Staging – Higher Price and a Faster Sale

STAGING… FOR A FASTER SALE AND HIGHER PRICE

There   are many television shows today that focus on home staging. If you have not   watched any, do yourself a favor and tune in. They all say the same thing: do   not even consider putting your house on the market until you have taken a   close look at its condition. Experienced sales people know that you only have   one shot at impressing potential buyers, so take some time to prepare your   home for showings. You will be rewarded with a faster sale and a higher   offer.

Start with the Basics

• Everything from floors to windows must be spotless. Remember to clean   the oven and other major appliances.
• Skylights   should be crystal-clear, too.
• Kill the   offensive odors. They’re the first thing buyers notice, and often a permanent   turnoff.
• Eliminate   clutter.
• Put away   small kitchen appliances and other items that are sitting on countertops and   tables.
• Remove   photographs from table-tops.
• Organize   the closets.

Outside Tasks

• Clean the   drain gutters. Buyers almost always comment if gutters are full of leaves and   it makes them question other maintenance issues.
• Store or   organize items that make the yard look messy.
• Make your   front entry inviting. Decorate it, paint the door or buy a new door. It’s the   first look at your house, so make it a good one.

Tips for Vacant Homes   Vacant homes often greet Real Estate Sales Representatives and home buyers   with a blast of stale or mildew-laden air. As soon as buyers smell mildew,   they are out the door. Deal with the mildew before you list the house.     Have you ever noticed that during colder months the interior of a house   without heat always feels colder than it is outside? Leaving the heat or air   conditioning running while a home is on the market reduces odors and makes   the house more inviting. Keep the lawn and landscaping tidy, even if you have   to hire someone to do it.

Don’t Take it Personally   The first step is to separate yourself from any personal feelings you may   have about your home. It’s not your home now; it’s a commodity you intend to   market. As the seller, you must trust your own instincts. Try to evaluate   your house as if you are seeing it for the first time.     If you were a home buyer, what would you think about the house?     What changes would make immediate improvements?     What are the home’s best features and how can you show them off?     How about a look that says “comfort” or a popular decorating theme,   such as the vintage, casual look of Shabby Chic.

Create a Mood   Is there a mood that you’d like to create? If you’re near water, how about   breezy fabrics and blue-green colors that remind us of the beach? If you’re   in the mountains, perhaps you could go rustic. Study the house, brainstorm,   and speak to your friends or family members about possible ideas.

Pack It Up   Pack away most of your family photos. Buyers should be able to imagine their   own possessions in the home. When home buyers start deciding how their   furniture will fit into your rooms, you’re on your way to a contract.   Pack up the bulk of large, personal collections, so that buyers don’t get so   distracted by them that they forget to look at the house.

Make It More Spacious   Remove excess furniture to make rooms appear more spacious.     Clean and organize the closets.     Store boxes in an out of the way location or rent a temporary storage unit so   you can de-clutter every part of the house.

Expose Desirable Features   Remove rugs if they’re covering up nice hardwood floors.     Remove heavy drapes that keep out natural light, especially if there’s a   great view out the windows.

Add Some Life   Living (not artificial) plants go hand-in-hand with nearly any home staging   theme.

Freshen Up   How about a coat of fresh paint? Are walls in the house dingy? Are the   colours dated? Should you clean curtains or other window ornaments?

Create a Mood   Bake bread during showings, or place a fresh loaf in a basket on the counter   to create a warm and homey atmosphere.     Classical music playing softly in the background is nice, but choose   something that enhances the mood you are trying to create. For example, in   the Blue Ridge Mountains, locals and out of town buyers react positively to   Appalachian folk music playing softly in the background.

Essential Curb Appeal   In addition to keeping the lawn nicely trimmed, there are other elements you   can add to grab a buyer’s attention before they walk in the door:

• Use   outdoor lighting. It does wonders in the evenings when many homebuyers do   drive-bys of properties.
• Buy an   attractive doorknob set.
• Sweep the   driveway; pressure wash the house or sidewalks if necessary.
• Enhance   landscaping.     A great overall impression is often enough to make a buyer more lenient about   minor repairs that may be required. You want them to fall in love with the   house as soon as they see it from the street.