shelf.  (As a general rule, paint the ceiling white or match the trim, to "frame" your wall color.  It makes your wall color art).  I have to give a shout out here to my good friend I met in Interior Design school:  Tana Mattson, http://altstadtinteriors.com.  She is my go to gal for color consultations, she'll come over and pick your colors for you and you'll love them!  I promise!


Using fabric:  Use fabric to create drama and add style.  If your couch is stuck in 1990 give it a face lift with a couch cover, target has a good selection.  Choose a neutral color and add your splash of color with pillows and a soft throw.  


The brighter the house the better it will sell, especially here in Seattle!