Is staging a necessity? The smart answer is that it is not only a necessity it is vital in today’s buyers market. Many buyers cannot envision how a property can be decorated or used, but when a home is beautifully staged buyers perceive a higher value to that property. In fact the website HomeGain conducted a survey that found that home staging resulted, on average, in a $1,780 price increase.
A few staging tips:
Start at the Curb – At a minimum, lawns should be freshly mowed, flowerbeds clean and adding some color is increases curb appeal. Freshening up the door area where buyers will wait while an agent opens the door is your true first impression to sell an interested buyer.
Get Rid of Clutter – Pick one closet, room or area at a time and critically scrutinize each item. Forget hanging onto items for a garage sale just pick a favorite charity and donate it – it will save time and energy that you can focus on preparing your home to sell. If spaces still look cramped, start prepacking and storing the additional items.
Watch where your eye goes – Concentrate where your eyes go when you enter a space. If the eye is drawn to the chipped paint on the door then repair it. If you see the sloppy paint job you always meant to touch up do it.
Clean, clean and clean it again – We all realize that our homes may not be spotless in our day to day lives, but when it comes to selling clean is expected and will give you the most return for your time and money. Again go room by room or hire cleaners for a day to get the final white glove clean including those baseboards.
Bring in fresh eyes and/or a professional – call up your friend, you know the one that will be brutally honest with you. You can also always contact a real estate agent that knows the market and how to position your home to sell it (not just list it). As a real estate agents, The Marr Team can give tips on staging basics; but when needed our sellers are offered a complementary 2-hour staging consultation with a professional stager to get your home ready to compete in the real estate beauty contest.
The way we live in a home is emensely different than how we must setup a home to sell – I know it took me three months to do all those little things done around the house, get rid of the clutter and get it staged, but when it sells in only 19 days with multiple offers it is worth the extra time! Let us get you ready to go on the market – call us today even if it may be a few months until you are ready to sell. We can advise you on what repairs, upgrades or preparations will get you the most money for your efforts.