So, you found a community that fits all your needs--the homes have a loft for a home office, the clubhouse has all the amenities to keep you busy, it is close to your family and you are ready to move in and make new friends! Great! Except, your existing home has been on the market for several months--without an offer--and you are getting very anxious. But why? This house was a great place to raise kids; the family room carpet withstood them and the dog for 20 years! The bathrooms were pretty snazzy with that pink tile! And there really is plenty of storage in the kitchen cabinets (once all those chipped dishes get thrown away)! So why has no one grabbed up such a charming place?

Let's think about the model home you visited at the new community. The foyer was so captivating, you couldn't wait to see the rest of the house. The walls were probably painted in a soothing, relaxing color. The bathrooms had all the "bells and whistles" to make you think you were at a spa. The kitchen--well I don't know if there were as many cabinets as in your present house--but they sure looked like they had plenty of storage space!

The model is probably one of the reasons you decided to move here. It made you feel as though you could do so tomorrow. So how can you make your existing house feel the same for the next potential homeowner? By having it staged. A model home is merchandised-- furnishings, accessories, window treatments-- all new and presented in a way to make you feel as though this could be your home. In "staging" you certainly don't want to spend money on all new items, therefore you can use "props" (as in those used on stage) to make your house desirable to the next family that moves in.

When people first pull up in front of your house, are there overgrown bushes? Does the mailbox need to be replaced or the shutters need a new coat of paint? You see these things everyday so you probably don't realize that they may look somewhat on the shabby side. It doesn't look very inviting.

On the interior, all those things that make you feel comfortable and "at home," may not be so appealing to those looking to purchase your home. Does the foyer need new or brighter lighting? Would an area rug under the kitchen table make it look a little cozier? As much as you love seeing your family and friends in those photos, it might be a good idea to reduce the clutter and pack them away (you'll have to do it anyway when you move!).

Invest a little to get a lot (more for your home). When you stage, buyers won't be adding up the cost to paint and repair--the amount they'll want to deduct from your asking price. They will see how comfortable that family room is (once the furniture has been rearranged, new accessories and some wall art have been added). You may not want to replace the tile in the bathroom, but once up-to-date wall color and spa-like accessories are added, they may not even notice the tile. But remember, it may cost less to replace something than what the buyer may ask you to deduct from your asking price!

These are just a few ideas that Designs For You, LLC will utilize to help sell your home. Having been in business since 1986 doing residential and model home merchandising, you will have a world of expertise at your fingertips. Being a Baby Boomer myself, I understand what your life is like--boomerang children, aging parents and wanting to relax and enjoy the next stage of your life.

If you are a "do-it-yourselfer," an in-home consultation with checklist in hand will give you everything you need to get started. Make life a little more simplified. Let Designs For You, LLC handle adding accessories, rearranging, renting or purchasing furniture, hiring painting contractors or landscapers. Services are assessed on an individual basis. As you can see in a model home, everything is ready and put in place for the Grand Opening by the merchandiser. You can have the same service, and have everything ready and in place, by having Designs For You "stage" your home for the first Open House.