Home Sellers if you already haven't, prepare to change.

Especially in the current state of the housing market (& limited numbers actually buying & those that are -are being extremely picky with what they are purchasing) seriously ask yourself this question; 

"Is it really going to hurt too much to make a few changes that can expedite the sale of my house?"

As a North Texas Home Staging Professional I am sometimes faced with clients who feel that;

  •  their homes
  •  their choices [whether cosmetic or structural] and
  • the way they are living is perfect for them so why change? 

Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!

It's time to stop focusing on how you live in YOUR house and get on with the business of selling this property to move into your NEXT home!

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Or deep down do you just really NOT want to sell this house?  And I am very serious.

Your short term pain of having to make some changes will result in long term gain, the successful sale of your home.

I'd like to help you get there.

Here are 10 Easy Changes to Improve the Marketability of your home

  1. Wall paper removed and paint colors changed
  2. Furniture removed, rented, re purposed &/or repositioned for optimal showing
  3. Turn a room back to it's INTENDED purpose (I don't care if the office works in your dining room and you have to move some cables around! A buyer needs to see the DINING ROOM - don't make them guess)
  4. Personal decorating choices removed(and yes even if you like those bottle caps glued to your game room wall and it's going to take you forever to remove - a buyer is thinking that 10 fold)
  5. Collections, excess "stuff" and anything you can live without for a time boxed and packed for your move
  6. Rent a temporary storage unit if necessary1-800-PackRat or PODS will come right to your door
  7. Spruce up the yard, mulch and plant some flowers, even if that means having to water them
  8. Get some updated fixtures [including dated fan kits] installed
  9. Clean, clean and clean some more- even if you have 6 kids, work and the dishes & laundry never get done - now is the time to get it done or hire someone who will.
  10. Keep the house in show ready condition at all times [the good news is that once you've done all the above, it will be easy to keep ready at a moment's notice!] and be flexible when showing

Still  need some assistance in marketing your property?

Proudly serving real estate consulting services to Collin County and North Dallas, Realtors, Sellers & Investors, ,  Home Star Staging is here for you Texas!Home Star Staging logo

 


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18 Comments on 10 Easy Changes to Improve the Marketablity of your Home

FEB
26
9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great list and I will print it off and use as a guide when discussing proper presentation of a home to the owners.  I just find that people are so comfortable in their own little world that they do not see their home through the eyes of an outsider or as I like to tell them "camera lens".  I have started recommending that they take a picture of their room from different shots and then upload to the computer.  What do they see?  Clutter, too large of furniture pieces, window obstructed by furniture, etc.  It is eye opening.  Great list and thanks for sharing!!

10:46am • #1
160,161 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Taking those photos are certainly eye opening! Great suggestion for your clients Connie and I'm glad you can use this list.

10:52am • #2
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Amen!

People are ALL EXPERTS at what they personally like or dislike.

Professional Stagers are EXPERTS at what the majoirty of Buyers like and dislike.

To choose not to access and utilize  the expertise of a stager's advice is just WHACK.

~Michelle

 

 

1:22pm • #3
142,823 Points Outside Blog

I second that AMEN!!!!! Maximize your selling potential with a professional stager. 

2:55pm • #4
117,159 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Karen -  you had me laughing with the bottle caps! And with having to water the plants! Really great list. I just think I might need to re-blog it. Awesome tips!

3:17pm • #5
160,161 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I like that Michelle, everyone is an expert at what we each like - a home stager is an expert at knowing what buyer's don't & do like (and sometimes the problem is they like YOUR stuff so much they forget about the house!)

Right on Cathy!

Thanks for reading Kim and feel free to re-blog!

3:22pm • #6

Great post, Karen!  Homeowners find it difficult to detach themselves from their homes, take the personal factor out of it and start thinking of it as a product on the market.

3:32pm • #7
186,361 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I'll third that AMEN.  These are great tips that will surely be helpful, Karen.  Thanks for sharing.

Kathy

4:31pm • #9
215,069 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

GREAT list!!  I hope the agents and sellers are listening!!!

5:57pm • #10
132,148 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks for compiling this list, Karen. I had a good laugh over the bottle tops too. I've seen some real strange things myself, like the pool table in the master bedroom (no bed, just a pool table). It was the largest room in the house and the only one where the pool table would fit. The sellers were absolutely certain that buyers would be able to imagine it as a master bedroom, never mind the pool table light they had installed in the middle of the room.

9:48pm • #11
FEB
27
Outside Blog

Great list Karen!  Helpful for many sellers.  It can be work preparing for market, but well worth the extra effort.  Hiring a stager to guide you through the process, keep you on task, and view the home objectively make the job easier.

5:39am • #12
160,161 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks Kathy!

Me too Melissa!

A pool table huh? I'm sure you  "cued" them in Michelle! (couldn't help it)

So true Michele we can be such an asset in the process and be objective - which is so important!

6:33am • #13

Karen, well done - that is a very good list, we all know the list but you put a twist on it that might get through to a few dense clients...  I especially liked the way you put the issue of the office in the dining room - move the darn cables! and the bottlecaps, I always tell them, "If you think it's too mcuh trouble, so will potential buyers and they will move on to homes that aren't."

11:58am • #14
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Excellent list for sure. Surprizingly, I had no trouble convincing a client recently that his whips and mounted boar head had to removed and the lime green walls painted.  Photos to follow cause I know some of you love to see the befores and afters.
Well I can show you the before now.....

12:19pm • #15
160,161 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Joanne - those inconvenicences for you are doubly dare I say monumentally inconvenient to a potential buyer!

Yowza Michelle! Glad you convinced the seller!

4:25pm • #16
FEB
28
417,417 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Karen,

I like the button!  No more excuses!  LOL

Mike in Tucson

9:41pm • #17
MAR
01

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Karen Otto, Home Stager, Plano, TX 469)964-0516 www.homestarstaging.com

Plano, TX

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Home Star Staging

Office Phone: (469) 964-0516

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As a North Texas Home Staging Professional this blog is a collection of information, thoughts, stories and ideas on the home staging profession as I personally experience it. I welcome comments and suggestions and hope I may help the home staging and real estate community in some way by my contributions on my blog. I am passionate about educating the public and real estate community on the benefits of home staging.


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