Staging and Updating Secrets When You Sell Your Home - From Bad to Beautiful!

[@ibislife]

I can tell you today that staging means everything. I just sold my mothers appt. It is 3 other appts for sale in the building. My mothers has the "worst" location, facing south-east. I have watched hours of videos on staging the home. I changed the light fixtures, cleaned, decluttered, and staged it. I spent around 1.5K on the staging. Got a lot of interest, and people wanted private viewings. The feedback was that people thought my moms appt was bigger. It was tasteful and bright, even the showing was in the afternoon. I had multiple interests and it sold for 20K over asking, the day before the announced viewing. And I did it myself, with the help of the realtor on the phone. The other appts are still for sale.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Staging makes a HUGE difference, especially in photos. There are many great companies out there but trust your realtor as well. They know how to stage on a budget if you aren't looking to get a professional company. Thanks for commenting!

[@janiceestes9518]

I totally agree with everything you had said. My husband and I take care of our home. Cleaning is number one. I am 70 years old, and I deep clean my home from top to bottom every 7 weeks. I move all my furniture and all the appliances to clean them and behind them. We power wash everything outside and replenish our bark mulch every year. My home is 9 years old, and my stainless kitchen sink looks brand new with no scratches in it. We do not wear shoes in my home. I cannot believe how some people want top dollar for their home, and they do not take care of their home. I only build or buy new.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Wow! This is fantastic!!

[@PaintingandExercise]

Because you do such fantastic deep cleaning often it actually is not that much work. It becomes a horrible chore if you have not done any deep cleaning in years.

[@lizzieb6311]

@@PaintingandExercise fact!

[@l.5832]

When I was in my 20s I badly damaged my back trying to pull out the fridge. Was in physio for 9 months. No 'deep cleaning' for me. Behind the fridge will get cleaned when I replace the fridge. Period.

[@JamieM470]

@@l.5832 I have a bad back also. My dream kitchen has a range with tall legs (easy peasy to clean underneath!), or I'd settle for a counter-top stove and an oven in the cabinetry, and a refrigerator with wheels! Maybe someday.

[@tmusa2002]

So happy I can paint well. Ya’ll are spending g thousands and I’m spending hundreds. You should give it a try. It’s so satisfying.

[@sherirottweilersforever7772]

I’ve repainted the exterior of my 3500 sq ft house every 6 years myself. I love updating with paint.

[@hsmd4533]

Totally. Painting is 100% doable even for novices.

[@jamesscherping2461]

Agreed, Home Depot often offers a free workshop.

[@tmusa2002]

@@jamesscherping2461 Good to know!

[@stacylbrewer]

Love the before ane after pictures. Always helps to have a visual. Don't understand how people can come at you. Everyone obviously has different preferences. But what you are telling sellers is to make everything as neutral as possible to appeal to the MOST AMOUNT of potential buyers as possible.

[@janicetribbiani7535]

Sellers have to change their mindset. When you list your home, don’t think of it as yours anymore. It’s a transition and easier to let go of when you realize it’s better to appeal to the masses.

[@KatiSpaniak]

I totally agree! Thanks for watching!

[@createwithconfidence8094]

I am happy I just had all of my doors and trim painted a nice clean white and I switched out old, cruddy shiny brass-like knobs and hinges for lever handles. I'm slowly working on updating one room at a time.

[@KatiSpaniak]

It is okay to update and refresh at your own pace. You got this!

[@hsmd4533]

I love these staging videos with real examples. So helpful!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Glad you like them!

[@MARNICARN]

Great advice! I am a painter, and you better believe I notice everything about the walls and trim...haha.. Just got the playbook, going to read it now. Thanks!
If anyone paints their cabinets, please do a good ,tidy job of it. Pro classic from Sherwin Williams levels itself really nice and holds up to dings and washings.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks for the comment!!

[@kathrynp7595]

That’s the paint used when we had our kitchen cabinets painted 😊

[@ChicaG-vg7pj]

I'm from a family of woodworkers. If you have small scratches on wood, you can take a fresh nut, and rub the nutmeat on the scratch. This works particularly well if you can use the seed of that tree (walnut for walnut, acorn for oak) and your wood is a more natural color.

[@hsmd4533]

Great tip

[@allisonangier1631]

I need to source a mahogonut.

[@ChicaG-vg7pj]

@@allisonangier1631 lol.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you for the advice! I never knew that.

[@tinkershell1856]

I LOVE this type of video!!! Please do more! ❤

[@KatiSpaniak]

Oh nice! Good to know!!

[@adriaba790]

Yes,bring more videos like this
Very good software for before and after pictures, no amount of words can convey what a good image will and in other YT channels they talk, talk,talk but show very litlle !!

[@tinkershell1856]

@@adriaba790 ugh, I know! So frustrating. Show us! 😂

[@prayonkreutz2398]

If you prep the brass in the bathroom correctly, you could have it sprayed black. That would be an inexpensive way to update a 90s bathroom

[@robinbirdj743]

Or change the fixtures out for $100. I did, and replaced glass like that for $150 (2 vintage medicine cabs) and sold the big mirror for $20.
I changed the light fixture for $75.
Then painted cabinets and trim and painted the gold shower frame!
My bathroom looked wayyyyy better.

[@egiptulro]

It might worth mentioning your advice is valid for the US. TH-cam puts you in front of the world. Real Estate agents outside US have no idea about staging. All they want is sell your home as fast as possible to get their commission. If the seller gets $ 50,000 more, that means nothing to them ( since half of that commission is taken by the principal). Agents are afraid to ask sellers do expensive works around the house . Painting walls in Australia is min $ 3,000 /room.
Decorators in other parts of the world are actually home stylists . It is about $10,000 to go through the course. & accreditation. It takes 2 years to finish the studies. They don’t have to be stagers to know how to update the house. They can personalise the space to suit owners or they can neutralise it for buyers. It’s all about the brief. Stagers, on the other hand, do not have to have any certification. All they have is design flair & furniture stock. Sometimes they just push their own furniture in people’s homes ( when sellers already have some good pieces).
As an interior designer and decorator I can only comment on painting kitchen cabinets: white wash them if the wood grain is beautiful. Never DIY unless you are a pro. Light colours ( especially white ) will show all the imperfections…
Busy patterns on the floor makes the space look smaller …

[@Mary-fy3tc]

I LOVE painted wood. I don’t love orange or brown wood. That said, I’ve painted my cabinets and let them cure and followed best practices every step of the way. Sadly, they still don’t hold up like factory painted ones do. I don’t want to cause a problem for the new owner when the paint starts to fail a few years down the road. I’m an experienced painter, but cabinets are next level if you’re looking for a professional finish. I agree with so many of your points in this video. New subscriber! 😀

[@notinamerica_911]

I love your videos they are helping me to stage my house over time. I really am enjoying pairing down things and getting our house ready for sale in 5 years.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Oh thank you!!!

[@susananders3834]

The kitchen island at about 13 min has different hardware than the cabinets. That is actually bothering me a lot. I would be concerned about what else hasn't been done I the house, just based on overlooked details like that--which are some of the easiest things to update.

[@tmusa2002]

When we sold my mom‘s house in 2010, she had a kitchen that was remodeled in 1979. The floor had been replaced since, but that was it. She had that white Formica countertop with the gold flecks in it. We sold it without a realtor, and the people who bought it said that they loved the countertops! What?

[@BeeKaye]

I completely agree that area is really important. What I lived in in So. Cal is totally different from my Oregon home. It took me a minute to be okay with the difference.

[@janemarlo4978]

I love painted wood! Doors, cabinets, furniture, all of it!

[@karensykas3809]

What is up with the white couch, so impractical. I hate the grey and white homes.

[@carollittle1381]

Interesting point about painting the trim. When we built, we went with paint grade trim. Much less expensive. Did want to do it then, but now glad we did.

[@kathleenk2381]

Honestly, if a realtor shows me a house with anything gray or with conference room lights, I’m outta there.

[@kathrynp7595]

We spend $10,000 on completely painting our whole house, walls, ceilings , and all the trim. What a huge difference !We don’t plan on selling for a few years so we get to enjoy it. Next is renovating our master bathroom, will go very neutral for resale. We do a project every year to keep the house updated. I throughly clean my house every week to keep from letting it get grubby. Our home is in the 2.5million dollar range in a upscale community in Southern California.

[@MrApple12610]

I’m a realtor in Orange County, if you need any help, please let me know

[@KatiSpaniak]

I have been down that road with my home as well. Keeping it fresh and updated makes you, as a homeowner, feel proud of your home. Thanks for commenting!

[@jojo-tl5ei]

Putting the work into getting a home ready for showing is so worth it. It is a lot of hard work and planning though!

[@susantom4400]

What I can never understand is the show Love it or List It where the renovations cost $X and the value of the home increases by greater than that. It confuses me because I see other information that says a kitchen renovation will recoup 60 - 80%. So as a seller why would I spend $100k to recoup $80k (assuming im not remodeling for my personal benefit) ? I get “staging” as in painting cleaning updating furniture etc because it needs to look attractive but those are cosmetic changes that should not involve construction.

[@user-hm5zb1qn6g]

Love it or List It is fictional TV, that's why.

[@fjc9251]

i totally agree with the painting of wood trim to white and cabinets. If a house I am looking at has that honey oak color and a whirlpool tub, I will stop looking and go home. I grew up in that era and then it was fine - not now. I want a fresh bright looking house and yes I love a light grey base color on the walls - no beige, brass, gold for me. I love a cool color pallette. greys, blues, brushed nickel, some matte black - yes I will keep looking at that house to buy. I love the before after pics and yes - many things to do in that house you showed.

[@abbibrannan333]

Designer tip for the Kit. reno. is to take out the black switch plate covers for white to blend with the tile and not to stand out the way that they do in the photo. Switch plates also come in paintable, and can be painted to actually match very well. But they are not a decor item as those homeowners were making them?

[@NdnUrbanCat]

I appreciate your expertise and honesty.❤❤❤

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you!!

[@61jrsmith]

Thanks for sharing this valuable information.

[@Miz-Newsy]

Absolutely got to get husband on board! He agrees!! But I staged our last home that we got a full price offer on, and he was shocked.

[@paulabears7882]

I love your decorating. I have almost as much Christmas decor. Twenty two theme trees, from blown german glass to beanie babies.
Two things... like stair molding painted better, it shows more detail
I have lived all over US and world. Have many collections I dearly love. I struggle to have them around in beautiful displays. Mostly default to shelves or cabinets which are kinda dull. Lotsa smalls not so much in furniture. Help!
Currently live in Alaska, I know mogies!

[@MsBlueHand]

As a buyer, wall to wall carpet reads to me as dusty and allergen ridden. I would always pull it out.

[@sherirottweilersforever7772]

I’m staining my 1000square foot deck this week after work. It looks so good it makes me happy.

[@sw6118]

As long as the hard wood floor can be refinished again it’s okay to display it. But never make a representation that the wood can be redone. Let buyer and their inspector decide if the wood is thick enough to be refinished.
You can’t always paint over a grainy oak and have it look nice.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yes. My pictures were virtual. A bit tough to show how great they could really look.

[@cindykruse3993]

Recently, I have seen homes that have the trim painted the same color as the room. Rather than have all trim work the same color throughout the home. Is this something that is trending or something that should not be done?

[@nadiacoffey2609]

I think cabinet doors that have that arch on top look dated even if they are painted. One thing that isn’t hard to do is painting the cabinet boxes and just replacing the doors with a more modern door style and painting them to match with new hardware and voila, new kitchen. One thing to know is that two tone cabinets is actually a very trendy thing to do, with light uppers and darker lowers. It can look really cool.

[@RioGirl16]

I agree with you on everything 💯

[@jobielifehappens7102]

You are my fav real estate content creator!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Awwww… really?? You made my day!!

[@memelc5655]

Thanks to hgtv everyone thinks they’re home decorators. You’re talking to the masses. Good luck. I’ve seen so many horrible “decorated” homes I can only see all the undoing I would have to do.

[@cherylswindells3845]

Excellent video 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you!!

[@rhondalouise332]

I have had old stainless steel appliances and I now have new ones. I hate them. They are as cold as a mausoleum. My husband loves them, and he is a better cook than I am, so he won.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Looks like your husband's cooking skills won the stainless steel battle! Maybe you can sneak in some warm colors to balance out the cold vibes.

[@dorothymitton7602]

They should have the cupboards professionally done not white but a light, light beig

[@bettysmith4527]

Ugh, how do you deal with the emotions? I was going to put my house on the market and about to sign a P and S for a new townhome, but I legit just cannot do it, I really cannot let go of my current house!! Do you experience buyers with this issue a lot?! I guess I am going to wait another year or so to see how I feel?!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Moving traumatic. I always say that. And… homes are meant to be. Whatever you choose is the right path. I firmly believe that homes are waiting for their new owners. And you will find your true place. I didn’t think I’d be able to leave my previous home. But I did. And now am very happy. It will all be whatever it’s supposed to be

[@ndgrandma1818]

It’s ok if you’re attached to your home, if you can stay there! If you’re attached and have to move, take pictures of all your parts of your house for your memories and be thankful for all the good times there. But trust me, I think you will be just fine in a new and different place! People move all the time and adjust sooner or later! I am the opposite type! We have lived in 8 different homes in our almost 50 years of marriage. In the last 41 years, we have lived in 5 different houses in the same town, simply because I would get bored after 5-7 years in one place, and want to move. My hubby was a good sport and always went along with my escapades! We had fun remodeling a few of the houses and built two, the last one was custom and we have been here the longest we’ve ever been anywhere- almost 14 years…. I’m always looking at real estate, though, and dreaming of our next adventure! Our home is where we are together and each place we made memories to last a lifetime! ❤

[@bettysmith4527]

@@ndgrandma1818 Thank you for the helpful info, Kati as well. Ultimately I have chosen to stay put for now, as I do not want to make a regrettable mistake, since I cannot ask for my house back once it is sold. The townhomes I am looking at are brand new and they will be building them for at least another 2-3 years, as it is a larger complex, so I can take another year, even two to decide. I am not sure if living in an attached to someone else type of place is going to be for me either, and am honestly thinking of moving out of state for a whole new start and change of scenery!! Thanks again to both of you!

[@prayonkreutz2398]

Do you think any of these things might affect your bank appraisal?? We manicured our house for the appraisal, I believe it really helped, the appraisal came in over asking price & the buyer was ecstatic that they had move in equity. My husband Said that we did to good of a job lol

[@sharontraywick6873]

I know from experience that appraisers notice those things.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yes. They look at material defects along with the big-ticket items. Having your home in good condition with sufficient comparable properties will only help you. Thanks for watching!

[@user-hm5zb1qn6g]

after I paint the floor-to-ceiling bookcase I have to replace all my real books with fake books with dark dust covers?

[@JJ33438]

thank you so much.

[@KatiSpaniak]

You're welcome!

[@debblouin]

I have recommended spending around 3% of the home’s value on staging and updating. Maybe less on a lower value home-say 1-2%.
This investment should not include necessary deferred maintenance or infrastructure upgrades.

[@KatiSpaniak]

I completely understand that. Keep up to date on the home so you aren't throwing all of your money in at the last minute. Thanks for commenting!

[@abbibrannan333]

Dear Katy, Personally I never liked freestanding tubs or pedestal sinks either. It is hard, nearly impossible to clean the floor under and behind a freestanding tub, doesn't anybody think about that? Also cosmetics, soaps, lotions, other sundries and medicines need to have a home in a cabinet, therefore the sink needs to have a cabinet. It is pure logic of form follows function, pedestal sinks make no sense what so ever, in my opinion. Love your videos and am learning from them, Thank You!

[@KatiSpaniak]

I'm glad you enjoy my videos and find them helpful! Your support means a lot to me.

[@beachprepper566]

I also have a cathedral ceiling. Is it bad to have so much empty space on the wall behind the sofa?

[@vintagevisionsales]

Painting kitchen cabinets never worked well for me.

[@JamieM470]

Painting trim (and doors) can be a great update......unless it's a historical home with mahogany or quarter sawn oak and irreplaceable wooden detail work.
I've seen Craftsman and Victorian homes like that utterly destroyed by soaking paint into all that gorgeous woodgrain, and it's actually upsetting to see. People turn breathtaking craftsmanship (that no longer exists) of naturally beautiful wood into a snow-blindness-inducing "updated look" that looks like a new cheap build of drywall with primer on it. It's a shame. And it's an automatic pass for me.

[@tmusa2002]

I have a 126-year-old farmhouse and I have stripped 5-6 coats of paint off gorgeous 5-panel pine doors. They are my favorite thing about my house. I LOVE to uncover the wood and imagine when it was new. Those doors are like brand new, so flawless. Someday somebody will paint them, then somebody will strip them again. What I hate more is when the house gets gutted and there’s some cheap Home Depot trim and doors in place. 😭

[@janicetribbiani7535]

Also making sure the correct prep work and paint is used. The previous owners of my house painted over all the stained wood trim with a latex paint and it’s peeling off in big sheets. I could scream. Every Single Piece of Wood!

[@tmusa2002]

@@janicetribbiani7535 I had the same thing happening in my house.

[@robertawitty1533]

I tried to buy the paint samples and it says they don’t ship to my location in Connecticut. Isn’t that weird!?!?

[@KatiSpaniak]

What?? Really? Let me check on that

[@robertawitty1533]

I was trying to buy a sample that isn’t in your list. Maybe that’s why?

[@13mainstreet18]

The painted cabinets and spindles look terrible. I think the black spindles and rich wood cabinets look good. The Island needs a serious makeover.

[@sheilarae354]

I like the wood cabinets
I would just leave, paint looks cheap

[@angelaberni8873]

I cant believe how stupid people can be whilst viewing a house. You will hear comments such as " oh i don't like those curtains " or i don't like their furniture 😂😂😂. They cannot see beyond other people's stuff ,when in fact that " stuff " will be gone with the seller. People realy are drips 😂😂. When buying ,these are the things you need to concentrate on. 1) Location, location, location. 2) The floor plan of the house. Does it work for you !!! 3) The construction of the house. Is it cheap or a quality build !!! As no amount of paint or decorating will add to the cheapness of the build.4) look for cracks and subsidence . These are the main important things to look out look. But i do agree with what she is saying,as so many people are ignorant that they look at other people's decorating instead of the important factors😂😂😂😂 and PLEASE, PLEASE put that TOILET lid DOWN !!!!!!!!!!

[@robynidyllwild6755]

So I live in a mountain community and as such we have a lot of wood, including tongue and groove. So would I paint that? Also I would like to update my brick on my two fireplaces. I am thinking about painting it white? Maybe your next video would be about updating those fireplaces? Thanks I enjoy you!!

[@KatiSpaniak]

No. Probably not. I would definitely get an agent to come out and give you advice. You might destroy the character of the home. 🏠

[@leashgang1]

Leave the cabinets, but ditch the backsplash

[@tammyrussell-rice5508]

Most Sellers go "blind" over time when it comes to their own homes. Before listing a home, Sellers should go see 'Model Homes' in their area. It will be an eye-opener! At the very least, it will let them know what they are up against.
PS - Love ya, but Roman and Wood Shades are not Valances. Valances definitely are dated.

[@diost872]

AMEN to the "men". He has also decided what the listing price should be, and doesn't want to pay the realtor the 3% fee either. He won't win this one ;-)

[@zunis-adventures]

I was playing a guessing game for every room and i gussed all correctly. It was easy, paint wood white, paint wood white, paint wood white... the recommendations are as mundane as the buyers these days.

[@cynthiamackenzie2273]

How does someone reach you

[@KatiSpaniak]

bit.ly/QuestionsForKati
Or join our Facebook group. Link in the description

[@twobees1860]

Since when did realtors become interior designers?

[@caroljohnson99]

Please describe how to find the paint colors you recommend. “down below” isn’t helping. Thank-you very much! 🌹

[@KatiSpaniak]

Click here: bit.ly/KatisPaintColors
It in the description.
But hope this helps!

[@hannahdeforest9148]

7:57 This looks absolutely atrocious. The three colors of wood in the doors, floor, a and dresser clash in a puke-worthy way. 🤢🤮
If you painted the doors, it would have been fine, since the dark colors in the dresser wood would play off the grey wood floor.

[@_papad8434]

That house was totally 80s.

[@mskimber101]

Katie, I really enjoy hearing your expertise and love so many of the ideas you share. I wonder if upgrading the decor behind you in your videos wouldn’t lend a greater bit of credibility to your comments? Not to be unkind, but the items directly behind you look kinda like “thrift store finds”… they just don’t match the message you’re conveying. Thanks!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks for the comment. Honestly everything behind me means something. My audience connects with me and my realness. Do I think it’s stylized? No. Not really. But I’m also not moving. Will I update it eventually? For sure. 👍

[@user-le2yl5wh6d]

You mean I have to get rid of my "sofa sized" art?

[@thevintagebelle]

I respectively disagree with taking up a Rug that is on hardwood Flooring... it feels odd - and cold - to not have something " soft " underfoot.... it grounds the furnishings and helps make a room feel more inviting. I PREFER painted wood, because it is easier to care for and wood is noce...except for most of the colours of wood. I DETEST that orange-y colour Wood ...ugghhh.

[@lizdavies264]

Stay well clear of berber, it attracts carpet moths

[@TomWakeman-ul7om]

None empty the house of furniture as much as possible clean well, did nothing she is saying sold my house as is in 2023 in to week. Set your price by yourself before the BS real estate agents try to sucker you the person buying your house is going to paint redo flooring why waste money.

[@donnacarraway9182]

I personally wouldn’t trust you because you’re not disclosing that realtors who refer other realtors very very very often get money in their own pocket for doing that. Also I didn’t see any disclosure of what you do with people’s information that you collect. If I can’t trust you with these basic things, how could I possibly trust you with my house sale whether I agree or disagree with your style advice???

[@hollysheen6865]

I wish you would change the name of your channel. I can never find you. :)

[@KatiSpaniak]

Suggestion? And are you subscribed?

[@alvashoemaker8536]

ACTUALLY…is there ANY way you can use LESS…TALKING; your speech was SO…DISTRACTING…(maybe I’m NOT like your “general” public…. 😑‼️

[@milonovacek7463]

how did this turn into all this bull shit the lying realtor game !!! all this bull shit did not exist just 4-5 years ago

[@paul2011jones]

Hi Kati, I can't find the link to the Facbook group you mentioned.Please help. Thanks

[@KatiSpaniak]

Here you go! bit.ly/profitablehomeowners57