Getting ready to list the house... what to do?!

We made the decision to list the house and signed the papers with the broker so we have to have the house ready for pictures and an open house for brokers next week. I'm so overwhelmed and have no idea where to start!! I know everyone says you should stage the house but how do you do that when you're living there with 2 kids? This weekend I plan on cleaning out as much as I can, decluttering, etc. but is there anything specific to make my house look it's best? Also, our wood floors are in rough shape due to the dogs, is there a way to spruce them up without completely refinishing them? We will be living here during this process so any tips on how to manage keeping the house ready to show while living there with 2 kids, 2 dogs and working FT would be great!!!

Re: Getting ready to list the house... what to do?!

Try Orange Glo for the floors.

Try to corral the toys in one room. and keep them as neat as possible. You don't want people to think you have lack of storage if they are all over the place. People have to understand that you live there.

Keep out minimal pictures and don't have a lot of stuff on the counters in the kitchen.

When we were looking I was more concerned about how clean the house was not so much if everything was neat.

GOOD LUCK!

Re: Getting ready to list the house... what to do?!

I found some amazing places to hide things for pictures, lol!

In the dryer, washing machine, dishwasher and in the shower!

Of course, you can't always hide it there for showings. Our third car has become sort of a storage locker for when we have scheduled viewings though

As long as the beds are made and dishes are out of the sink, the rest is live-able understanding I think!

Re: Getting ready to list the house... what to do?!

Does your listing agent have any recommendations for you, since she has seen the house?

The key things are:

(i) cleaning, (ii) decluttering, (iii) depersonalizing/neutralizing the space, and (iv) making any necessary repairs.

Less stuff is better, so if you have to start packing stuff up to go to make everything look roomier and airier, you should. People like to know there's ample storage, so thinning out closets, organizing pantries and cabinets, and doing those types of things always helps give that appearance.

The house should always be clean (esp. kitchens and baths) and smell good!

Light is important, so make sure there's adequate lighting in the rooms (and turn on lights for showings), as well as opening window shades/blinds, and making sure windows are clean. Darkness turns people off.

I agree that, with kids, it helps to keep their toys in one area, whether it be a basement, their bedrooms, or a designated playroom, if possible. If you are worried about last minute showings, maybe have a plan in place to clean up quickly, such as keeping a laundry basket on hand so you can just do a 5 minute clean up to collect toys and clutter and put the basket in a corner or a closet or garage ... somewhere out of the way.

Hardwood floors are a great selling point. It's not that expensive to refinish floors, but I know it's also not convenient (to have to remove furniture, etc.). So assuming you can't do that, I think most buyers know that floors can easily be redone, as long as the hardwood is already there. I would just keep them clean, and maybe even use a nice area rug in your staging to add color and cover some areas that are more scratched up or damaged than others.

Re: Getting ready to list the house... what to do?!

Thanks for all the feedback! I'm doing some major decluttering and it feels good!!

Just as question regarding the photos and depersonalizing... I have frames going up the stairway with pictures in them. I don't have anything to hang in place of them and if I take them down there will be tons of empty holes in the wall lol! Are these ok to leave? If not, any suggestions on what to replace them with?

Also, I'm not the best decorator so I have some walls that probably could use something. Is it better to leave them as they are or should I try and find something to hang on them? They are in rooms that have furniture and things in them so it's not like it's an empty space.

Re: Getting ready to list the house... what to do?!