Staging your home to sell - Manipulation? Trickery? Deceit? What do Buyers and Sellers get from a "Staged Home"?
Recently I have had people ask me if staging was just a way of manipulating the buyer to want something that wasn't what it appeared to be? Are we tricking buyers into buying homes they may not want? Are we deceiving people about a home's condition? WOW! Such a pure and simple concept turned ugly? Or does staging really benefit buyers and sellers? Here is what the Realtors who believe in staging recommend and believe should occur in preparing a home and staging a home for sale that adds benefit and value to both buyer and seller.
-A home that has been inspected (if the roof leaks or plumbing leaks you'll know)
-A home that has been updated with repairs in mind. You don't have to tear out the beautiful tile floor to repair damage underneath found by the inspector later. The buyer doesn't have to wonder if the new floor will look as good as you may not want to spend money on it now.
-A home where a seller cares that they provide a home you'll be proud to own (buyers who remain happy during a transaction are more likely to remain happy with their purchase - fewer problems, fewer buyers backing out of transactions, fewer lawsuits later)
-A home that is given the opportunity to show what its assets are. Clutter and "stuff" distracts from the assets of the home-size of rooms, flow of floorplan, the office that is a dining room shown as it was meant to be-a dining room. Other Realtors, Buyers (and appraisers) only know what they see so make that first impression a positive one that will enhance your client's bottom line. That is our job as their Realtor after all.
The most common time and place for a purchase transaction to fall apart is after the inspections. If this is 14-21 days after the buyer has purchased, the chances of buyer's backing out is increased as their fears take over. The buyers who fell in love with your home, get a different reality of what they are buying, may feel overwhelmed, frightened or feel they paid too much based on the amount of work needed versus knowing what needed to be repaired, and getting to see the final product after the repair is completed. This is a whole different feeling for the buyer and seller as the issue is solved before it is a problem. Your Realtor believes in being proactive and knows you'll have a quicker sale, happier buyer and the maximum return with this approach to your home sale. Staging enhances this process.
Let me take a moment to remind you about buying, a car for instance.
When you go look at a car, all shiny and clean, smelling good, looking it's best, (staged) and your expectation is that the car is as you perceive it. It works well, has no repairs needed, does not run rough or noisy, or have transmission problems, etc. When you take it to the mechanic and he tells you otherwise, you are disillusioned, disappointed and feel you are paying too much possibly. Well home buyers feel the same way. If you have put the car into good condition along with the cleaning and spiffing it up, the buyers expectations are met when the mechanic tells them the car is as it is presented.
Problems with a home are your problems until they are purchased by someone else. Would you purchase a good looking car and take on the problems without some sort of credit from the seller or expectation that it is working, running right and as presented to you? No, most people would not. Why then would a buyer be expected to make what is often the largest purchase in their lifetimes with less care and concern?
How does this help? This type of preparation gives the buyer the peace of mind that inspections were done, items found are disclosed and/or repaired, improvements were made with repairs in mind and that you are buying a product that is well taken care of and "as presented".
It gives the seller the peace of mind that nothing was missed and will come back at them later as they used due diligence to make sure all issues were addressed and/or disclosed to the buyer prior to the buyer purchasing the home, better yet, prior to their offer. Most sellers are good, conscientious, honest people and want this to be a good situation for all concerned.
Your Realtor's work and counsel started long before you saw the finished product. As Wayne Dyer says "Start with the end in mind". How do you want your ending to be? This is real estate the way most Realtors wish it to be, Equitable for ALL parties.
Seller-Your home becomes a house which becomes a product that you market and sell to the public. Staging helps you earn more equity in a quicker timeframe.
Buyer-The house you are buying becomes your home and a place to grow your dreams, not nightmares, right?
Selling a Staged Home, Buying a Staged Home...a winning proposition for both buyers and sellers. Buyers understand value. People don't have a problem paying for something where they see the value. Maybe this is not for everyone, but case in point. Would you rather buy the Ikea bookcase in a box? Would you rather buy the bicycle in pieces? Would you pay to have it put together properly and in working condition when you get it? Imagine and rate the experience and you decide.
Terrylynn Fisher, The Staging Realtor, 30 years in real estate and 18 years staging her client's homes to sell. Real Estate is my career and my goal is to have my client's be my advocate by providing exceptional value and service. Terrylynn can be reached at 925 876-0966, email at homes4u@e-RealEstate4u
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