BUYING AND SELLING KNOW HOW


TO STAGE OR NOT TO STAGE?

"Out of clutter, find simplicity"
-Albert Einstein

Have you been watching all those new TV shows like "House Doctor", "Buy Me", "Designed to Sell", "Sell This House" and others? Have you been noticing news stories about Home Staging and Real Estate Merchandising and wonder what it's all about - well it is all about preparing your house for sale by making it look the best it can be.

By definition - Staging or Home Staging is the term used to describe the detailed preparation of a home prior to placing it on the market.  It's a proven strategy used by smart homeowners to sell their homes faster and for more money, regardless of location, condition, or price range. 

When you get ready to place a home on the market it becomes a product, and just like any product on the shelves at your local store it has features and benefits, pluses and minuses, and there are other products to compete with. To be the best in your marketplace you must be priced right and look better than the competition. Sometimes it’s difficult to think of a home as a product, but it helps to think that way so that you can get top dollar for your property and sell it in a reasonable amount of time.

When you sell your home you’re going to have to move. When you move you’re going to have to pack. Most of the principles of Home Staging just mean that you’re going to pack up some of your things early. It’s a little bit of work, but you’re going to have to do it anyway, so let’s do it now so you can get top dollar for your property.

GENERAL COMMENTS:

    • In every room…stand in the doorway and look at the room through the eyes of a buyer. What do you see?
    • Be tough on yourself: What can you live without while your home is on the market?
    • “Buyers only know what they see…Not the way it’s going to be!” So make them see the very best your home has to offer.
    • Check all light fixtures. Are they working properly? Replace all burned out light bulbs.
    • Make sure there are lamps with adequate lighting in all corners.
    • Repair and repaint cracks on all walls and ceilings.
    • Repair or replace broken light switches and switch plates. Clean any dirty areas around them
    • Keep all curtains and blinds open during the day to let in light and highlight views.
    • Reduce the number of pillows on couches to zero or two. Remove all afghans and blankets.
    • Make sure the house is CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN

For a complete list of Staging "Tips and Tricks" contact Elizabeth Berghuis - elizabeth@nl.rogers.com

 

 

Remember - “Buyers only know what they see…not the way it’s going to be!”