Good Isn’t Good Enough in Today’s Housing Market
Too often when I question Realtors about their listings, they say, “All of mine look good!” and then they blame lack of sales on improper pricing—meaning, homeowners won’t list at a saleable price.
While of course pricing is key, the condition of the home is equally as important. And a good house that’s well priced isn’t going to be the one that sells if there’s an equally well-priced GREAT home in the neighborhood. Buyers today don’t have to settle for GOOD—they can, and they do, demand GREAT!
This house looked "good" enough to be listed...
But finally SOLD! in 5 days when it became “GREAT” after RE:STYLE’s staging:
This vacant house spent two years looking “good enough” on the MLS:
Then sold in 30 days after it was staged by RE:STYLE to become “GREAT”!
If your Realtor hasn’t suggested home staging, maybe that means they think your house is “good enough”; but wouldn’t you rather be “great”?
How to Go From Good To Great To SOLD!
Home staging is the key. As professional home stagers, we use “buyers’ eyes” to see the house the way prospective buyers do. Then, we let you know anything we observe that will inhibit a sale, or give a buyer an opportunity to knock down the price. A professional home stager will provide recommendations of how to correct these issues, and offer hands-on help as well as the names of trusted sources who will provide services they don’t, such as painting, countertop installation, etc.
You Don’t Want To Paint or Remove Wallpaper? Neither Do Buyers!
Today, the less work a buyer needs to do , the better. That’s why we recommend removal of all wallpaper, and neutralizing wall colors. These kinds of finishes are personal expressions of taste, and limit your buyer pool. “Why purchase the house with the dark red walls and blue wallpapered bath, when the one just up the street is neutralized, so that what I have now will go in it easily?” Today’s buyers are also often buying at the top of their budget—they don’t have money left over for purchasing new items to color coordinate with your leftover décor; they also don’t have the funds to do a lot of fix-up or deferred maintenance. Home staging companies, like RE:STYLE, will be able to give you many cost-effective solutions to help you update your house with minimal expense, and get it SOLD!
RE:STYLE, and many home staging companies, offer Project Management as a service to their clients. We have arranged for painters, carpenters, remodelers, and overseen their work stripping wallpaper, painting walls and ceilings, and installing cabinets, tile, granite, etc. We also select all the colors and materials, making it very easy for our clients who are busy with jobs, or those who live out of town, out of state, or even out of the country!
This “good” house sat on the market for 9 months before it became “GREAT” and was leased in 2 weeks after staging by RE:STYLE.
But You’re Short on Funds, Too…
Many sellers are bringing money to the closing table these days, We realize this, so as professional home stagers, we use our expertise to work with what you have, and turn liabilities into assets (or at least minimize their negative impact).
Blue countertops are not a desirable feature…but were considered “good enough” when the house was put on the market…and sat for 7 months. RE:STYLE staged them so that they became part of a fashionable color scheme, and now they look “GREAT”! Color this house SOLD—in 60 days!
We offer a very affordable “Walkthough Consultation” for those of you who have the time, the “eye”, and want a “Stage-It-Yourself” guide. We also offer a written consultation, if you prefer that option.
Home staging is all about showcasing the features of your home. It’s about the space, not the stuff. But when your "stuff" distracts buyers from experiencing the space—that’s where our knowledge and talent comes in. We rearrange the furniture, and will re-accessorize to add the “WOW” elements that your houses needs so that buyers become emotionally engaged.
This house went form “Granny” to “Great” with the help of RE:STYLE. It SOLD! in just 40 days—after already having been on the market for many months in “unstaged” condition:
It’s GREAT to Be SOLD!
Take matters into your own hands!
The best time to stage your house is before it ever gets on the market. You want your photos to be the best they can be, as looking at the pictures on the Internet listing sites is how 85% of the buyers choose what houses to visit. Look for yourself—and you you’ll notice what looks good, and what looks great!
About RE:STYLE LLC
RE:STYLE LLC is located in Brighton, Michigan, and helps homeowners &
realtors sell homes more quickly and more profitably by using proven staging
methods to ensure that listings appeal to a broad range of buyers. For more
information, please contact RE:STYLE at 810.333.5240 or visit
http://www.restylestaging.com.
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