I started my home staging business not as an outlet for interior decorating -- as some people would assume -- but because I love the excitement of buying and selling real estate in Calgary, Alberta. In order to achieve any successful sale, you have to effectively merchandise your product. In this case, it's a house.
What's involved in home merchandising? It starts with saying your good-byes, first of all, and then overcoming the procrastination of dealing with all the stuff you've collected . . . and home maintenance you've put off . . . for someday when you'd have more time.
When you decide to sell your house, that day has arrived, more time or not!
The most important thing is to act early enough to ... sort, organize, pitch, purge, donate, scrape, patch, sand, tape, paint, spray, saw, hammer, glue, nail, fix, tighten, whiten, lighten, brighten, dust, scrub, mop, sweep, wipe and polish.
Phew!
I mean, people detail their car before selling it. They wash it, vacuum it, Armor All it, and even squeegee both sides of the windows!
So why is it that there are home owners who call on Monday for a pre-market home selling consultation, going on to disclose that they are listing on Friday -- (the photographer is already booked) -- and then are stunned during the consultation that gets squeezed in on Wednesday evening (they were "too busy" Tuesday) that I've suggested they address the dozen or so unfinished jobs around the house, clear out closets and clean like they've never cleaned before? They gulp realizing they've got at least a month's worth of work ahead of them, and ask if its really necessary.
Of course, it goes without saying, they are also expecting top dollar for their home. They called about "home staging" because they hear it will help their house sell in a week, right?
Home Staging/styling is great for putting the finishing touches on presenting the home for sale, but it cannot make up for a home that is simply in poor condition -- at least as far as the buyer is concerned.
The biggest favor you can do for yourself when thinking about selling your home, is to call a Realtor who works with a Home Stager, and get that pre-market consultation done 60 days ahead of time! Not only should you find out the real dollars and cents that your property is worth, but get an objective, professional opinion of what a buyer will think your home's assets and shortcomings are -- another function of home staging.
Then, take the time to address all of those shortcomings.
Nobody wants to clean up someone else's mess. Maintaining your home all along the way is the surest way to also maintain its value. You can't possibly cram this into the few days before you decide to list, any more than you can "cram" plowing, seeding, watering, and cultivating wheat into a harvestable crop!
As we all tell our kids, don't leave your homework to the last minute!
When selling a home, let's listen to our own advice.
Deena Cottingham
GreenApple Staging & Images
Serving Calgary and Okotoks, Alberta
©GreenApple Staging & Images, 2010
All information is copyrighted and may not be used, borrowed or copied without written permission.
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Deena, That's exactly right...plus rule number one...role up your sleeves!