Most readers have heard of "speed dating". An event where singles meet each other for three to five minutes, get an idea of if this person is interesting, and then move on to the next person to see how they compare. Those of us lacking quick wit or knock-out looks may be intimidated by this dating process. Nerves may take over and all of a sudden we're a wall flower at the junior high dance again. Talk about pressure! This past month our daughter was looking for a property and sent us a list of 45 potential homes to tour. "Which ones should I see?" In less than an hour my dear hubby had cut the list to five, these were toured and an offer made that day. Lesson one: If rooms look cluttered or dated or your photos aren't great quality - you aren't ready to sell. Never mind that everyone's mom told them not to judge a book by it's cover -- they will. You wouldn't show up at for a speed date in your duds from 1995 -looks matter. Declutter, update and have great photos. (Over 90% of home buyers shop on line). May sound basic, but if you do, you'll already be beating out 85% of the competition. 2010 studies showed that listings with great photos sold for more than listings with point and click camera photos. Lesson two: If you aren't fascinating, they're going to move on. People shop for homes with logic - but a home that shows a desirable lifestyle and is easy to "fall in love" with will get more attention. You may think looking good is enough, but there's got to be more to hold home buyer's attention. Little known factoid: The average length of a home showing is three to six minutes. Never mind that you spent more time getting ready for the showing than most women spend giving birth to their first child. They're going to be zooming in and out unless you stand out as the best AND tug on their heart strings too. Lesson Three: You better have them at hello. Curb appeal, first impressions, call it what you want -- but it is key. Home buying decisions are made within the first 20 seconds of entering a property. If the outside shows repair issues or is mossy and dirty, a subconscious image of poor maintenance is already forming. Walk in the front door and I tell my clients this viewpoint is the "big wow". If it isn't that way, we better make it that way. More important than breath mints on a first date, your first impression needs to be memorable. Lesson Four: Professional help is affordable and worthwhile.Sometimes we need that older sister to give us a few dating pointers, and maybe your home needs a professional stager who knows the ropes. A recent survey by Homegain shows a huge return on investment for $$ spent utilizing a stager's expertise. Thinking your home can't stand the pace of a speed date? A professional home stager has the expertise to transform ordinary to extraordinary. If you are selling your home in 2011 — you can’t change the market, the competition or your location. You CAN create a better presentation and your home will attract the attention it deserves! Margaret Oscilia is a Professional Home Stager with Creative Concepts - Home Staging and Contracting serving Salem Oregon and surrounding areas who specializing in helping home sellers stage to sell or re-design to live well. Selling your home in 2011 is a whole lot like speed dating.
I love the Home Gain survery, great for a seller that needs to be convinced how much little things help
Margaret -- Super analogy. First impressions are everything....and you only have a few seconds to make that impression and keep the buyer engaged.
Margaret, what a great reblog this will be. Where did you get the three to six minute data? I want to use that figure.
When I got into the business my biggest complaint was people wanted to spend weeks, months, years looking at EVERYTHING in their price range. Then I moved to Naples...now people barely want to spend anytime at all looking at real estate. I have a customer coming in 3 weeks...he will give me 1 hour and wants to see 3....period. You can guess...I will be VERY selective on which 3 I show.
GREAT POST!
Shannon Lefevre, PA
Margaret, this is one of the best posts I've read in a while. I went to re-blog, and ARGHHHH - not available! I love your comparison to speed dating - priceless, and so true!
Your analysis is pretty cute. Clever post. Thanks for the list of things to do! I loved reading it.
You are oh so clever-never thought to use this analogy but it is just too perfect! Great post girlfriend!
Glad your husband was able to reduce the size of the list, it also helps to know you clients needs & wants. Congratulations on the being a feature post.
Margaret, house selling= speed dating is great. The key here is 45 homes! The sellers have to understand a buyer will not look at 45 homes in person. I am going to use your points and I too would love to borrow your husband for the shake down.
Yesterday morning I headed out for two occupied staging jobs, lunch with an agent and a consult - it was a 13 hour day and I came home to find that this post had been featured and all of your wonderful comments too! Thanks for stopping by and reading . . . I'll be catching up on your posts too and appreciate the feature. Gotta get my paperwork done so the houses I visited yesterday are ready for their dates!
Great post Margaret! If the home is staged and the photos on MLS are fantastic then the home will get more traffic, will sell quicker and sometimes even for more money. You've got to spend money to make money....stageing helps sell the dream and envokes the positive emotion home buyers are looking for. Home buyers are tired of looking at foreclosures and dumps. People want move in ready...and when they are spending that kind of money the home better make them feel good while touring it! I still get the remark, "we can't afford to stage"! My answer is always the same, "You can't afford not to!" Spend a couple of thousand on a quality staging or drop your asking price by $10K???? Thanks for the post Margaret!
Margaret - Very valid points made here and lessons should be learned.. This is why I take so much care in my photography of my listings.. it alwasy pays off..
Love this post my friend. I am giving a talk to sellers who are preparing their homes for the Spring market next week at the local library and I'll pass this along with credit to you. Thanks... !!!
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