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2011...The Year of the “Instant Gratification Buyer”

By
Home Stager with Revealing Assets - Home Staging Services

Over the past few years, we have seen a rising trend of buyers seeking out the “Move-in-Ready” properties. This is largely due to the fact that people are becoming more and more time-deprived. But, also, due to large amounts of inventory on the market at all times, buyers can simply be a lot more selective.

I have, however, come to a conclusion regarding the evolution of buyers, and have been witnessing a new, and growing, group of buyers for this coming year.

A new breed, if you will.

Throughout my daily work as a Professional Home Stager, I am in constant contact with buyers, sellers, and Realtors®. I also watch Real Estate activity like a hawk.

Today’s savvy, proactive, and educated buyer not only does their homework regarding market activity, but they also diligently watch Real Estate/Home Improvement/Home Staging television shows.

What does this mean?

Introducing the new face of the average buyer for 2011:

The buyers are seeking the “Move-in-AND-ENJOY-Ready” properties.

They have raised the bar on expectations, and are no longer satisfied with the “Move-in-Ready” properties. They want to see that the seller is merchandising an attractive lifestyle. The new buyer does not want to have to put forth any effort in order to envision enjoying their lives, daily activities, and personal interactions in their new “home”.

This means that it is no longer enough to simply update flooring, paint, and windows. The buyer will no longer tolerate being left to wonder what the space should be used for.

Vacant/empty spaces, and spaces filled with room-role functionally confusing furnishings and items simply frustrate buyers. Buyers today are making home-purchase decisions based on emotions and visualization.

Buyers simply do not have the time or patience to brainstorm over hidden-potential in properties. They want an absolutely finished product, not a product that “could be beautiful with a little bit of investment or elbow-grease.

The buyer craves a warm and inviting vignette within differing spaces.

They require that all guess-work is removed from the equation. Help the buyer immediately see the intended purpose of each space, but go further and create a practical, yet calming and inspiring vignette that captivates them.

 

    Before and After Photo of Home Staging Services provided by Revealing Assets - Home Staging and Decluttering Services in Edmonton, AB, Canada 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The electronic age we are living in allows buyers to sift through listings far quicker than ever, which helps them be incredibly choosy and selective. They will literally keep on clicking past listings until one captivates their senses, lures them in, and inspires them to dream.

How do sellers keep up with the growing demands of buyers?

How are sellers supposed to create these welcoming vignettes in their homes?

This is where Home Staging is now a necessary tool when selling a property. Professional Home Stagers are trained, experienced, and educated on what the current buyers in your specific target market(s) are longing to see and feel when viewing a property, both in photos and in person.

Posted by

Rhonda Wilson - CCSPTM
Owner/Operator of
Revealing Assets
Home Staging and Decluttering Services
http://www.RevealingAssets.ca
RevealingAssets@shaw.ca
780-913-5589 
We transform properties into highly
sought-after products that sell in half
the time and for 7-10% more money.
Through personal experience, extensive
research and training, and a compassionate
approach, we De-clutter living/work spaces for
up-lifting and positive life changes.

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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Show All Comments Sort:
Lisa Walston
Atlas Property Group and Abbey Church Properties - Greenwood, IN

I believe you're right about the impact of the HGTV genre. For several years now I've seen buyers wanting granie counter tops, stainless steel appliances and spa-type bathrooms all for $110,000! Hope your Realtor clients appreciate you!

Jan 15, 2011 06:08 PM
Cameron Novak
The Homefinding Center - 1000 Palms, CA
Real Estate Broker since 2008

Some buyers want instant gratification, but some others want to spend MONTHS finding it.

Jan 15, 2011 08:44 PM
Charles Edwards Bentonville
Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR
AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Excellent post. I agree that preparing a home for a timely and successful sale requires a sophisticated seller these days. The sophisticated seller is likely to at least consider aprofessional stager.

Jan 16, 2011 02:18 AM
Rhonda Wilson
Revealing Assets - Home Staging Services - Edmonton, AB

Hello Lisa! You are right. The buyers are also expecting to get more for less money. They are almost expecting to see top-of-the-line upgrades already in place, yet they want the price to be lower.

Cameron, I am sure that you find this even more when dealing with Short Sales. Your buyers probably seem to exhibit unrealistic expectations. When the price does not seem to match the presentation of the product being offered, the buyer gives up easily. This is a catch-22, because if sellers would spend some time on presentation (even on the short-sales), this would help to alleviate at least some of your stress that comes from fruitless showings. Thank you for stopping by!

Charles, thank you for your comments! 

Jan 16, 2011 06:55 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Well said Rhonda! I tell my clients to prepare for their pickiest buyer. The buyer that wants to move in on Friday, put their stuff away over the weekend and go to work settled on Monday. That buyer wants instant lifestyle to impress their friends or maybe they just don't have time to 'play' with a house.

Jan 16, 2011 06:56 AM
Rhonda Wilson
Revealing Assets - Home Staging Services - Edmonton, AB

Janice, you hit the nail on the head with the following sentence:  "The buyer that wants to move in on Friday, put their stuff away over the weekend and go to work settled on Monday."

Today's buyer wants to literally be able to pick up their current life, along with all of their personal effects, and simply be able to drop it into their new "home". No strings attached, no adjustments necessary. They are essentially seeking a "show-piece that speaks to them and lures them in".

Thank you for stopping by! Your feedback is always more than appreciated!

Jan 16, 2011 07:02 AM
Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

Awesome, Rhonda, buyers do have a very low tolerance . We still have a seller's market with multiple offers, but buyers need to understand how the space could/shoud be used.

Jan 19, 2011 04:37 PM
Rhonda Wilson
Revealing Assets - Home Staging Services - Edmonton, AB

Thank you for stopping by, Vickie! That is great to hear that you are in the midst of a Seller's market!! But, as you say, buyers will always crave those vignettes to help them envision their new "home".

Jan 19, 2011 05:09 PM