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What Home Buyers are Looking for: A Home in Move In Condition Along with Lifestyle Choices

By Gary Sefferman

Home Stager with Nickian Home Staging

August 09, 2011 08:34 AM

Buyers Don’t Want to Buy a Project:

According to a recent survey conducted by Coldwell Banker Real Estate, 87 percent of consumers who purchased their first home in the last year said finding a home that was move in ready was important to them. Considering that according to the National Association of Realtors ^®, first time buyers accounted for half of the market in 2010, that statistic provides an insight into how sellers should be preparing their properties to sell in 2011.

“There’s a real ‘a-ha’ moment for sellers revealed by this survey, that the condition and quality of their home matters a great deal to first-time homebuyers,” said Diann Patton, consumer real estate specialist, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

LifeStyle and Lifestyle Choices Are Important Factors:

In addition to move-in conditions, first-time buyer revealed the old adage “location, location, location” still rings true:

78 percent of respondents said the home had to be in an area convenient to shops and services
75 percent of buyers said it was important to be close to their place of work
Nearly 66 percent said it was important to be near “highly-rated” schools

Home Staging Can Help Seal the Deal:

The insight that this survey provides makes a compelling case for home sellers to prepare their home for sale before putting it on the market. Making necessary repairs and cosmetic changes to the property will go a long towards attracting a buyer. It may also include the services of a qualified professional home stager. This survey also suggests that home buyers are seeking to buy a Lifestyle and a professional stager can create a design plan to target the buyer by portraying the lifestyle.

About the Author: Gary Sefferman is President and Creative Director of Nickian Home Staging, a boutique style home staging company serving the New York City Metro area, including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Westchester, Northern New Jersey and Fairfield County Connecticut. Nickian’s focus is working with home sellers and their real estate agents to prepare their property to appeal to the most likely buyers. As Certified Advanced Stagers Nickian Home Staging transforms a property into a buyer’s must-have through the use of targeted lifestyle marketing techniques.

-Gary Sefferman

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Wendy Tomm

Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB

CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors

Thank you for the article. I am a home stager and I belief if agents can hook up with a professional home stager their business will certainly reap the benefits. Thank you for believing in home staging.

Aug 09, 2011 10:04 AM

Liz Murray

Renaissance Home Staging & Redesign - Chandler, AZ

Professional Home Stager

Okay... I like statistics, ALOT! There are some other stats that I have seen recently, too! IE: 20% of the home sales went to SINGLE WOMEN. That's a big segment, and as you know, women are generally pretty fussy. (Happy wife, happy life)

Staging is the cosmetics added to a property to enhance the way it looks. Women GET THAT. Now, when are sellers and realtors going to understand that it's now a "beauty contest" in today's market. Even Barbara Corcoran has said that on national TV!

Aug 09, 2011 02:34 PM

Janet Jones

Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI

Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Gary--thank you for posting this. I am impressed that Coldwell Banker is doing this sort of research. The statistics don't surprise me and I would think they are close for move-up buyers, too. Thank you for promoting staging. We are here to help sellers create that "move-in" ready house for the market.

Aug 10, 2011 12:25 AM

Joanna Cohlan

Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY

Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Thanks for the statistics Gary-it's always helpful to have them to make a compelling case. I work closely with a Coldwell Banker Realtor who realizes that her business has changed dramatically because of our relationship.

Aug 10, 2011 12:46 AM

Julia Maher

Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT

Connecticut Home Stager

Hello, Gary! Home sellers have no control over Location, but they can deal with Price and Condition. Truly understanding who the target buyer is, and presenting the property in a manner to appeal to that buyer, is the hallmark of a professional Stager.

Aug 10, 2011 04:17 AM

Karen Ondayko

Dazzle Home Design - Home Staging Pro - northern Virginia - Alexandria, VA

Thanks for including the fact that homestagers are creating "a lifestyle". There are some who simply think they can add some furniture and hang a picture or two and voila that will give them a home ready for buyers. It's not that easy: professional stagers create focus on the good, and give a hint of what life would be like if you were so lucky to live in this home!

Aug 10, 2011 05:10 AM

Kevin Sembrat

Diversified RCS Inc; http://www.ManhattanPropertiesGroup.com - Manhattan, NY

Hi Gary,

I just ran across your blog and I wanted to let you know that I liked what I read and saw -- great photos! I'll keep you in mind for my sellers in Manhattan. I subscribed to your blog to keep in touch with what you're doing.

Best,

Kevin

www.ManhattanPropertiesGroup.com

Apr 24, 2012 05:36 AM

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Gary Sefferman

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