HOW TO SELL MY HOME FAST!!! HOME STAGING. IN TODAY’S COMPETITIVE REAL ESTATE MARKET, IT’S A TERM MOST EVERYONE IN THE HGTV GENERATION IS FAMILIAR WITH AND ONE THAT OFTEN MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE “ACTIVE” LISTINGS AND THE “SOLD” ONES. As an agent as well as an interior designer, I have the opportunity to see and consult with many homeowners as they prepare to list their homes. The most important question I ask, however silly it may sound is, “do you have your home ready to sell?” Seems simple enough and most homeowners believe they do. As homeowners we are emotionally attached to the items that personalize it for us. Often times it is difficult to look at our home objectively due to the special things we have collected and the changes we have made to our homes over the years. Looking at your home objectively from the eyes of a potential buyer is key and the first step in the staging process of your home. If you are unable do that, the little bit of money it costs to hire a home stager will go a long way in the quick, successful sale of your home.
The first step to staging is making obvious and necessary repairs starting with the 
approach from the street. “Deferred maintenance” is the first red flag for many buyers, and if they see things from the exterior, they are usually thinking about the possible things that they cannot see that may be waiting or hiding from them inside. Don’t lose your potential buyers at the curb!
Secondly, get rid of the clutter and minimize furnishings whenever possible. Buyers only need an idea of how a particular room functions and make it obvious. They certainly don’t care to look at all of your knickknacks and clutter. If you can’t get rid of it, sell it or donate it, then pack it up and store it for the interim. A clean, clutter free room allows them see the possibilities without being distracted by everything else. Remember, you only have a few minutes to make a great impression and most buyers make up their minds in those first few minutes. If you didn’t lose them at the curb, you want to keep them interested. Make them want more when they walk in the door!
Finally, whatever your taste in décor may be, keep in mind the integrity of the home. Very “taste specific” colors, furnishings, features etc. can turn a buyer away or off even if the “fix” is simple.
These are 3 basic steps to preparing your home for sale by staging. Keeping these simple tips in mind will put you in front of the competition and get you the results you want.
Comments(3)