Special offer

Please update if you want the equity out of your house.

By
Home Stager

 

I know... I know .... why should you invest more money when the buyers are just going to come in and make changes.

The answer is simple .... to sell as quickly as possible and for the best possible price!

I met a couple today who have lived in their home for 20+ years. They are selling in hopes of finding the perfect retirement community. Wanted ... one floor bungalow or ranch on a moderately sized lot.

When they moved in they made changes to their home like installing some wonderful hardwood. Their decor is very 'country' early 90's.

It was hard for them to hear that their home may not have broad appeal to today's buyers. They are not eager to remove wallpaper and wallpaper borders to paint.

These sellers need to listen because their town has a lot of new development. Buyers can choose from new builds and many recently built homes with all the latest 'I wants'. Their immediate neighborhood's draw is the lot sizes and the mature trees. Sellers of older homes need to update paint, kitchens and bathrooms. Harvest gold isn't going to cut it!

Sellers must realize they are competing in a tough market these days. Sellers must meet Buyer expectations or get left on the shelf.

 

Posted by

Retired Home Stager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (10)

Sophia Lin
Intero Real Estate Services - Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale CA Real Estate Specialist

I totally agree with you Janice, a Seller in this market definitely has to step it up and update to be competitive in this market!

Oct 19, 2011 01:16 PM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Spot on Janice - it's not about personal taste, it's about appealing to the masses and looking at your home like a product because now that you are selling it, it is. A little elbow grease and a few bucks can be the difference between a quick sale at or close to asking price or sitting on the market!

Oct 19, 2011 02:24 PM
Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.
eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC
Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

Hi Janice,

right on the money, in more way than one.... sellers that are committed to sell, need to also commit to get the property in the possible condition to sell it or discount the asking price by 2-3 times the hard cost of the upgrades.

Oct 19, 2011 03:30 PM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Janice--you are so right.  I just had a conversation with a client today for whom I did a consult months ago.  They had lived in their condo for 22 years and it was very dated.  My list of things to update was extensive.  They opted not to do any work and to take two more price reductions.  They sold to someone who gutted the entire unit, installed hardwood floors, new cabinetry, etc.  She was shocked.  She said, "They did everything you recommended that we do." (Actually I didn't recommend that they gut the entire unit!).  Took them 9 months to sell and cost them nearly $100K in price reductions. 

Oct 19, 2011 08:22 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Glad you agree Sophia!

Oct 20, 2011 03:20 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

That's right Kristine. Sellers must see their home as a house ... a product.

Oct 20, 2011 03:22 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Peter and Linda, I hope sellers listen to your wise advice.

Oct 20, 2011 03:23 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

100K ouch! Just think most of that could have been in their pocket if they had listened to you.

Oct 20, 2011 03:24 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

That's right Valerie. It is a 3 part equation and they should factor them all into their decision.

Oct 20, 2011 03:26 AM