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"He said he can paint!"

By
Home Stager with Home Staging by SPC, SPC Associates of NY, Inc.

Recently, I had two home staging customers say the exact same thing to me about the painters they hired before they called me; "He said he can paint!".  Well, my 9 year old nephew can paint also, but I wouldn't have him paint my house, my biggest asset, prior to putting in the market.

In an attempt to save money, many people hire unqualified painters or try to tackle large painting projects themselves.  In the long run, it ends up costing more to have the home repainted.  Painting is one of the easiest ways to spruce up a house before listing with a Realtor.  Yet, time and time again I see homeowners hiring their landscaper, neighbor or relative to tackle these projects.  Hiring a professional painter is worth every penny.  If you plan to tackle the painting yourself remember, proper prepping prior to painting (say that three times fast!) is essential.  Properly painted rooms will give a home a cohesive feel and natural flow.

The careful use of color, an important part of staging, will make a home stand out.  Color will help spark that emotion needed to motivate the buyer into making an offer.  There are many great new colors, finishes and types of paint on the market.  There are also some inovative green paints with little or no VOC's (Volitale Organic Compounds).  I know here on Long Island as well as other parts of the country this is a great selling feature.  The Benjamin Moore Website, www.benjaminmoore.com and Sherwin Williams website, www.sherwin-williams.com both have great information on the new green products they produce.

Today, we are all very careful of how we spend our money.  Just remember, the cost of staging (painting included) is less than the typical first price reduction a house on the market goes through. 

If you have any comments I would love to hear them.

 

Lisa Bear (RE/MAX REALTY CENTER) Waukesha,MilwWI Real Estate 2628935555
Buyers Agent/Luxury/Lake/REO, listing package options - Oconomowoc, WI

Such good advice --- paint is good and color is great -- when it's on the walls!

Apr 13, 2011 04:35 PM
Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

Joanne, I knew low VOC was good, but I didn't know what the acronym stood for! Thanx for educating people about the value of what we do, we need to get the word out there! I love the crack about the nephew! lol!

Apr 13, 2011 04:37 PM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Joanne--really great advice.  It does not pay for the seller to cut corners in preparing their home for the market.  Buyers will notice this.  Sellers will pay for it through having to redo it or having it deducted from the offer price. 

Apr 13, 2011 09:59 PM
Joanne Bechhoff
Home Staging by SPC, SPC Associates of NY, Inc. - Manorville, NY
UDCP

Lisa, Thanks.  I'm glad you beiieve in color.  Many people are afraid of it.

Peg, Glad I could help.  I have seen some homes where there was absolutely no prepping prior to painting..a mess.  Thanks for the comment.

Janet, Thanks.  People don't realize you get what you pay for.  If you cut corners it always shows.

Apr 14, 2011 12:18 AM
Anonymous
Lorraine

You couldn't have said that better.  I did what Joanne recommended.  Even if I thought I could paint, there were too many other things I needed to do.  I am so glad I followed every bit of her advice including having professionals do the painting.  i think too many people forget the prep needed before you can even pick up a paint brush.  The good news for me was that despite a "down" market, I was able to sell my house very quickly.  So my advice is - listen to Joanne, she knows what she is talking about.

May 11, 2012 08:21 AM
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