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The Home Staging Secret To A Fast Sale: Two Words...

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

What are the two most important words to consider when selling your home? 

The most common answer is a combination of either "price, location, or condition." 

Most advice on selling a house centers around these three subjects, and plenty has been written about each.

 If you want to have an advantage over the other sellers in your price range, I suggest you consider two other words.

 

What most real estate advice doesn't mention is "perceived value."

 

Your house is not worth what you think it is worth, or what your Realtor thinks it is worth, or what you need to get for it, or what your neighbor's house sold for.  Your Realtor will help you determine a listing price, but the actual worth of your house is what a buyer perceives it to be worth. 

What buyers think is the only thing that matters.  Buyer's perception is seller's reality.


The secret to a fast sale is creating a perception of value throughout the house. 

Unmatched value is the only way to guarantee that your house sells before the rest. 

Here are some examples of ways to make your house appear more valuable:

  • Updated light fixtures
  • Current paint colors, wall art, window treatments
  • New carpet or refinished hardwood
  • Updated hardware on cabinets
  • Slipcovers for dated furniture
  • Organized closets and cabinets
  • Impressive and appealing MLS photos

Preparing your house for sale is not an expense,  it's a wise investment.

Consult with a professional home stager for more ways to make your house appear more valuable to buyers. 

The home staging secret to a fast sale is creating perceived value!

Comments(91)

Marney Kirk
Cummings & Co. Realtors - Towson, MD
Towson, Maryland Real Estate

Sharon, you summed it up perfectly: "Buyer's perception is your reality ."

Powerful. Thank you!

May 27, 2009 11:49 AM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

Excellent post --Consumer / Buyer behavior is always a fansinating topic for me and I think that home has to live up to the expectations of what the Buyers WANT their life to be like in the future. 

May 27, 2009 12:19 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Marney:  I appreciate the comment, thank you!

Kerry:  Exactly!  Show them what their life could be in the future, as opposed to what the sellers life has been in the past. 

May 27, 2009 12:38 PM
Linda D. Pufford
Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA
ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager
Sharon, This is such a great post!!! I will never look at those two words "Perceived Value" the same ever again. It now has so much more meaning. Great information and a Super Post.
May 27, 2009 02:51 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Linda:  Well, thank you!  What a great comment to receive, it means a lot to me!

May 27, 2009 11:03 PM
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Agent - Rebecca Skane, Realtor®, e-PRO®
Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Portsmouth, NH

Holy Moly, look at all of the comments!  Was this a recent featured post?  Great job!  And I loved the post as well, so true!  Can you help me with the perception of a 1970's vacant double wide?  lol....

May 28, 2009 04:42 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Rebecca:  Yes, just posted two days ago.  Thank you!  1970's double wide, huh?  Piece of cake, you would be surprised by my super powers!  I could have it looking like a 2000 double wide in no time. lol

May 28, 2009 04:57 AM
Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA
Atlanta Home Staging

Best Home Staging Post Award

Need I say More? :-)

 

May 28, 2009 08:34 AM
Mitzi & Phyllis White & Carpenter
Real Estate Central - Hurricane, WV
The Dream Team

Great post.  I love learning new ideas on here!  Thank you!!

May 28, 2009 09:22 AM
Mitzi & Phyllis White & Carpenter
Real Estate Central - Hurricane, WV
The Dream Team

Great post.  I love learning new ideas on here!  Thank you!!

May 28, 2009 09:22 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Karen:  I am honored!  I don't know what's better...the award or how darn cute your little cartoon self is!! I love it!   I am deeply touched and I would like to thank my parents, my husband, God of course, and all the little people...

May 28, 2009 09:24 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Mitzi:  Glad I could contribute!  Hope it's useful in your business!

May 28, 2009 09:26 AM
Anonymous
Jaishree Zilpelwar

Great Post..I love your comments and philosophy. I am going to use it when I speak with my seller.  Thank you.

May 28, 2009 01:57 PM
#84
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Jaishree:  Use it and make it work for you!  Best of success with it!  Thanks!

May 28, 2009 02:02 PM
Janis Gaines
Staging Sells Eugene Homes - Eugene, OR
Home Stager Eugene OR - The Notably Well-Dressed H

Hi Sharon,

I don't know where I first heard this term, but I use it in all of my presentations as well as most consultations.

Here is an example with visual that would go something like this: "...and that mid 80's sofa on your second floor landing is going to significantly DIMINISH the PERCEIVED VALUE of your $700,000 home..."

80's sofa

 

Gets their attention every time! ;=)

May 28, 2009 06:18 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Janis:  A picture is worth a thousand words, and this one does the trick!  Thanks for commenting and sharing the visual.

May 28, 2009 11:41 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sharon, don't know how I missed this great post.  My husband is a builder and he has always said that a home is "worth" what someone is willing to pay for it.  Perception is key. 

Jun 01, 2009 07:52 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kathy:  You may have missed it, but you are here now...that is what is important!  I'm glad you found me!  Your husband knows his business!  Thanks.

Jun 01, 2009 01:15 PM
Bridget Cella
Re/Max Connection - Sewell, NJ
e-Pro, Realtor

Glad I caught this the second time around.  Very well written and congratulations on the feature!

Jun 01, 2009 02:56 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Bridget:  I'm glad you caught it too!  Thanks for the well wishes!

Jun 02, 2009 01:27 AM