Schaumburg IL Real Estate - 10 REASONS NOT TO STAGE YOUR HOME

1.  We want to test the market for 90 days.  And on the 91st day?  Price reduction--and 90 days worth of potential buyers who have already eliminated your property. 

2.  It costs too much money.  I have never seen a home where the staging costs would have exceeded the first price reduction.  And that doesn't even factor in the monthly carrying cost of the home. 

3.  We can't stage the house, we're living in it.  One common misconception is that staging is only for vacant homes.  Every home/condo can be staged, and you can actually live in it after staging.   

4.  We didn't have to stage any of the other properties we sold over the years.  Yes, once upon a time you could generate three offers by 5 p.m. on the same day your Realtor put the For Sale sign in your yard.  Not now.  Buyers are picky and they have a lot of homes to choose from. 

5.  Everyone loves our house so buyers will love it, too.   What you, your friends and relatives love about your house may not be what today's buyer wants.  Sellers are often baffled by the feedback they get after showings--amazed that buyers have found things they don't like about the property. 

6. We can clean the carpets and declutter without someone telling us how.  Yes, you can (and should) do this, but it is a tiny piece of staging.  Do you know what separates  "clutter" from "asset"?  And what about all the other things that staging encompasses, like traffic flows, highlighting architectural features, updating, and appealing to your target market?

7.  We have no desire to remove/change our _______________ (wallpaper/mirrored tile/gold faucets/paneling/dated light fixtures . . .).  And neither do buyers.  Better to keep your home or be ready to sell at a deep discount. 

8.  The view alone will sell this place.  Then why many months later are these great view homes/condos still on the market?  Could it be that buyers want something to go with the view--like a comfortable, move-in ready home?

9.  We would rather let the buyers makes their own paint/flooring choices.  And that equals a price reduction.  If buyers do make an offer on your home they will double or triple the cost of these items and reflect that in their discounted offer price--which includes a deduction for the inconvenience. 

10. Our home is professionally decorated.  A professionally decorated home is tailored to the owner's particular needs.  Does it work for the new buyer's needs?  You could see #1 above . . . .

These are all great reasons--

• for price reductions
• for extended time on the market
• for buyers not coming to look at your home
• for buyers not coming back for a second look

There are dozens of reasons not to stage, but only one good reason to stage--getting your home sold faster for the highest possible price.  Staging is preparing your home for sale and creating a home that buyers want to buy.  If you want to be in the best competitive position in this market today, consult with a professional home stager before listing your property for sale. 

 

 

 

 

Trouble is Brewing! Associations and their FHA Approval

Serendipity and my Chochkies!

Hoffman Estates IL Homes - The Mistake Many Sellers Make Relisting In The Spring

Warning!  The Mistake Many Sellers Make Relisting In The Spring

Are you one of the many sellers who took their house off the market last winter, intending to relist in the spring?  If so, it's almost time....and you could be making a very costly mistake.  Do you know what the problem was when you first listed so you can avoid repeating it?

Many sellers take their house off the market blaming the time of year, the economy, or the agent...when the real problem is the condition of their house.  It's important you learn from your experience and, this time around make some changes in your approach to selling.  

Sellers who expect better results by simply changing seasons and/or hiring a new agent usually end up disappointed.

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" 

Albert Einstein

 

If you want different results this time around, you need a different approach.  Increase the perceived value and set your house apart from the competition. 

• Make condition and presentation your priority.
• When choosing an agent, check out the MLS photos of their current listings.
• Consult with a Professional Home Stager for advice on the most cost effective improvements.
• Prepack as much as possible.
• Clean, paint, and update.
• Organize kitchen cabinets and all closets.

 

 If you don't choose to improve the condition, then you will have no choice but to lower the price.

That's insanity!

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For More Information Visit My Website

Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth   Rye   Greenland   Hampton   North Hampton   Exeter   Dover   Stratham  

603.661.8524

                                   

 

Schaumburg Homes - Ten things to REMOVE before you start showing your home for sale!

Everyone has heard rumors of de-cluttering when it's time to sell your home. But, what does that really mean?  Before going hog wild and moving out... here's a few of the most important things to consider removing before you list your home for sale.

10. Personal photos. I don't always recommend removing photos of the 'family' but if you have hallways filled with photos or photos on every end table it is probably necessary. Buyers really DO get distracted by them. They will take them all in as they walk down the hall. Not only do they take away from the home, but it's really disturbing when a buyer is excited to 'know' the sellers. And, the buyers do look at them.

9. Bills and personal papers. I understand that you cannot remove these document from the home all together, but please take the time to organize them, box them up and put them out of sight. If you have bills laying out on the counter or kitchen table it's like an invitation for the buyers to 'peek' at them. Believe me - I discourage it - but it still happens. And as a seller you just don't want to leave the temptation behind.

8. Money. I would love to say that every buyer (and Realtor) going through every home is honest, but I really don't want to test those waters. If you have cash, cash boxes or coin jars sitting out in the open... put them away. It's just better for everyone if it's out of sight. As Realtors we do what we can to protect your home, but your help makes a difference!

7. Valuables. Jewelry, watches, valuable antiques.... anything that might be worth a bit of money that you wouldn't want to lose. Out of sight, out of mind. If buyers don't know they are there they won't think about it. I can't tell you how many homes I've been in where the jewelry is left on the dresser.... somehow it's uncomfortable. At least put it away.

6. Guns and ammo. I don't care if they are in a case or out laying around or under a bed. It's better if you just plain old remove them from the home prior to listing. For some reason they make buyers (in my experience) feel really insecure.

5. Shoes! If you have a pile of shoes at the door... ask yourself why. A pile of shoes gives a buyer two impressions. The first? That there isn't enough storage in your home. 2. That there are too many people living in the home. So, in order to avoid wondering on the part of the buyer... just put them away.

4. Medicine. Take it out. Don't store it on the counter. Don't store it in the cabinet. Don't store it in the bathroom. Remove it. There have been many complaints over the years of potential buyers 'stealing' the medicine out of the cabinets. I have never had it happen on my time clock, but to avoid any trouble it's best to simply remove it.

3. All things on your kitchen counter. Everything? Really? Yup. The cleaner you can leave the counter, the more buyers dream of being in there. Have you ever been in a cluttered kitchen? Does it feel inviting? How about a cleaned up kitchen? Does it make you wanna spend time there? Also, if you store things on the counter it gives the appearance that you do not have enough storage space.

2. No more junk drawers. Seriously. Clean 'em out. There is nothing more tacky than a potential buyer opening the cupboards and drawers and having things sticking out everywhere. Box up all the notes, pens, tacks, and odds and ends and put them away. Chances are you don't dig in the drawer often anyways.

1. Nothing but magnets.... and maybe not even that. Take a photo of your fridge, take everything off, wash the front (and side), and take another photo. It is really refreshing to walk into a home that has a clean fridge. The kids pictures are beautiful (believe me... my fridge is covered in them) but buyer's can't imagine their own children's drawing on there if it is covered with yours. And, the magnets... If they aren't decorative (and even then) they are generally more of a distraction to the room than a help. Consider it.

There are many more ways to declutter a home for sale... but these are some important things to consider. For more information on selling your home in Minnesota... give me a call.

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                 In the meantime... if you are looking to move into the area... I'll wait for you to call!

Selling Real Estate in Minnesota!

If you are looking for professional real estate services I am only a ring away! I am looking forward to working with you. And, please feel free to share my name with anyone that you know who needs assistance buying or selling a home ~ I love referrals!

                                                   Lindsey Hasford, REALTOR
                                                        Coldwell Banker Vision
                                             231 Main Street - Elk River - MN 55330
                                          763-241-5488 (office)  763-218-1347 (cell)
                                           lindseyhasford@coldwellbankervision.com
                                                  http://www.hasfordhomes.com

Schaumburg Township Assessor - Tax Appeal Seminar

ASUS Zenbook - One person's story about their customer service!

For those of you considering buying an ASUS Zenbook, I want to share my experience to save you the pain I've been through.  I paid $1,550 for the ASUS Zenbook UX31E (their top of the line model) on 11/21/11 from New Egg.com.  On 11/28/11 I received the computer and began using it.  It worked fine for the first four weeks and then began having problems starting up.  On 1/14/12 it didn't start at all and on 1/17/12 I sent it in to be serviced as instructed by ASUS (it was now just beyond NewEgg's 30 day guarantee).  They received the computer on 1/20/12. 

I have had no phone calls or e-mails from ASUS at all.  I have to call their Customer Service hotline, which consists of people in Malaysia or some other foreign land peering at a computer screen reading back to me the exact same information I obtain from the ASUS Service website.  It is now almost two weeks and there is no indication on when my computer will be returned.  The ASUS Service site states, "Waiting [WB-1] Wait for Material/Spare Parts". 

Well, I've had it!  I'm starting a social media campaign to put pressure on ASUS to either fix my machine or send me a new one!  My client files are on that computer and it is very difficult to work without my files.  Please reblog this post and Tweet it with the hashtags #ASUS #GailRobinson.  Let's see if social media can work to get this arrogant giant's attention.

Thanks,

Gail

                  

     

Schaumburg Homes - What percentage of homes are foreclosures?

Preparing your Schaumburg Home for Sale - 6 worth the price fix ups!

Waiting to See How it Goes Before You Stage Your Home for Sale? Here are 6 Reasons Why You Shouldn't!

Home Staging Tips in Palm Beach County- Waiting to See How It Goes Before You Stage?   Here Are 6  Reasons Why You Shouldn’t.

I run into this all of the time when I speak with  Realtors... they have your home listed and are doing everything they can to get it sold for you.  They’ve done their research and have suggested the best List Price for your home based on the market, your competition, location  and condition of your home.

There are items regarding condition that your Realtor feels need to be addressed to give your home the best chance of selling but you’d rather wait a month to see what happens.  

What are you waiting for?  Now is NOT the time to Wait and See........

6 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Stage:

1.  A Newly Listed Home is like a loaf of fresh bread... it begins to get stale the longer it sits there.

2.  What you invest in staging and preparation will be far less than that first price reduction you’re asked to give.

3.  The “What’s wrong with it?” cloud begins to form over your house.

4. The longer it sits, the longer you “get” to make sure your home is “Show Ready” every day!

5.  Every day your house sits on the market it’s costing you money... your mortgage, utilities, insurance..... and preventing you from moving on.

6. Your first and best chance at getting a showing appointment is via your MLS listing and the photos that accompany it.    Studies have shown that 90+% of Buyers begin their search on the Internet.   Are you willing to rule out such a huge portion of Buyers because of your MLS photos?

So tell me again... why are you waiting to Stage your house?

 

 

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Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com