The way you live in a home and the way you sell your
house are two very different things!..
Your house is probably your biggest asset; selling it can be one of the
most important decisions in your life.
If you want to ensure your house sells fast and for top dollar consider
a new idea…“Home Staging®” or “Preparing a Home for Sale”.
When you list a house for sale it becomes a product. Just like other
commodities for sale, your house must be seen in order for it to SELL.
To sell quickly, it needs to stand out from similar products in the
marketplace. Staging® a property is a smart investment, sends the
message of a well cared for home.
By creating a series of first impressions, & showcasing your home’s best
features, the buyer connects emotionally & is able to visualize living
there.
Why is staging® important to sellers?
Today’s buyer is interested in moving into a home that does not require
any “move-in repairs”. They do not want to patch or paint the inside or
do landscaping on the outside. Today’s buyer is busy, usually
two-income, needing to quickly get on with their lives. Smart buyers
look for a house that is “move in ready” in all aspects; a staged® home
is just that. When the house is staged®, the realtor has the option to
put a “staged home” sign under the FOR SALE sign. A savvy buyer will ask
to see a staged home first, knowing that it will show best, saving time
and effort.
Generally, when buyers arrive to view a property, they have established
it meets their basic criteria. Staging the house creates a series of
great impressions throughout the home, motivating the buyer to linger;
move in-not on!
What is the ultimate goal of staging®? What feeling should be conveyed?
Why is it important to stage® both the inside and outside of the home?
The ultimate goal of staging®, is to place the home in the best showcase
condition, so it sells at the best possible price in the shortest
possible time.
The feeling to convey is de-personalized & de-cluttered, so the
potential buyer can see the house and its features, not the current
homeowners “stuff”; the best view of each room, the best traffic pattern
through the home, the best curb appeal. Any realtor will tell you there
are times when a potential buyer will not even get out of the car just
because of the impression made by the outside. Staging includes curb
appeal suggestions. The buyer needs to feel she is at home, not in your
home.
A certified Staging® Professional™, or a realtor with the accreditation
(ASP) has the best interest of the homeowner in mind, wanting to have
the home showcase at its best & providing an objective opinion.
Often the difficult part of selling a home is establishing or agreeing
to a sale price. Pricing a home is emotional; many sellers want the
price to reflect personal memories and values.
Memories, however, don’t qualify as a feature but appealing to a buyer’s
emotions will make a difference.
Buyers only know what they see, not the way it’s going to be!
Looking at your house with the eyes of a buyer is the first step to
objectivity. The marketplace will determine the price range your house
is in; by staging® your home YOU are determining where your house falls
in that range. The most critical timeframe for selling your property is
the first 30days, because the first 2 weeks generates a flurry of
activity. That is when curiosity is piqued, interest is generated,
brokers & agents tour. If your property is overpriced, it will quickly
becomes shop worn, people begin to think there is something wrong with
it….they might look but they don’t buy.
What kind of experience do you want to have 30 days from now? Do you
want to have your house sitting on the market or do you want to be
getting on with your life?
With technology buyers can quickly find out what is on the market, how
much its listed or sold for, even before they contact an agent…..and
they will be comparing your house with them. Remember the consumer
always wants the best product that meets their needs, at the best price.
Isn’t that what you always want? The true value of a home is the price
a buyer is willing to pay to gain ownership of it.
Price, Location and Condition are three of the most important
ingredients for a successful sale. In order for a house to sell, the
list price must be in direct relationship to the other ingredients. If
just one of those ingredients is off balance, the property will take
longer to sell & the $$$ amount will be less. If your home is less than
ready to sell and you don’t see the need to “prepare it for sale” don’t
be disappointed when an offer comes in at less than you hoped for.
Tips for Selling
Ø Play music every day; you never know when a showing may occur.
Ø Involve the family…everyone help to keep the house “picked up” & ready
to show.
Ø Before all showings open window coverings, turn on lights, keep garage
doors and toilet seats down!
Ø Allow potential buyers privacy to view your home; go for a walk, leave
or work in the yard.
Ø Put jewelry and valuables in a safety deposit box to avoid theft.
(935)
Christine Rae ASP,CASPT, CIR,CIM, P.Mgr is Owner of Decorating
Solutions.ca in St. Catharines. Staging® is a federally registered
trademark of Stagedhomes.com
Christine Rae, ASP of Decorating Solutions
Read another home staging article...
Does Your Home Attract Potential Buyers?
The process begins at curbside to make the necessary adjustments in
playing up the homes strengths. Next the interior is transformed so that
the home shows it’s absolute best.
