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Two Questions You Must Answer BEFORE Listing Your House

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

If you want to sell your house in today's market, you must answer two questions before you list.  

owl1.  Who is your target buyer?

With your Realtor's help, based on their knowledge of your location and the size/style of your house, you must first determine who your target buyer is.

Market to that buyer's needs. Function of rooms, color choices, and furniture style and placement will all vary based on the age of your target buyer and whether they are single or have a family.  

 2.  Who is your competition?  

The competition is every seller in your area in the same price range.  Do a MLS search of all the listings in your price range and see how they compare to your house.  Once you know your competition, you can offer something that they don't.

Make your MLS photos stand out from the others.  If your photos convey space, value and a house that has been well maintained and cared for, they will attract potential buyers. 

Real estate is a competition...

   If you are informed and prepared, offer your target buyer what they are looking for, and make the best impression, you will be the winner. 

Comments (35)

Janna Scharf
Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Expert

Wise advice , as always.  Don't ever underestimate the value of home staging to add to your chance of quick success in getting your home sold. 

Jun 20, 2011 09:45 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sharon,

You are on a roll lately.  Your post are so well written and to the point...A

Jun 20, 2011 11:01 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Sharon, this is such a good post! Sellers seem surprised when I ask them who they will be selling to. After all we stagers like to create a home that will appeal to the right market.

Jun 20, 2011 11:49 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Sharon

Thanks for sharing the marketing tips, they are right on point.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jun 20, 2011 12:56 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Sharon,

Great post and I'm clicking suggest! As a Realtor, I appreciate tips like this. Thank you!

Patricia

Jun 20, 2011 04:07 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Janna:  And never underestimate the power of a good stager, LOL!

Alexandra:  Thanks for that...I'm not sure how much longer I will riding this roll though, LOL!

Janice:  I usually ask the agent what the target market is...they aren't usually as surprised by the question.

Lou:  Thank you!

Patricia:  Thanks for the suggest!  I'm glad you found the post worthy!

Jun 21, 2011 01:47 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Sharon, I find that most that most sellers that I consult with haven't put any thought into who will buy their house.  I always ask during the consultation and generally I get very mixed answers.  YES folks, knowing this IS important and your Realtor should be able to help you define your market.  Good post Sharon!

 

Jun 21, 2011 04:26 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Ginger:  I've had the same experience, the sellers often have no idea who their target buyer is.  I've never had an agent tell me they didn't know.  A good agent knows the neighborhood and knows which buyers will be interested in it.

Jun 21, 2011 07:40 AM
Rebecca McArdle
Stunning Staging & Redesign, LLC - Fort Wayne, IN

Very simple but excellent tips sellers should know!  Great post Sharon.

Jun 21, 2011 02:43 PM
Lydie Ouellet Dickinson
Realty Executives Tri County, Bellingham MA - Bellingham, MA
Realtor

Great top questions. I had to suggest it! Have a great week!

Jun 22, 2011 01:39 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Rebecca:  Thank you!

Lydie:  I appreciate it, thanks.

Jun 22, 2011 09:09 AM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

Great information Sharon!  Understanding the demographics of the likely buyers and catering the appearance of the home to what they want to see is a core part of staging and one of the reasons that staging is so effective in selling a home more quickly.  Thanks for the thought provoking questions!

Jun 22, 2011 01:45 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Melissa:  Thank you!  I know you understand all too well...your "staging to sold" statistics prove that!

 

Jun 23, 2011 04:20 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Sharon - Targeting the buyer is key, and I like the idea of researching other properties in the same area and price range and offering something they don't have.  That makes the house for sale memorable and unique.  Great post!

Jun 23, 2011 04:21 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sally:  Thanks!  It's very important to be memorable and unique!  I just read Peg's post about RainCamp and it appears you have a new raincoat!  

Jun 23, 2011 04:58 AM
Ana Hitzel
AccentPositives Home Staging - Corona, CA
Professional Home Stager Inland Empire

Great points all Sharon. Knowing your buyers is where it's at.

Jun 23, 2011 05:55 AM
Alicia Barrington
THE ORIGINAL HOUSTON HOME STAGING - Katy, TX
Houston Home Staging Presents Alicia Barrington

(Sorry I'm late to this party <G>) We try to create staging packages that appeal to the braodest selection of potential buyers.   But, sometimes we add subtle touches that target a specific demographic.   Knowing who the potential buyer might be, can make the difference in our merchandise selection, and that little bit of information can often lead to big results!  Yet, another great topic from our friend in New Hampshire!

Jun 24, 2011 02:19 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Ana:  Thanks!

Tom:  Sometimes just explaining to an older couple that their target buyer is a young family helps them to understand the reasoning behind what we are suggesting they do to prepare for sale.  Thanks for stopping by!

Jun 24, 2011 07:47 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Right on the money as usual!  Well said Sharon!

Jun 26, 2011 10:46 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Debra:  I appreciate it, thanks!

Jun 26, 2011 12:32 PM