Blog Post

You hear it every year…. “it’s a new year, time to make some changes like a new home and new lifestyle!”  I can say with great confidence that the majority of Cornerstone Homes’ homeowners will tell you that they wish they listened sooner!  

Moving into a brand new Cornerstone Home that’s built just for you, living a low maintenance free lifestyle with time to enjoy your community amenities, and meeting new neighbors that are at the same stage of life as you, can be one of the most rewarding times of your life.  So when you begin this exciting new milestone in your life,  rest assured that Cornerstone has all your bases covered, starting with that first step of getting your home ready to sell quickly and for top dollar.   

At Cornerstone Homes, our Concierge team has helped many of our buyers transition into their new (and better-than-ever) lifestyle as easy as it can be. Our unique Cornerstone Concierge Program is designed to make each part of the process smooth and simple, and that includes staging your old home to maximize its sales price. Believe it or not, staging is a lot of fun, and will guarantee that you’re on the best track moving forward.  Did you know according to the National Association of Realtors, a staged home will sell for 17% more on average than a non-staged home, and 95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less. That is statistically 87% faster than non-staged homes.  

Our Concierge Team Partner,  Linda Orban, owner of Home Staging By Linda, is an expert in the art of staging, and can share many success stories with you of clients she has worked with over the last ten years. Linda stated that it’s important to stage your home the right way because a buyer’s first impression could make or break a decision.  Did you know that 95% of potential buyers see your home in photos online before they see it in person?  Good home staging equals the best first impressions!   And she understands where the eye goes first, as well as what’s pleasant and positive, and what needs a change. Her motto is keep it simple. Make sure your home doesn’t feel too personalized, so a buyer can envision making it their very own.

Linda starts by going through every single room in your home to spot the "clutter zones" so she can work with you to declutter and make the space feel open and inviting. Then she looks for the “quick fixes,” which are small changes that could include, for example, removing old area rugs to show off the hardwood floors, taking off the curtains, changing lampshades, etc.  Believe me, it’s a fun process and can help you start thinking of decorating your new home!!!  

Here are a  few easy and inexpensive tips to get you jump started on our way to a carefree lifestyle!!

1. Boost curb appeal. This is something you always hear, and with very good reason. Many people thinking of touring your home will do a quick drive-by first, often deciding on the spot if it is even worth a look inside. Make sure your home is ready to lure in onlookers with these tips:

○ Power wash siding and walkways

○ Hang easy-to-read house numbers

○ Plant blooming flowers and fresh greenery

○ Mow lawn, and reseed or add fresh sod as needed

○ Wash front windows

○ Repaint or stain the porch floor as needed

2. Welcome visitors with an inviting porch. Make it say “welcome home” with a clean doormat, potted plants in bloom and — if you have room — one or two pieces of neat porch furniture. Keep your porch lights on in the evenings, in case potential buyers drive by. 

3. Get your house sparkling clean. From shining floors and gleaming windows to clean counters and scrubbed grout, every surface should sparkle. This is the easiest (well, maybe not easiest, but certainly the cheapest) way to help your home put its best foot forward. 

4. Clear away all clutter. If you are serious about staging your home, all clutter must go, end of story. 

5. Style your dining room table. The dining room is often a blind spot in decorating the home. Between dinners, a large dining table can look bare and uninviting, so styling it up with visitors in mind can increase the appeal.

6. Rearrange your furniture. In the living room, symmetrical arrangements usually work well. Pull your furniture off the walls and use pairs (of sofas, chairs, lamps) to create an inviting conversation area.

7. Open those closets! Open-house visitors will peek inside your closets. Closet space can be a make-it-or-break-it selling point for buyers, so show yours off to their full advantage by giving excess stuff the heave-ho. Aim to have 20 to 30 percent open space in each closet to give the impression of spaciousness

8. Create a lifestyle people are looking for. Generally speaking, you want to play up what your neighborhood or area is known for. Have a house in a quiet, grassy suburb? Hanging a hammock in your backyard and a bench swing on your porch could be the perfect touch.

9. Think seasonally. Make sure your garden is in beautiful shape in the summer, and that any extra features you have, like a pool or a fire pit, are cleaned and ready to go. Take advantage of the cozy vibe of the season in autumn and winter, by building a fire in the fireplace and simmering hot apple cider on the stove. 

Start your year off making the best decision ever! Take this first step to start your new adventure.   Our Concierge Team will get you on your way to your dream lifestyle.   We can’t wait to work with you to get you moved into a Cornerstone Homes community and living a carefree lifestyle!