Feng Shui to Sell Your Home - By:

With the abundance of homes on the market in the Central Texas MLS (over 10,000, up 23% from last year) many people are scratching their heads wondering, "why hasn't my home sold?" They say "It's the best home on the block, we repainted 5 years ago, sure we are a little messy but its not too bad and yes, we do have a cat, is the smell bad?" Anyone ever heard this from your friends and neighbors when they list their home? In today's market, the home needs to be pristine, clean, smell good and totally have a WOW factor. You only get 10 seconds to make a first impression.

As a REALTOR in Austin, Texas, I can relate to the 10 second rule. I have had buyers in the car and pull up in front of a home...they take one look at it and refuse to even go see the inside. Big show stoppers are ugly flower beds, uncut bushes and trees, tons of yard art, no flowers, toys all over the lawn and no street appeal. Well, do you want to sell your home or don't you?

Today's Real Estate Agents understand it isn't about just sticking a sign out front and hoping it will sell. That doesn't work anymore. Experienced Agents will guide you through the necessary steps to get your home in sellable shape. Many stage their listings and many incorporate Feng Shui into the process to assist their sellers to increase the value and speed up the sale at a better price. This article is going to touch upon the art of the staging process using this technique.

The following items are just a few of many ways to increase the sale-ability of your home:

Start at the curb - review your lawn, bushes, trees, flower beds, etc. Remove the clutter everywhere, you are moving anyway. Plant red and yellow flowers as they arouse the eye more than any other colors. Hang a wind chime on the right front corner. Spruce up your front door and porch. Paint the door, add new handles/knobs and kick plate. Update what you can. Add a water feature, even if it is just a bird bath.

Move into the entry and visualize someone coming in for the first time. Refresh the paint, remove the clutter, add mirrors and lamps to make it bright and welcoming. Remove all plastic flowers (everywhere). Add a chandelier if possible, they add sparkle and class. Not to mention - curves of the lights gives great flow.

Kitchen (most important room in the house) - it better sparkle. Take off as many things on the kitchen counter as possible. You want good energy here, update the faucet/sink, clean the cabinets out so they look spacious. Keep cleaning materials out of sight, they distract and drain the energy. Add fresh cut flowers to the dining table or island

Master Bedroom - have a calming neutral paint color on the walls. Use real plants to decorate. De-clutter (as in every room), create this room for tranquility and make it a safe haven. Add a comfortable chair w/small table to insinuate a cozy, reading area or place to relax. Same with the Master Bath - make it a retreat of sorts, big fluffy towels, add luxury soaps and candles. Put all medications, shampoo, make-up and other personal items in a drawer. Clean out closets and linen area, arrange your shoes. You want this entire suite to be inviting and warm.

Living areas - angle your furniture at a 45 degree angle add new pillows and rug. Put away all the videos, DVDs and CDs in a uniform cabinet. Take down all personal pictures - you want the buyer to involve himself with his family not yours. Put throws on the arms of the chairs to show this is a family or comfy room to visit and entertain.

Colors - don't use white either inside or out - it drains energy. Cream and pastels put out the best Feng Shui. Green is favorable also as accent pieces it represents fame, fortune, health, harmony, joy and protects from evil.

And one more important step - Smell - your home must not smell bad! It instantly turns a prospect off. It shouts, house is dirty, there is a pet in the home, they didn't take care of this home. It is one of the biggest turn-offs there is. Purify, deodorize, clean carpets. No smoking in the house....it reaks to everything.

Although, this by no means everything you need to do but it is a start. It will make a big difference for very little money out of your pocket. If the home feels good, the buyer will pick up the vibes and buy.

About the Author

We are all learning that you cannot just list a home in the Austin area, things like staging are also inportant to selling homes in Central Texas

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