Advice to Sellers - Staging your home really helps it sell!
Last week was really a 'visual' week in extremes. My one post entitled 'The glamorous job of a Realtor©' tried to show you the kinds of homes that we might see during the course of showing or on listing appointments. One of the things that I desperately try to point out to sellers is the competition that is currently on the market in our area. When I do a listing appointment I come armed with how many homes are in a particular price range, absorption rates for your city and a game plan to get you sold quickly and on your way to your new home!
What's the most overlooked piece of advice? Staging your home. If you are already rolling your eyes and starting to whine in your head - 'But Lyn, my home is nice right now'. 'But Lyn, I have to live here ya know'. I've got news for you, buyers don't care about what you think. They want to purchase a home that looks great, smells great and has the best price!
So, where do you fit in? Where do you want to fit in? Why would you spend time detailing your car to sell on Craigslist but not 'detail your home'? It's the same thing. You're doing it to create optimum value for the buyer.
Here's is a series of posts that I think will help you get an idea of what 'the market' is looking for and what trends can help you.
- Staging is not a bunch of 'hooey'.
- Shiny Brass is indeed the kiss of death with buyers whether you believe it or not!
- The 'dalmatian' paint job! Make sure you don't do this.
- Five keys to a successful sale!
- Can I do anything with 100 bucks?
- Seller finally fesses up about ugly wallpaper!
- Yes, I'm asking that you clean the stove - is that a problem?
- Is that your refrigerator?
- Mr. Seller I tried to help you!
- Mr. Seller - please unwrap your walls!
- It better 'Shine'
All these photos are from successfully closed homes or staged homes on the market now! These are real homes in the Schaumburg area!
Lyn,
Great tips, absolutely, especially since it opens up the imagination of buyers as to how the house can be used, nice work!
Love the before and after photos and yes, staging does work!
Excellent examples of staged homes, Lyn. It still amazes me how many agents can't see the value in staging their listings.
Debi
Ron or Alexandra: It really makes a difference to the buyers.
Debi: You know that having great pictures is another sales tool.
I agree Lyn, staging makes such a huge difference for that first and lasting impression.
Bob: Just wanted to give examples of sellers that get it and present their homes in the best light.
Lyn,
Great Post. Thanks for sharing all of these great examples.
Matt Naumann
Lyn, I had a seller that almost fell over when I told her to sweep the floor and vacumm the carpets. I won't even repeat what she said when I told her she needed then to was the floor!
Lyn - Staging is a must and it is all in the details. Great point!
Lyn, YES stage stage stage makes all the difference in the world, DAH most don't get it... we look at magazines, TV, builders homes DO they ever show a vacant property... Have a great week
Lynn: Your right about the magazines, etc. & I've never thought about it that way before. The magazines don't have everyone's clutter everywhere!
Some people just don't want to inconvenience themselves no matter what the benefit.
I have a new construction with a difficult layout, it definitely needs to be staged when it is complete. Thanks for sharing yours.