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Preparing Your House For Sale Doesn't Have To Be A Dirty Job

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

cleaning fish

 

Preparing a house for sale is not an easy job.

But...it can be made much easier with some help from an experienced professional.

With professional advice the process of preparing your house for sale is not only easier, it's faster and involves less stress! 

You've heard the expression  

 

 

It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it.

 

When that "someone" is an experienced professional, it's not such a dirty job after all.

Let's use cleaning fish as an example. When you have someone experienced, someone with the right tools and skills, the process is fast and clean. It's like watching a master artist at work.

On the other hand....someone who has never cleaned a fish, or has only done it once or twice will take a much longer time and their results will be far from impressive. They will no doubt be left with a bloody mess and bones in their fish. 

 

A bit of a stretch as an analogy for Home Staging, I know. 

The point is....

Most sellers are completely overwhelmed at the process of preparing a house for sale and have no idea where to even start.

No idea what should stay and what should go. What exactly is clutter?

No idea how to highlight their house's positive features and minimize their house's negative features.

No idea whether to make improvements or offer an allowance.

No idea how many little details in their home could be red flags to potential buyers.

No idea how to create a perceived impression of vaue throughout their house.

 

Attempting to get the job done without professional assitance can be very stressful, for the sellers, their family, and the their real estate agent.

A two-hour Home Staging Consult provides a plan of action, outlining everything the seller should do, with specific instructions on how and why each thing should be done.

Armed with this information sellers can work faster, saving both time and money. The most important thing is that they are no longer as stressed.

 

Home Staging Consults take what was once overwhelming and make it completely manageable.

Comments(26)

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

Sharon this is so very true - many sellers are simply overwhelmed by the prospect of even beginning to get their home ready for market. Excellent advice to hire a professional and let them quide you through the process!

Jul 17, 2017 12:18 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

A detailed plan of action is exactly what most sellers need. That way they don't need to think or stress, Sharon. Can simply do.

Jul 17, 2017 12:21 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sharon- well said (as always) When you're getting ready to put your home on the market, it can all be overwhelming. Where do you start? How much do I remove? Call in a professional. 

 

Jul 17, 2017 12:48 PM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

So many people are completely overwhelmed by this task.  Hiring the right stager to help them through the process is key.

Jul 17, 2017 01:58 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Anna Banana Kruchten, CRS  And for those that require more than guidance, there is full staging where the stager does all the work! 

Nina Hollander  No more guesswork and wasted time and money. Follow the plan!

Kathy Streib  Thank you. There are far too many things that I know are easier if I just make a phone call....usually cost less in the long run too!

Belinda Spillman  Having the right professionals, both stager and agent, is key to a fast and profitable sale!

 

Jul 17, 2017 02:07 PM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Sharon - You're so right. While some things may be obvious, there is so much else that an average homeowner might not think of that can have a significant impact. Advice at this stage can be invaluable.

Jul 17, 2017 03:28 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Dick Greenberg  I wish I got paid extra every time a seller or agent said "I would never have thought of that!"

Jul 17, 2017 05:38 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Sharon Tara ,

For some sellers the whole process of getting their home ready for market can be so overwhelming! The best course of action is call in a professional to eliminate the stress.

Jul 17, 2017 06:46 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

We have found that if we work short periods on each project they seem to get done a lot faster than trying to do it all at one time Sharon Tara 

Jul 17, 2017 10:43 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I agree with the comment left by Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®, .  I have found that things get done when I break projects down into time segments.

Jul 18, 2017 03:31 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sharon, I know some Sellers are completely overwhelmed and don't know where to start.  GREAT post.

Jul 18, 2017 07:17 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

It would be such a wise move for people to hire you when getting their home ready for sale and they will be so happy when their home sells for top dollar or above!

Jul 18, 2017 10:49 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

People may try and save money on certain projects. Sometimes it just isn't worth it. Hire a professional and relieve the stress and hard work.

Jul 18, 2017 01:34 PM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Hi Sharon Tara, I read an article yesterday regarding Home Staging and how the homes that are staged by professionals sell faster and for more money.You've offered some great advice.
 

Jul 18, 2017 07:03 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Dorie Dillard  The problem becomes motivating those sellers that feel to overwhelmed to move forward. Too often they just give up.

Jul 19, 2017 07:35 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®,  One room, or even one closet, at a time. The success from that one little project will motivate them to move forward to larger areas.

Jul 19, 2017 07:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Myrl Jeffcoat  Baby steps. One bite at a time!

Joan Cox It's so much easier when you know exactly what to do and don't have to think about it.

Brian England  That's right....more people should be hiring me! What is wrong with them????

Jane Peters  Although I have a very capable handy guy for a husband, there are still projects that require a professional. Even he admits it.

Beth Atalay  It is amazing just how many homes are still so poorly marketed.

 

 

Jul 19, 2017 07:40 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Sharon --- proper fish cleaning and home staging belong in the able hands of those with the right experience.   Anything else may end up more than a little smelly.  

Jul 19, 2017 08:14 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Michael Jacobs  Oh I see what you did there. Very clever. 

Jul 19, 2017 12:25 PM
Lee Keadle
Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Keadle Real Estate Group

In a strong sellers' market, it can be tempting to take the "list it and see" approach where you go as is to market and hope for a quick sale.  However, if this doesn't work, you've lost precious time and the initial appeal of a new listing.  It's best to get your home 100% show-ready BEFORE you list it!

Aug 16, 2017 06:20 AM