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NH Home Staging Tip - Before You Get On The Market, Get Market Ready

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

The importance of having quality pictures when listing your home for sale has been the subject of many blog posts.  For good reason.  MLS photos are typically the first opportunity you have for making a good first impression because most potential buyers begin their search for a new home online.  

In order to have good photos to market your property, you must first take the time to prepare.  Prepare each room to show space and function.  Prepare each room to be as visually and emotionally appealing as possible.  Take the time to prepare.

 

Many sellers mistakenly make getting on the market their priority when their priority should be getting market ready.

 

Listing your home prematurely, before it's "show ready" is basically sabotaging your own sale.  The act of rushing on the market could ultimately keep your home on the market longer than need be.  By the time you realize your mistake, the "days on market" clock is ticking away and price reductions are becoming more likely.

 

Taking the time to prepare, prior to listing your home, will save you time and money in the long run, increase your chance of selling and decrease your chance of price reductions.

 

Comments(38)

James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

The photo says things about the home you may miss.  You can use words to describe anything but the photo says volumes.  Good point thanks

Oct 30, 2014 08:09 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Sharon,

You are so right! Yesterday I spent part of the day setting up a schedule with my seller so we can get his home on the market. He needed an Energy Audit completed.....was done yesterday! Survey is ordered and will be completed next week. He interviewed pool companies as his pool needs to be re-plastered. Can't power wash or have the windows done until the pool is done. Then carpets clean and stager (meeting with him next Tuesday). Pictures upon completion.....all hinges on when the pool company can work him in.

Oct 30, 2014 08:53 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kimo:  Quite the invitation...not one I could ignore or refuse!  I will see you at the ball!  Thank you!

 

Oct 30, 2014 10:21 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Brian:  What!  You would let a few mice scare you away?  LOL!

Noah:  It's all about presentation and impression.  You have very little time to impress!  You must use that time wisely.

Rebecca:  A year of carrying costs can be very expensive!

James:  People make their decision to call for a showing based on the pictures....I'm not sure how some agents can justify using the pictures they use.

Dorie:  The ultimate professional....that is the way to get a home sold!

 

 

Oct 30, 2014 10:25 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Sharon, Sellers that wait and get it ready will get better results and a better price. A buyer see the potential with proper staging.

Oct 31, 2014 04:18 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Debbie:  It's so interesting to me that sellers "have to get it listed" like that's the same as getting it sold.  It makes no sense.

Nov 01, 2014 12:40 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Sharon, I love the dramatic difference after a few key changes in the room!

Nov 01, 2014 07:45 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sharon:  Removing extra furniture makes a huge difference.  If people only understood how the simplest changes can make dramatic results.

Nov 01, 2014 11:56 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Sharon, you made such a good point in this post.  Just recently, I witnessed a seller being pressured to get their home on the market ... but it was FAR from ready, since many cosmetic fixes had to be done first.  I was able to show them that it's far more important to have the best first impression, than rush and deal later with low offers and/or a big price reduction.

Nov 02, 2014 01:49 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Maureen:  Usually we can convince them once they realize they are choosing between offers and price reductions.

Nov 02, 2014 10:47 PM
Wendy Tomm
Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB
CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors

Great post.  So true and so many people get this wrong.  I mention this to all my clients as well.

Nov 10, 2014 04:38 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Wendy:  Your clients are lucky to have the good advice!

Nov 10, 2014 05:13 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Sharon as always you are spot on with this post, hope more people would listen and read your advice, Endre

Mar 10, 2015 12:33 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Sharon

It goes back to first impressions . . . . get the market ready for the first showing.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Mar 20, 2015 10:05 AM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Great tips, with the internet basically being the first appointment for many buyers, being picture ready is of the utmost importance.  

Apr 06, 2015 01:00 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Endre & Lou :  Thank you!

Morgan:  Thank you.  You would think that would be more obvious to sellers.

Apr 06, 2015 01:56 AM
The Julie Morales Team
RE/MAX Cinco Ranch - Katy, TX
Real Estate Questions? Call (832) 367-3412

I absolutely agree with you. It is all about the pictures and keeping your home as if it is the first day on the market even until the day you close. Great post!

Jun 04, 2015 01:21 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Julie:  Thank you!  

Jun 04, 2015 06:01 AM
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

So true Sharon!  So often we see home sellers trying to hit a target date to get on the market and they aren't well prepared!  Far better to prepare properly - loved your blog!

 

Oct 19, 2015 05:43 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Margaret Oscilia  Thank you!  It's always nice getting a comment on an older post!

Oct 19, 2015 06:05 AM