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Home Stager "Tips for Sellers" Who Have Fear in an Uncertain Market

By
Home Stager with Transitional Designs, LLC

 

Recent conversations with potential sellers have made me realize an undercurrent of fear in placing property for sale in an uncertain market. Clients have noted that they are worried about spending the necessary money to get their property prepared and ready for the market, spend time hiring an agent, live with the chaos and stress of open houses and showings and then take the chance the home will sit for months. All of this uncertainty is realistic in the current market but there is hope.

I inform my clients that people are buying houses! In order to stand out from the crowd, the seller needs to be proactive to become the leader of the pack. Here are some suggestions:

q       Create a team-this should include you, a great agent, a home stager, a contractor or other professional to make any needed repairs, a home inspector for a pre-inspection and any other professional whose services can assist you (plumber, electrician, painter, etc)

q       Take charge-you will need to do more than place a sign in the yard. Understand that you do control your outcomes so trust your instincts and the professionals you hire.

q       Find a great agent-interview as many as it takes to find a knowledgeable, professional agent that you are comfortable with and who is willing and able to save you time and make you more money, then listen to their advise!

q       Hire a professional stager-you need a professional team to counter the risks of the current market and a professional stager knows the desires of the buyers. Take advantage of their experience and successes.

q       Make repairs and updates-it is the details that make all the difference in making your home "move in ready." Paint is cheap and removing wallpaper is free.

q       Set a realistic price-sale quick rather than sit and wait and waste your interested buyers.

q       List beautiful photos online-take advantage of the power of the internet. Do some research to find additional tips on preparing your home.

A terrific team will give you sound advice and take the FEAR out of selling your home. Knowledge is power and you too can sell-even in an uncertain market.
Jackie Peraza
Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC - Framingham, MA
Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

Cheri - You're points are right on target.  Pricing is an important factor.

Jackie

Sep 25, 2007 02:39 PM
Cindy Lin
Staged4more School of Home Staging - South San Francisco, CA
Host, The Home Staging Show podcast

Very simple yet important advices! I especially resonate with the team part. You can't do it along in a real estate transaction!

Cheers,

Cindy 

Sep 25, 2007 04:27 PM
Betty Haney
Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB
Cheri, great advice for any seller - not just the frightened ones.  I especially like the team advice and making sure you have great photos.  Betty  (I don't know what I was thinking when I typed Cindy instead of Cheri - sorry!  I have edited and fixed!)
Sep 25, 2007 05:18 PM
Calie Waterhouse
Chandler, AZ
Community Builder
Great list, Cheri.  Thanks for sharing your insight.  I think a team is a great idea - and as it has turned out, it's been quite profitable too.  Thanks - Calie
Sep 26, 2007 12:29 AM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager
CherI:  Beautifully written post - teamwork takes the fear out!  Julie
Sep 26, 2007 01:07 AM
Cheri Dueker
Transitional Designs, LLC - Saint Louis, MO
Transitional Designs, LLC, Home Staging St. Louis
Hi everyone-this post came from the direct advice I gave to a client on Monday nite. She just keeps postponing the actual listing-too many variables, Of course-she already has a homes stager:) Thanks for stopping by
Sep 26, 2007 01:40 AM
Anonymous
Jesse

Its me!!!!! You are right on with that, the fear is the key!!!  It is a daunting world your first time out with home selling.  Thanks always with your great advice!!!! 

 

Hugs-

Jesse jo

Sep 28, 2007 02:01 AM
#7
Cheri Dueker
Transitional Designs, LLC - Saint Louis, MO
Transitional Designs, LLC, Home Staging St. Louis
Jesse: Welcome to the Rain! Thanks for stopping by
Sep 28, 2007 02:41 AM
Anonymous
Karen Dembsky, Atlanta, GA Home Stager
Cheri -- great advice; nice and simple -- you should post this on localism as well, if you haven't already!
Sep 30, 2007 04:16 AM
#9
Cheri Dueker
Transitional Designs, LLC - Saint Louis, MO
Transitional Designs, LLC, Home Staging St. Louis
Karen: I did post to Localism although I can never find my posts there after I post to them. Thanks for stopping by
Sep 30, 2007 05:03 AM
Juliet Johnson
Vizzitopia - St Johns, FL
Jacksonville Photography & Digital Marketing

Me neither.  I have never seen any of my stuff there ever again!

As to your excellent post - lots of great advice.  Especially this: - a seller really must get the home in tip-top condition.  It's not like they'll get lower offers.  In our market out here, poorly conditioned homes just don't get shown at all.  You can forget about an offer altogether.

 

Sep 30, 2007 02:44 PM
Cheri Dueker
Transitional Designs, LLC - Saint Louis, MO
Transitional Designs, LLC, Home Staging St. Louis
Juliet: Many of my agents say they tell homeowners the same things I do but sellers are more willing to listen to me-guess they see value in my opinion if they are spending money. As for Localism-I often think it is because I have a low point score compared to many others so their posts rank higher than mine. My goal for the week is to get some press releases written and sent to the local press. Thanks for stopping by...
Sep 30, 2007 03:24 PM