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Do I need to Stage in this Seller's Market? Staging in Burlington

By
Home Stager

Right now we have what is called a Seller's Market in Burlington. There are fewer homes on the market and lots of buyers. Prices are rising and buyers are competing for homes. 

 

This may lull Sellers into the old 'I don't need to do anything' attitude. But that would be a mistake. 

No matter what type of market it is, Buyers want value for their money.

 

Make sure your home says I'm worth that higher price you have to pay.

 

Make sure your home says I'm in good shape and a safe buy to the Buyer who may have to remove all conditions, like home inspection, to win that bidding war. 

 

Show those Buyers a clean, well maintained home

Update things like light fixtures, appliances, taps, sinks. 

Make those repairs that you have learned to just walk past. 

Show off the features of your home. 

Buyers still want to see spacious rooms, lots of natural light and ample storage. 

You still need appealing MLS photos that show off the features of your home.

 

Don't be lulled into thinking the Buyer is only going to come in and change everything. IF your Buyer had to extend themselves to get into your home they won't have the ability to make changes for a while. 

 

Buyers want move-in condition

 

Be the house multiple Buyers want!

 

Stage your home.

Posted by

Retired Home Stager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (19)

Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Janice I agree - just because there may be a sellers market going it is not the time to take the pedal off the 'staging' gas! Full speed ahead and it may just bring in multiple offers over list.

Mar 30, 2017 12:05 PM
Janice Ankrett

So glad you agree Anna Banana Kruchten, CRS ! Let's face it, if you want those multiple offers over list you do the work.

Mar 30, 2017 01:43 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I totally agree, Janice. Just because inventory is low and demand is high does not mean sellers can slack off on properly preparing their homes for the market.

Jeff

Mar 30, 2017 04:17 PM
Janice Ankrett

That's right Jeff Dowler . Value for their money rules with buyers.

Mar 30, 2017 06:10 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Janice,  This is spot on!  Sellers thinking they don't need to do anything because the market is hot could not be more flawed in their thinking.  Buyers want value in all markets ... especially a hot seller market. 

Mar 30, 2017 05:19 PM
Janice Ankrett

Kathleen Daniels it's hard enough to compete with other Buyers. As you say, Buyers want value in all markets.

Mar 30, 2017 06:13 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Janice- this is so true.  Some sellers may give a sigh of relief and feel that they don't have to prepare their home as they might in a buyer's market.  However buyer's want to see the value in their purchase.  They need to know that they are making a wise investment. 

Mar 30, 2017 06:21 PM
Janice Ankrett

Well said Kathy Streib . That perceived value is so important.

Mar 31, 2017 06:34 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes, just because inventory is limited, doesn't mean buyers don't care about condition. Staging is still important.

Mar 31, 2017 03:38 AM
Janice Ankrett

Kat Palmiotti perceived value is still important for sure.

Mar 31, 2017 06:32 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Janice Ankrett .

I agree..buyers want value even in a seller's market! Just because inventory is low and demand is high does not mean sellers should not properly prepare their homes for the market.

Mar 31, 2017 04:33 AM
Janice Ankrett

Buyers always want value for their money Dorie Dillard , maybe more so if they got caught up in a bidding war.

Mar 31, 2017 06:31 AM
Mick Michaud
Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX
Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

Absolutely.  Set your house up to be the house everyone wants. 

Mar 31, 2017 05:46 AM
Janice Ankrett

Yes Mick Michaud , the more interest you create the better and faster the process goes.

Mar 31, 2017 06:28 AM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Janice Ankrett "Make sure your home says I'm in good shape and a safe buy to the Buyer who may have to remove all conditions, like home inspection, to win that bidding war."

Right on target - and - re-blog!

Mar 31, 2017 06:02 AM
Janice Ankrett

So glad you agree Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers ! Thank you for the re-blog!

Mar 31, 2017 06:27 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good mornng, Janice Ankrett "the eye buys" is the one phrase every homeowner must remember.... the competition is keen today.... make that home shine!

Mar 31, 2017 06:08 AM
Janice Ankrett

You are so right Barbara Todaro , the eye does buy!

Mar 31, 2017 06:25 AM
Beth Bromund
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Rochester, MI
REALTOR (248) 651-3500

I agree completely.  Additionally, sellers still want their home to be number one to a potential buyer.

Mar 31, 2017 07:04 AM
Janice Ankrett

Sellers should want to be high on buyers to see list for sure Beth Bromund 

Mar 31, 2017 07:42 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Here we learn that Janice is ready, willing & able to be of good service

Mar 31, 2017 07:40 AM
Janice Ankrett

Yes I am Richie Alan Naggar . Thanks!

Mar 31, 2017 07:42 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

You're right that sellers seem to shrug this off when inventory is scarce until they become the ugly duckling in the MLS. The 'shoulda, woulda, coulda' did a little something to the house.

Mar 31, 2017 11:13 AM
Janice Ankrett

Yes, Lyn Sims , sellers remorse over a stale listing is not good.

Mar 31, 2017 01:53 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Regardless of the market, I usually refer listings if the seller isn't on board to take advantage of my experience and follow my formula for a quick sale, which includes staging.

Mar 31, 2017 12:14 PM
Janice Ankrett

Thanks for supporting Staging Margaret Woda !

Mar 31, 2017 01:51 PM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Regardless of the market first impressions very often make the sale. When I go my new Lexus in December it was an exterior color I wasn't thinking about. Once I saw the reddish brown interior it was a done deal. Works with homes too.

Mar 31, 2017 12:43 PM
Janice Ankrett

Good analogy Joe Pryor !

Mar 31, 2017 01:50 PM
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

You are absolutely right, Janice Ankrett ! Thank you for your blog!

Apr 01, 2017 08:20 AM
Janice Ankrett

So nice that you agree Susie Kay !

Apr 01, 2017 01:05 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Yes Janice, I couldn't agree more! The goal is always to net the most amount of money for the seller - in a slow and in a super fast market. Staging helps accomplish just that. 

Apr 01, 2017 07:22 PM
Janice Ankrett

You are right Andrea Bedard . The goal is to net the most amount of money in the shortest possible time!

Apr 02, 2017 08:33 AM
Cheryle Brown-Williamson
Just the Right Touch Home Staging & Interior Redesign - Anaheim, CA
Home staging in Orange & LA county, interior redes

Yes, I agree. All homes hitting the market need a little TLC. Staging is very important in any market.

Apr 03, 2017 08:38 PM
Janice Ankrett

Yes it does Cheryle Brown-Williamson ! Perceived value is always important.

Apr 04, 2017 11:03 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Excellent advice! You hit the nail on the head with this advice! Congratulations on the well deserved feature!

Apr 05, 2017 10:10 AM
Janice Ankrett

Thank you Sharon Tara ! Getting the feature was a nice surprise!

Apr 05, 2017 01:06 PM
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Now is a great time for sellers to sell their house at top dollar. Motivated buyers pouncing on a shortage of homes. However, staging is still important to stand out from the rest and get buyers to fall in love with the home.

Aug 03, 2017 02:20 PM
Janice Ankrett

True Dave Halpern . Buyers need to see the value when they are competing in a bidding war for a house.

Aug 04, 2017 05:47 AM