New Hampshire Home Stager reveals secrets to selling.
One big mistake many sellers make is underestimating the importance of preparing their bathrooms for sale. I recently did a staging consult for a seller who responded "it's the bathroom, it's supposed to have toothbrushes in it" when I told him to remove his toothbrush from the counter.
There is no room in the house more personal than the bathroom, and it is the last place buyers want to be reminded that you live there.
As buyers, we know other people are living in the house and obviously use the bathrooms, but emotionally, we don't want to think about it. It's like staying in a nice hotel...when we arrive the bathroom has been made to appear as though we are the first person to ever use it. We know hundreds of people have been there before us, but right now...there are clean towels, brand new soaps, and a fresh roll of paper. How would you feel if you found evidence of the past guests in the bathroom when you checked in?
If you currently have your house on the market or are planning on selling your house in the near future, then this seven-part series was written for you.
Previous Tips:
Tip #1 Update Lighting Fixtures
Tip #2 Identify Red Flags
Tip #3 Pre-Pack Your Stuff
Tip #4 Define Space & Function
Tip #5 Maintenance Means Money
Tip #6 Don't Underestimate The Bathroom
When preparing your house for sale, the bathroom must be spotless. 
Clean every inch, including inside the drawers, cabinets, and closet.
Organize and clean under the sink/vanity.
Remove all toiletries and personal grooming products, including those in the tub/shower area.
Replace your faded and worn towels with new ones.
Create a spa-like atmosphere by grouping soaps, sponges and hand towels in an attractive container.
This bath was updated by adding accessories to compliment the dated torquoise sink and toilet. New hardware and a fresh coat of paint for the vanity completed the transformation.
Even a very small, very dated bath can have an impressive transformation at very little expense...A few new accessories, a new light fixture, and fresh paint were added after removing the wallpaper.
New light fixtures and paint were not in the budget, but it didn't matter because the new towels, rug, and accessories were all it took to help get this home sold.
Sometimes, it is just a matter of a little tweaking...replacing the hand towel with a longer one, lowering the picture, removing the candle from the wall, adding new bath towels and a plant, and removing the window scarf made this bath more impressive to buyers.
A naked bathroom is never as appealing to buyers as a nicely dressed one.
Stay tuned for Tip #7
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Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast
Portsmouth Rye Greenland Hampton North Hampton Exeter Dover Stratham
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Sharon, if this room isn't clean and spotless it's such a turn off! I agree make the most of it with a spa like look.
It is the most important room in the house-truly.... :)
btw, did you see Josh's photo-he is up and around on my FB page.
Cynthia: Nothing less than spotless! Thanks!
Cathy: I searched all over your FB page and didn't find him...I'm so happy he is doing well. Is he home?
Sharon- I liked your comparing the bathroom to staying in a nice hotel-we don't want to think of others having used it. The B&A photos were impressive and showed that you could make a significant difference without having to spend a lot.
Another excellent post, Sharon! Thanks for the hotel comparison. They really do try to make us feel like the first person to stay in the room, and it's off-putting when we can tell for sure that we're not!
I like the staging of the bathroom here Sharon. And you are right, it must be spotless.
Hi Sharon
I agree that baths are critical aspect in selling a home.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Sharon...another great one. I love your creative towel holder. I must start thinking more out of the box for towel displays. Also live the statement about naked bathrooms and dressed bathrooms..how appropriate for this room!
Kathy & Laurie: Thank you. I'm not sure where I first heard the comparison to a hotel...probably here. The fact that the bathroom is used is something we prefer blocked from our mind.
Gary & Lou: It is so important to make the bathroom appealing to buyers.
Ginger: Thank you. I try to come up with new ways to display towels and other bath accessories. For the most part, I have enjoyed working on the bathrooms I've staged.
This may sound silly, but this is one of my favorite posts!
Best analogy ever - "It's like staying in a nice hotel...when we arrive the bathroom has been made to appear as though we are the first person to ever use it. We know hundreds of people have been there before us, but right now...there are clean towels, brand new soaps, and a fresh roll of paper. How would you feel if you found evidence of the past guests in the bathroom when you checked in?"
Excellent!
Linda: Doesn't sound silly to me at all! Thank you!
You are so right, Sharon. Clean like no one has ever used it before is so crucial in a bathroom. I always recommend that my clients get an inexpensive electric toothbrush and go to town on every nook and cranny. A seller will never be able to achieve that spa look no matter how well done the staging is, if this room isn't spotless.
Thanks for sharing your helpful thoughts on this!
Mary: Thank you! Getting the inexpensive toothbrush and using it to clean is a great idea!
I think what kills me the most is dirty grout, mildew, etc. Stained sinks and commodes are such a turn-off! Great series you got going here!
"A naked bathroom is never as appealing to buyers as a nicely dressed one" conjured up some interesting visuals -- LOL.
Nice read, and great pictures.
Cindy: That's a big problem. The last thing you want buyers thinking about is possible mold issues. Thanks, I appreciate it.
Russel: Happy to have created some "interesting visuals" for you! Thanks!
Sharon,
What a great example of your work. Very nice!
Mike in Tucson
Mike: Thanks, I appreciate it!