8 Myths of Staging to Sell - Busted.

Home staging (or property styling as it's commonly known as on the Australian property scene) is really an art, not a science. One of the many things a professional home stager understands is that it's the house that's up for sale, not the home owner's bread baking ability or taste in music. So, from the sublime to the rediculous - here's 8 myths of staging to sell - busted!

1. Buyers can see past my stuff
No - they can't. 95% of house hunters shop with a 'what you see is what you get' eye. You'll be maximising your chances of a better and quicker sale if you take the time to clean out, clean up and keep your look simple.

2. Baking bread, brewing fresh coffee and playing soft music will make a buyer fall in love with my house.
Maybe once upon a time this was true - but most would-be buyers are onto that old trick. It's more likely to trigger alarm bells, with many wondering what it is you're trying to hide. Your buyers will be happy with a place that looks and smells clean.

3. I'll need to clear everything out to help buyers see themselves living here.
This is only partly true. Wall to wall family photos are distracting, as is your porcelain rooster collection. These things are best put away. But don't go overboard, otherwise you'll end up with a look that feels cold and sterile.

4. If it's an original feature - it adds value.
Sometimes yes - but often no. Generally a property built less than 50 years ago without being updated is more likely to appear dated, rather than classic.

5. My place isn't worth staging.
All homes are worth taking the time to present in a positive light to buyers. The trick to knowing where to start and what to do is in having a good idea of what buyers in your target market will expect, along with learning more about what competing properties in your area are offering.

6. Empty rooms look bigger.                                                      

This is rarely the case. Buyers will always prefer to see how a room is used and what will fit in it, rather than be left to guess. Very large rooms can also be too intimidating for some. Even borrowed furniture can help buyers get an idea of scale and give the eye something of interest to focus on.

7. Converting a bedroom into a home gym won't be a problem.
Bedrooms are one of the most valuable commodities of the 'for sale' property. Having a home gym set up in a bedroom will prompt buyers to wonder why that is. I remember once looking at a house where this was the case. When I came across the bedroom with the gym in it, I immediately began to question if a bed would even fit. Always give the rooms in your house a purpose.

8. No need to worry about wardrobes and cupboards.
Home storage is a big deal to most buyers and is surprisingly valuable. Prospective buyers will open storage cupboards in kitchens and bathrooms, so keep them tidy. Keep only what you're using on a daily or weekly basis, and pack the rest away ready for the move.

Have you got a staging myth you'd like busted? Share them with me here.

 

Donna Ross

Great Impressions Real Estate Staging

"I love helping Sydney home owners and real estate agents catch the eye of choosy buyers with their 'for sale' listings, with fast, simple and inexpensive decorating fixes."

Cape Coral FL Veterans Affairs Clinic...

Ultra Modern 1 Bedroom Apartment in Upper Bay Ridge

Habitat for Humanity of Chester County celebrates 20 years...jroosevelt@kw.com, Janice Roosevelt, Keller Williams PA & DE

A Successful Short Sale And A Black Eye For Bank Of America

A Short Sale Saga With Bank Of America  . . . .

 

 

Short Sale Saga, Success and Bank Of America LOST !!

The facts:

A short sale was started for my client with two mortgages several months ago

First Trust was with a nameless Small Bank USA from New Jersey

Second Trust with Bank Of America

We had an offer quickly and was the package was sent to both banks

Bank of America to receive $3000 for being a second trust

Small Bank USA to receive the rest after commissions and closing costs

Small Bank USA was quick to respond, they did a BPO and they knew that they better take the short sale offer.

We got an approval with a condition that Bank of America releases their lien for $3000

So far so good

My client was impressed

 

Then Bank Of  America  becomes the  spoiler. . .

 

 

After several attempts for Bank of America to acknowledge our fax. .2 MONTHS PASSED BY!

On the third month, we did not even have a negotiator assigned to our  case.

Back and forth with Small Bank USA . .making excuses for Bank of America to give us the extension to their approval

Small Bank USA was patient at first and extended their approval. . 3 times for 3 months in a row

On the  4th month they had enough!

They told me that they will foreclose the property if we did not have it close to the last extension date.

We were frantic as we finally got Bank of America to acknowledge the 7th fax we sent to them. . .and they told us that a negotiator will be contacting us.

We waited on the phone and instead of Bank of America negotiator calling us about our file. .
it was Small Bank USA

They had enough and they will proceed with the foreclosure.

A few days later. .it was foreclosed!

 

 

My client became another victim from Bank  Of America's inadequacies. . a foreclosure that did not have to happen. . .

 

 

My client was heart broken and my short sale team was too.. hours and hours on the phone. . result ZERO

We all lost. . THANK YOU BANK of AMERICA . . 

Wait. . there's justice after all. .

Small Bank USA contact us and they want us to SELL IT FOR THEM!

They like the way we have operated during the last few months and saw our efforts for our client , keeping them informed and so forth . . 

They were sorry that they had to foreclose. .
"that was the only way they can have Bank of America out of the way. ."

Small Bank USA realized that foreclosing the property was the only way to proceed.

With Bank Of America out of the way. . .they could  finally resolve it. . 

We listed the house for them and last Friday WE CLOSE and GOT PAID!

 

 

Another black eye for Bank Of America. . . .Too bad for the original homeowner. . that he was unlucky enough to get his mortgage originally from Bank of America.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clarksburg MD Homes For Sale     Germantown MD Homes For Sale   Gaithersburg MD Homes For Sale

 

Renovated 2 Bedroom Apartment on 66th Street off Ft Hamilton Parkway

Fannie Mae: Those in Foreclosure can Lease Back Their Homes

Fannie  Mae announced last week that homeowners facing foreclosure can now lease back their homes at market value for up to a year, according to the Los Angeles Times.  The move was done in part to help the company manage the next wave of foreclosures.

Not surprisingly, Fannie Mae is reeling because of the amount of foreclosures it has on in its inventory, and, as a result have had to once again turn to the U.S. Treasury for additional funds.  Last Thursday, they requested another $15 Billion from the Feds, the 4th request they've made since being taken over completely by the government, the Times reported.

 

Source: Los Angeles Times

NEW TAX CREDIT RULES: $8,000 AND $6,500

Expanded Version of Tax Credit Will Allow More Homebuyers to Qualify

45% Tax rate in addition to 17% unemployment under Pelosi's Tax and spend bill...Are you able to feed your family?

Democrats have always been known for their tax & spend stance while they rape the American people into oblivion with their invasive, excessive, intrusive mandates and exempt themselves.  NICE OF THEM HUH?  You did know that our politicians including the commander in chief have exempted themselves right?  Well they have!

Health care has its flaws but this bill is NO CURE, It's a CANCER TO AMERICA!  The actual rates of unemployment are stated to be 10.2% however the actual rates are over 17% when considering the folks who no longer receive benefits and still have not found a sustainable job.

What is the ripple effect of the current economy?  The current real estate market has touted an increase in sales and yes that is true but what sales are really taking place?  Speaking from my own market, houses that are selling are either foreclosures at 50% off regular residential prices or seasonal 55+ sales who bought for cash or died trying to sell and now it is in estate status.  That really and truly is not a rebound, it is a liquidation which will then leave the regular residential market in worse shape than before.

This Christmas season should be a telltale time of what is actually going on and how the American people have been affected.  Currently in our area there have been many restaurants that have closed, a magnificent mall which has struggled to get tenants and the kicker to the local economy is the FBI came in and closed down the 3rd largest lender whose home base was right here in Ocala leaving 1200 folks instantly unemployed.  I wonder, is Taylor Bean & Whitaker the only Mortgage Company who had fraudulent transactions?  I doubt it!  I wonder what the truth of the matter is.  Is this just another form of government control & manipulation with no regard to the effect of American people?

Is it no wonder that there is an increasing atmosphere of civil unrest and disorder?  Any animal will go about its business relatively peacefully but corner that animal and it will attack, does the government expect anything less from the American people?

A Chicago thug who strong arms and bullies Congress & now attempting to do the same with the Senate is NOT change we can live with, it is a recipe for disaster with civil revolt and economic collapse.   I'm grateful for those who will stand up against the oppressive nonsense of this current administration and filibuster this wretched bill.  

Where are the true American leaders who will stand up for the American people who live and breathe & pay taxes without giving away all we've worked for to those who have no legal right to it.  I am all for immigration, but do it legally and pay taxes like the rest of us...and not 45% as Pelosi wants!