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A Life Raft for Sellers in This Shallow Pool of Buyers

By
Home Stager with Staged First Impressions

Last week I was invited to visit a wonderful woman named Deanne at her mother's home in Dover, New Hampshire for a home staging consultation. Her Mom had died fairly quickly from an aggressive brain tumor, and it had only been a week since the funeral. Deanne was raw with sadness and understandably nervous about the job of selling this home. Soon she wouldlife raft fly back to her home in the Midwest, and finish the selling process from miles away. She was open to discussing a detailed plan that will help the house to sell faster. And she was smart to get this plan in place BEFORE putting her Mom's house on the market.

It didn't take long for me to spot some obstacles that might get in the way of buyers wanting to purchase this house. If Deanne staged her Mom's home, it would appeal to more buyers, and increase the chances of getting an offer. Staged homes sell faster.

life ring Challenge #1: Letting go. Deanne's Mom loved color, bright color. Cherry red and bright lemon yellow walls, and a guest bathroom with a black ceiling. I explained to Deanne, who is a clothing designer, that if she left the walls these colors, she would be limiting the number of buyers who would fall in love with the home. "But someone will like these colors just like Mom did." The analogy I gave this designer was this: if you created only size 18 dresses, how many would you sell? You are limiting your buyer pool to size 18 women only, and you are limiting your buyer pool here by keeping bright colored walls in the home. When you put your house on the market, it's not about you anymore. It's about the potential home buyers. Go neutral with colors and style to attract more buyers.

This living room in Kensington, New Hampshire was painted a dark brown before staging. It was given an updated lighter wall color, areas were staged to look larger, cleaner and more relaxed. Home staging makes a house appealing to a greater number of people.

staged living room
Staged Living Room

 

life ringChallenge #2: De-personalizing. Deanne's Mom had lots of beautiful photos of brides and babies decorating her home. Human beings are attracted to human faces, we can't help it. The problem is that buyers will be staring at her photos instead of looking at her home. Not good! Buyers spend only a few seconds per room checking it out for the first time. Precious seconds spent looking at your stuff takes away from showing off your home! This is not only true of personal photos...if you have an incredible collection of signed baseballs, precious Hummel s, antique doo-dahs etc on display, the buyers will be staring at your collection instead of concentrating on your house. Another area to de-personalize is your bathrooms. When there are face cloths, razors, toothbrushes etc on display in the bathroom, it gets too personal. Hide all bathroom items in a cabinet prior to showings and of course prior to your listing photos. Bathrooms should look like they do in a hotel, spotless and empty. And close that lid!

This bathroom in Lee, New Hampshire had pink feminine wallpaper that may not have appealed to a lot of buyers. It was painted a neutral color and personal items were hidden.

staged bathroom
Staged Master Bathroom

life ring

Challenge #3: Welcoming in 2007 with open arms. We all have some "comfy old favorites". Perhaps the comforter on your bed has kept you warm for many, many years. It's broken in, you say, nothing wrong with it. Updating the style of your home does matter when it comes to selling it. If you were getting dressed for a job interview, would you wear a 15 year old suit? Or would you spiff up a bit, look your best? This isn't a dress rehearsal for your home, this is show time!! Put its best face forward.

This master bedroom in Greenland, New Hampshire needed a boost to beam it up into 2007. Blue mini blinds and a tired bedspread needed updating. Home staging gave this room a fresh updated look to help it appeal to more buyers. Turn on your lights for showings; light and bright is cheerful.

staged bathroom
Staged Master Bedroom

 

life ring

Challenge #4: The front entry creates the first impression. It's the Universal Law of Wrappers when it comes to selling a product. Take a chocolate truffle for example. The prettier the wrapper, the better the chocolate is assumed to be, the more money you might be willing to pay for it. Successful confectioners know that presentation matters when it comes to selling pricey chocolate! Home staging prepares homes for market by using this same principal. Staging adds colorful accessories to transform your home into a beautifully packaged product to sell.

And staging includes the exterior of the home too. The first impression buyers have when they pull in to the driveway should make them want to see more. It should be clean, welcoming and friendly.

This staged New Hampshire front entry says, "Come on in!" It looks clean and well kept, it lets buyers know that the hard work has been done for them. Ahh, move in, and relax. The front of the house is almost always the first listing picture that buyers see on the Internet when they're browsing homes for sale, so make it good!

staged front entry
Staged Front Entry

 

life ring

Challenge #5: Making Peace with the current market. As your home stager, I'd like you to have realistic expectations. Just because your house is staged beautifully doesn't mean you can bump up the price in a buyer's market. Your staged home will most likely sell faster in a buyer's market if it is staged. The market is what it is! No one has a crystal ball to determine the best time for you to sell your home. But think about this: if your home sells for less than you'd like, you're probably going to buy one for less too.

Staging your home before putting it on the market ensures that your home's first impressions are top-notch. Statistics show that the first 30 days after listing are when the most activity on your home occurs. Stage it, then list it, then sell it. 

Staged First Impressions in Hampton, NH helped Deanne and many other New Hampshire home owners by creating attractive and comfortable houses to sell. We also provide excellent staged photography services. If you would like personalized instruction on how to stage your home so it sells faster, please call us in New Hampshire @ 603-926-2676. We've got a life raft ready & waiting for you!

 

Like to read more New Hampshire home staging blogs by Sue Argue from Staged First Impressions?

Can I stage my own home?
I don't think my house needs staging, it's just right for me!
Who pays for home staging, the seller or the agent?
Can you teach me to stage my own home?
How come Realtors don't pay for home staging?
Why are the listing pictures so important?
Do you have experience staging commercial spaces?
I'm moving; what should I do with my household hazardous waste?
When it comes to fixing up my house for sale, what is most important?
My house is vacant and I can't afford to stage it.
How do I get started staging my home in NH?
What is a home staging consultation?
Do you know any green LEED builders?
Tell me how to interview a home stager.
Tell me who to contact to join the Active Rain blogging community.
Where can I find info on home staging statistics?
I can't find a home stager in my area, can you help me?
My house needs curb appeal, can you help me?
Another example of curb appeal
Staging it Forward with Realtors in NH
What is Staged Photography?
Using Staged Photography to sell your home in NH
Selling? Make Peace with the Current Real Estate Market 

Comments (128)

William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hello Sue, Congratulations on your winning post. I have a headset on and I am listening to Il Divo/Celine as I write this. The song is,  I believe in You. Seems fitting. Your post shows an understanding of the complexities surrounding the transaction and the parties involved. Well Done. I have for the last 19 years of my real estate career benefited my Sellers with my previous career in the design field and it has always made such a profound difference. Congratulations again and wishing you always great success and continued passion in your career.
Aug 23, 2007 06:12 PM
Sue Argue
Staged First Impressions - Hampton, NH
NH Home Stager
William, thank you for the thoughtful comment. I used to work in LaJolla; an incredibly beautiful area.
Aug 24, 2007 07:28 AM
Vicky Poe
Good Ole Rocky Top - Crossville, TN
Realtor/ Auctioneer
The pictures look lovely.  Staging is paying off for you.
Aug 24, 2007 02:19 PM
Sue Argue
Staged First Impressions - Hampton, NH
NH Home Stager
Vicki, thank you very much. I'm having a lot of fun too.
Aug 24, 2007 02:33 PM
Pat Hommel
Annapolis Plaza CB Residential and Commercial - Annapolis, MD
Annapolis, AA Co., Md. Real Estate Sales

Sue,

There are many great suggestions here.  It is a sensitive issue talking with sellers about changing things they love about their home.  As the saying goes, "You only have one chance at a first impression".

Pat

Aug 25, 2007 12:20 AM
Sue Argue
Staged First Impressions - Hampton, NH
NH Home Stager
Pat from Annapolis MD, thank you for leaving me a comment and welcome to Active Rain!!
Aug 25, 2007 01:40 AM
Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~
Agent Referral - Salt Lake City, UT
Another great one Sue! I'm on an adventure to learn all i can about home staging for my clients.  Your blogs contain such wonderful information.  Thank you!
Sep 07, 2007 02:36 AM
Sue Argue
Staged First Impressions - Hampton, NH
NH Home Stager
Julie, thank you very much for the compliment. You will have more business with your attitude because staging makes a huge difference in the outcome of the sale. Best of luck to you in Utah.
Sep 07, 2007 11:59 AM
Sue Argue
Staged First Impressions - Hampton, NH
NH Home Stager

This blog has been re-posted as Members Only.

I apologize to the family who has been insulted by this blog, and I thank you for teaching me a lesson that it is NOT okay to re-tell a story such as this, whether the names are changed or not. 

Please understand that my intention was to teach others about home staging. I never thought in a million years that this would be offensive. But it was, and I am deeply sorry.

Sep 22, 2007 02:41 AM
Kim Dillon
Creative Eye Home Staging - West Chester, PA

Loved the way you used the photos to illustrate your points.   (Now if I could ever get my photos to be where I want them on these blogs!!!) Some nice suggestions for dealing with delicate situations too.  Thanks.

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

Sep 22, 2007 02:52 AM
Minnesota Home Staging Firm, Minnesota
Minnesota Home Staging Network~ MN's Top Home Staging Firm - Inver Grove Heights, MN

Great work Sue. Excellent content and well deserving of the award :)

Did you paint the #5 on the front door or was that there?

All the best,

Beth

Oct 01, 2007 02:25 AM
Mike and Dawn Lewis
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams - San Diego, CA
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA

Sue,

The title of your post is excellent. The pool is so shallow. Your content on staging is great. I stage my vacant homes with a storage unit of high quality decor which always helps in the sale. I think the declutter and depersonalization is also very important. Good post.

Mike Lewis

 

Oct 01, 2007 03:47 AM
Pat Hommel
Annapolis Plaza CB Residential and Commercial - Annapolis, MD
Annapolis, AA Co., Md. Real Estate Sales
Sue,   I've printed this and shared with my sellers, helping them to prepare their home before we listed it.  Thanks for this post.
Oct 01, 2007 03:38 PM
Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR
RE/MAX Shoreline - Portsmouth, NH
Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
Nice job, however photos of work completed are always more effective to me if you get to to see the "before" photos as well.
Jan 03, 2008 03:01 AM
Ann Henry-Dean
The Masiello Group - Amherst, NH

Great post. I will share this article with my sellers. I believe staging homes to sell is the way to go. I plan to become a accredited staging professional for Realtors in February.

Ann Henry-Dean, Realtor, Masiello Group Amherst, NH

Jan 03, 2008 09:56 AM
Jay McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Exeter, NH
Real Estate Broker
I just got a chance to read this and it was well deserved and I am sorry to hear that your clients were upset. 
Jan 06, 2008 11:53 PM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Sue,

Congratulations on your "Win". As a newbie, I'm fianlly getting to the contests. The Life saver bullets were great.

Peace,

Apr 07, 2008 08:56 PM
Shannon Aldrich
Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Rye, NH
NH & Maine Real Estate Seacoast
Sue - Your information is timeless. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us.
Apr 08, 2008 10:53 AM
Lisa Collymore
Highstylebydesign - Montreal, QC

Hello Sue!

 

  What a great post. The information is informative and straight to the point. I will have a look at the home staging links that you have mentioned. Congrats on a resourceful piece.

 

 

Lisa Collymore

Highstylebydesign.com

Apr 13, 2009 04:01 PM
Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate
RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - Windsor, ON

Hi Sue,

Wonderful post. Really informative. Keep posting.

 

Best -Sash

Jan 05, 2010 01:32 PM