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Is Your Listing the Leftover Turkey?

By
Home Stager with Owner, The Refreshed Home White Plains NY

The Refreshed Home wonders if there is anything more cliched this time of year than leftover turkey that no one wants to see?

Oh. Right.

Old listings with little interest, and no offers. And sellers and agents who sit and twist their hands, bemoaning their state of affairs.

Channeling Cher, from Moonstruck, "Snap Out of It!"

Is your listing the leftover turkey? There are buyers and sellers out there, 24/7. Bidding wars are not urban myths, but you have to have the house buyers want.

Two things entice a buyer to act: Price, and condition. I'm not an agent, and will not discuss pricing except to say if it's not in line with the rest of the market, you're out. But condition....and conditionsare two things this Westchester County Home Stager is an expert on. Here are three conditions that guarantee buyers will pick over, but ultimately pass on your leftover turkey house.

Accompanied tours

If I were an agent, sellers being out of the house for Open Houses and showings would be addressed in the first meeting, and a non-negotiable part of my contracts, period. A buyer's time in a house is all about THEM. It's when their dreams come out and play; showing agents are there to listen, and answer any questions the buyers actually pose.

NOTHING makes buyers shut down and lose interest quicker than having to edit their thoughts, or listen to what the current owner thinks is important about the property. Sellers who stubbornly argue this point will probably never sell their house. Or it will drag on-grimly, grittily, and at considerable expense to the seller (price reductions and carrying costs) MORAL: If you really want to sell, let your agent do their job. Get. Out. Of. The. House.

Listing photos

We've all heard the stats, online searches are the very first things 90% of buyers do. If your listing photos are not the best they can be, guess what! CLICK! In seconds, they're gone, on to the next listing. Photographic quality is important, but subject matter comes first, and agent and seller are equally responsible.

Photos of under-lit, messy rooms, say volumes about how the agents run the rest of their business, and make me question how ready the seller really is to sell. It costs NOTHING to turn on a light, straighten a shade, clear off the counter, make the bed, or lower the toilet seat. Think about it. Better yet, do it.

Bad first dates

Ever have a first date where the other person obviously cared a lot less than you did? Maybe they looked or smelled like they got dressed out of the hamper, or their personal grooming was minimal. Perhaps they were late, or spent the entire time talking about themselves.

Whatever it was, it was clear the other person cared about themselves and their needs/interests more than you. It didn't feel good, and chances are there was no second date. It's the same way with houses. When a seller doesn't put a house's best foot forward, doesn't keep it neat, or make every effort to accommodate reasonable showing requests-buyers get the message. They will move ON, not IN.

There are SO many very simple things the average homeowner can do to improve the market position of their property. Talk to me today about getting your house noticed, and SOLD!

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Our spaces affect us profoundly...and so many other parts in our life fall into place when our spaces and possessions serve us in the best way they can. But getting there is much more than a pursuit of pleasing aesthetics.

 

Decorating and Staging are different, but much of the skill sets overlap, and each creates unique solutions that considers the needs, goals, resources, expectations, hopes and dreams of each client.

Bettering Westchester, Putnam and lower Fairfield counties since 1981, The Refreshed Home works collaboratively, and brings a thoughtful approach to the creative process. Proud to make a difference, as well as make a living. Offering specialty services such as remote and buyer consults, listing photo/video styling, guided and accompanied shopping, and accessory rental. We get in, get out, and you get on with your life.  Talk to me TODAY about how we can better your space!

  

                    

 

Marie Graham ASP, IAHSP, IDS Your Stager With A Mission!

QUESTIONS? Don't hesitate!! 914.607.2895 

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Comments (5)

Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

What a GREAT title.  What a GREAT question!  Suggested!  Buyers don't want your leftovers!

Nov 30, 2013 07:23 AM
Andrea Peters
The Andrea Peters Group powered by United Home Group @ Keller Williams Realty - College Station, TX
SOLD with Andrea!

This is great! 

Nov 30, 2013 10:36 AM
Marie Graham
Owner, The Refreshed Home White Plains NY - White Plains, NY
Westchester County Interior Decorator, Home Stager

Thanks, on both counts Sharon!

Andrea-nice to meet you, thanks for stopping by!

 

Nov 30, 2013 12:28 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Marie ~ no one wants their listing or home to be the Leftover Turkey!!  Home stagers to the rescue ... transform those ugly birds into beautiful peacocks :-)

Nov 30, 2013 03:18 PM
Broker Patty Da Silva Da Silva
Green Realty Properties® - 954-667-7253 - Cooper City, FL
Top Listing Broker

Thanks for sharing Marie. Excellent points. Suggested!

Dec 05, 2013 03:27 AM