By Glenda Millette
If you are selling your house now....staging is a critical part; the days of a house being on the market one day are no longer here. It takes some work to put your house at the top of the market. I have helped many people get ready to sell their houses. We will discuss a few sure killers to a sale; they are environmental smells, not having a spotlessly clean house and too many pet odors.
Let's just dive in and start with the number one problem. Everyone needs to walk into your house and it must smell like a breath of fresh air or at least neutral. An awful smelling house is a huge turn off. Without a doubt it will turn more people off the minute they walk in, remember you only have a few seconds to make that first impression. Some houses I've worked with you could smell the odors outside, many people did not even walk in....true story. I pull no punches when a house smells bad. I do nothing until we get the smell issue resolved. We do not start staging until we understand and resolve the bad odors, usually it doesn't take long.
The second non negotiable issue when I stage your house. It has to be...must be...at all costs be...CLEAN SPOTLESSLY CLEAN, remember the white glove test in the commercials. Your entire house has to pass the white glove test. A house can never be too clean. Don't forget the closets; de-cluttering it is the most effective way to organize. Spend some money and get your house professional cleaned, it will help you create the affect you want.
Everyone loves Fido; he is a part of the family. But, not everyone likes critters; I know that is unbelievable, but true. Some people have very serious allergies to animals, and will run away from a house that smells like pet odor. You live there every day and have gotten use to smelling Fido. Ask for help here, do not ask a friend, they mostly likely will not be completely truthful. They also love Fido. Again get professional help with getting rid of ALL pet odors, this is a huge problem. Make your home friendly to everyone who walks in your door, it will pay off with a quicker sale.
By doing these things, you will create a space more people can see themselves living...and it will increase profit. When you get the smells and cleaning resolved the staging will be very effective. I have had years of experience and work with all phases of the staging process.
Please join me for more information on low cost design options. You will find design ideas ready to start using right away. Designing a room can be a lot of fun when you have the right help. http://GlendaMillette.com
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Friday, December 24, 2021
Home Staging - Proven to Help Homes Sell Faster For More
By Jennifer Wezensky
With more than 2.1 million foreclosed homes already this year and a 9.9 percent unemployment rate, the outlook is still a bit grim. For homeowners who just can't come up with the mortgage every month, selling may be the only option. Their homes very likely are worth less than what they paid. Now their backs are against a wall and they have to sell for the best price.
With little, if anything, to spend on home improvement to get a better price, the seller can improve the home's appeal with some home staging techniques recommended by decorating pros. Some of these pros say that the return on investment for home staging can be between 200 and 500 percent, and the home may sell up to 35 percent faster.
According to the Home Buying Institute, staging a home for sale normally involves things of an aesthetic nature, such as design, organization and overall appearance - not mechanical or functional improvements.
There are some easy, inexpensive ways to stage a home for sale without a big expense:
De-personalize and de-clutter. Eliminate distractions. One of the biggest mistakes home sellers make is expecting that potential buyers will recognize the value of the home despite the personal belongings. Buyers want to be able to see themselves in the home. If they are distracted by knick knacks and excessive family photos, they have a more difficult time visualizing their family in it.
Simply rearranging your cupboards and closets can help. You may think that what is behind closed doors stays behind closed doors, but not to potential buyers. Many people will look in cupboards and closets simply to see how much storage space is available. By arranging your belongings you will create a more inviting feel, which can easily equate to a more comfortable living space.
Make necessary home repairs. Buyers will notice cracks in paint and tile. A leaky faucet could easily turn a buyer off. Spice up your home with easy and inexpensive renovations. If you have a hard time pin pointing potential problems, ask an objective third party. It is unlikely that a serious bidder will not ask for necessary home improvements.
It's important to create a clean, neat atmosphere. There is a laundry list of cleaning that should be done from window washing to re-caulking. Waxing floors, dusting cobwebs, and putting up decorative towels are simple yet crucial to creating a desirable appearance to your home.
Staging does not have to be expensive, but it does have to follow some guidelines. A vacant home leaves very little to the imagination. Adding the right amount of décor can create the atmosphere of the perfect home. Proper staging will make small rooms look large and awkward rooms look like the perfect niche. Keeping your home light with neutral tones will appeal to more buyers than dark colors. Add hints of color and excitement with primary colored throw pillow or a vibrant bouquet of flowers. Do not try to get too eccentric; you may make certain buyers uncomfortable.
Platinum author Jennifer Wezensky is editor of BudgetDecoratingOnline.com, the one-stop resource for how to decorate on any budget. She leads a team of interior decorators to offer tips, trends and ideas for the budget decorator. Wezensky also creator of the popular Facebook page, Decorating on a Dime.
With more than 2.1 million foreclosed homes already this year and a 9.9 percent unemployment rate, the outlook is still a bit grim. For homeowners who just can't come up with the mortgage every month, selling may be the only option. Their homes very likely are worth less than what they paid. Now their backs are against a wall and they have to sell for the best price.
With little, if anything, to spend on home improvement to get a better price, the seller can improve the home's appeal with some home staging techniques recommended by decorating pros. Some of these pros say that the return on investment for home staging can be between 200 and 500 percent, and the home may sell up to 35 percent faster.
According to the Home Buying Institute, staging a home for sale normally involves things of an aesthetic nature, such as design, organization and overall appearance - not mechanical or functional improvements.
There are some easy, inexpensive ways to stage a home for sale without a big expense:
De-personalize and de-clutter. Eliminate distractions. One of the biggest mistakes home sellers make is expecting that potential buyers will recognize the value of the home despite the personal belongings. Buyers want to be able to see themselves in the home. If they are distracted by knick knacks and excessive family photos, they have a more difficult time visualizing their family in it.
Simply rearranging your cupboards and closets can help. You may think that what is behind closed doors stays behind closed doors, but not to potential buyers. Many people will look in cupboards and closets simply to see how much storage space is available. By arranging your belongings you will create a more inviting feel, which can easily equate to a more comfortable living space.
Make necessary home repairs. Buyers will notice cracks in paint and tile. A leaky faucet could easily turn a buyer off. Spice up your home with easy and inexpensive renovations. If you have a hard time pin pointing potential problems, ask an objective third party. It is unlikely that a serious bidder will not ask for necessary home improvements.
It's important to create a clean, neat atmosphere. There is a laundry list of cleaning that should be done from window washing to re-caulking. Waxing floors, dusting cobwebs, and putting up decorative towels are simple yet crucial to creating a desirable appearance to your home.
Staging does not have to be expensive, but it does have to follow some guidelines. A vacant home leaves very little to the imagination. Adding the right amount of décor can create the atmosphere of the perfect home. Proper staging will make small rooms look large and awkward rooms look like the perfect niche. Keeping your home light with neutral tones will appeal to more buyers than dark colors. Add hints of color and excitement with primary colored throw pillow or a vibrant bouquet of flowers. Do not try to get too eccentric; you may make certain buyers uncomfortable.
Platinum author Jennifer Wezensky is editor of BudgetDecoratingOnline.com, the one-stop resource for how to decorate on any budget. She leads a team of interior decorators to offer tips, trends and ideas for the budget decorator. Wezensky also creator of the popular Facebook page, Decorating on a Dime.
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Insider Home Staging Tips From a Former Realtor
By Alex Devonish
Staging your home for sale can make a huge difference, both in the price you ultimately receive for your home and in finding the right buyers more quickly.
Staging your house means setting it up to show in the best light possible, before you put your home on the market. One thing to remember is that the way you've lived in your home is not necessarily the same way you want it to show to prospective buyers. Buyers are not interested in your hobbies, your kids' toys, nor your eccentric (but appealing to you) color schemes. Buyers want to see neutral decor, a welcoming atmosphere and a clean, problem-free house they can picture calling home. If the buyer's Realtor has done their job, they will be bringing only qualified buyers (who are pre-approved for an appropriate mortgage, want the number of bedrooms and neighborhood you live in, etc.), and thus your job is to make your home stand out in the buyers' eyes as the one to go for.
There are many ways to accomplish this, and in truth many Realtors don't always bring the right buyers to the right houses, so you are looking to make a great impression on that perfect-for-your-home purchaser when they walk in your door. Here are a couple of tips:
Paint: Make sure everything is neutral. As much as it may pain you, those coral walls you love will not appeal to the majority of buyers, and investing a weekend and some money into some paint will pay off, big time (or hire a painter). Choose neutral colors such as stone, grey or a warm off-white - never stark white as that creates too sterile of an atmosphere. Check existing paint on the exterior and interior, ensuring it is not peeling or in need of a touch-up, and also check all walls and doors, paying special attention to areas where hands have been touching such as near light switches and door handles. Clean as necessary - it only takes a wipe with some cleaner.
Focal Points: Every home has good points and bad points, and as the current resident you know them best. Ensure your visitors are drawn to the best features of your home by making them focal points. For instance, if you have a beautiful bay window, keep it clear of curtains and furniture so it can be in full view when the buyers walk in. Be sure the window panes are sparkling clean, add a touch of warm light with a lamp nearby (for the view from the outside), and make the outside view as pleasant as possible by keeping your yard clean and possibly adding a plant or two within view.
Find many more tips for staging your home for sale at HomeResource.ca.
Alex Devonish writes about strategic thinking chess ideas and more for niche clients.
Staging your home for sale can make a huge difference, both in the price you ultimately receive for your home and in finding the right buyers more quickly.
Staging your house means setting it up to show in the best light possible, before you put your home on the market. One thing to remember is that the way you've lived in your home is not necessarily the same way you want it to show to prospective buyers. Buyers are not interested in your hobbies, your kids' toys, nor your eccentric (but appealing to you) color schemes. Buyers want to see neutral decor, a welcoming atmosphere and a clean, problem-free house they can picture calling home. If the buyer's Realtor has done their job, they will be bringing only qualified buyers (who are pre-approved for an appropriate mortgage, want the number of bedrooms and neighborhood you live in, etc.), and thus your job is to make your home stand out in the buyers' eyes as the one to go for.
There are many ways to accomplish this, and in truth many Realtors don't always bring the right buyers to the right houses, so you are looking to make a great impression on that perfect-for-your-home purchaser when they walk in your door. Here are a couple of tips:
Paint: Make sure everything is neutral. As much as it may pain you, those coral walls you love will not appeal to the majority of buyers, and investing a weekend and some money into some paint will pay off, big time (or hire a painter). Choose neutral colors such as stone, grey or a warm off-white - never stark white as that creates too sterile of an atmosphere. Check existing paint on the exterior and interior, ensuring it is not peeling or in need of a touch-up, and also check all walls and doors, paying special attention to areas where hands have been touching such as near light switches and door handles. Clean as necessary - it only takes a wipe with some cleaner.
Focal Points: Every home has good points and bad points, and as the current resident you know them best. Ensure your visitors are drawn to the best features of your home by making them focal points. For instance, if you have a beautiful bay window, keep it clear of curtains and furniture so it can be in full view when the buyers walk in. Be sure the window panes are sparkling clean, add a touch of warm light with a lamp nearby (for the view from the outside), and make the outside view as pleasant as possible by keeping your yard clean and possibly adding a plant or two within view.
Find many more tips for staging your home for sale at HomeResource.ca.
Alex Devonish writes about strategic thinking chess ideas and more for niche clients.
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