It’s no secret that sellers are going above and beyond to really make their properties outshine the competition, namely by staging and renovating the home. As I’ve discussed in previous blogs, Pittsburgh’s real estate market is in fairly good shape comparatively speaking, but there are still ways to improve the chances of your home selling in even the healthiest of markets. Staging and renovation might just be the answer to selling quicker, and improving your chances of scoring more interest…
Now you see it, now you don’t. It’s difficult for a lot of people to envision themselves and their décor in a home for sale. Spatial concepts aren’t the average buyer’s forte, and it’s something that takes practice and a natural talent. Keeping this in mind, staging becomes a great option if you’re selling your home and you’re not sure what is preventing buyers from seeing your home’s full potential. Designers and staging specialists have a trained eye for spatial and decorative potential, often knowing what to do just by entering a room, finding the key elements that work, finding those that do not, and devising a preliminary mental plan to transform the space into something palatable. Re-designing or renovating to stay in the home is different than renovating or staging to sell.
Less is more. Clutter and knick-knacks make it IMPOSSIBLE to see the space for what it is. Instead, buyers are studying the collectibles that crowd every flat surface when they should be concentrating on bigger matters. Everyone has her own personal taste, and when living in your home, it should be employed, but, do yourself a favor and leave some space for buyers’ imaginations to operate. Though unfortunate, it’s hard for people to not assume things based on how sellers leave their home for public viewing. If there is a mess stuffed into cubby holes in the entrance hall, or a mish-mash of trinkets and toys overflowing from trunks and containers, it’s easy to feel like the house is untidy or unkempt most of the time. Yes, this is something that shouldn’t play a part in a buyer’s decision, but once that first impression is made, it’s hard to banish it in the name of objectivity. And it certainly goes without saying: CLEAN UP! There is no excuse for a mess. Anyone who truly wants to sell a house will do anything it takes. Keeping the property clean and tidy is the least one should do. Staging can’t occur until the floor is devoid of toys, clothes, books, dirty laundry, etc.
Walk softly and carry a big stick. Applying this principal to paint is important. If a room’s wall color is the first, and only thing, a buyer notices when they walk into a house, you have a problem. Colors should not come out and smack people in the face. Paint color is meant to be complementary to the décor, not a form of shock treatment. Please don’t get me wrong, I love color. Bright reds, yellows, and even cobalt blues can do the most amazing things to a room, but please, please, please use the advice of a professional when delving into wild territory. More often than not, sellers get excited and start painting with very creative colors, thinking that the space looks good to them, so it will definitely look good to potential buyers. Not the case. Think of the teenage girl who thinks that purple hair is a good idea. She does it herself and doesn’t have the professional advice to either deter her from this bad decision, or to be invested in the project’s successful outcome. Compare her to the Parisian woman walking her dog in 4-inch platform heels and designer cape with the same hair color. Why does she look better, even though her tresses are the same shade of purple? Because going bright and bold can be done as long as we have all of the elements working together and it’s done with taste, professional input, and with a keen eye for detail and design. That said, choose whatever shade you wish, just make sure that if it’s bold, be like the Parisian woman and do it under extremely tasteful supervision (e.g. staging specialist, designer, realtor with a staging certification, etc.). And no, your crafty neighbor does not count. Lastly, if you’re in doubt, leave it neutral. You may find it dull, but buyers will be able to work with possibilities, and when you’re painting a home for sale, your tastes must be synthesized with those looking to buy.
Time heals all wounds. So maybe your house has been on the market for quite some time now, and you’re wondering if it’ll ever sell. As the days, weeks, months, and possibly years, drag on, you’re starting to make calculations. If you’re entering your later years and you’re unsure of what the future holds (e.g. “What if we decide to stay after all? What if doesn’t sell? What if something happens to one of us and we decide that moving is too much a hassle in poor health?”), then you may be considering making a few age-appropriate renovations. These would include things like reducing the risk of bathroom injuries and making the kitchen space more maneuverable.
Bathrooms can be made safer with modern, chic décor. No need for clunky plastic ware! Shower railings can be nicely finished metals, and shower stools can be simple ledges of beautiful stone, marble, or tile that blend in with the surroundings. Manufacturers even have walk-in tubs with small doors that open so that climbing over the side is unnecessary. Raising counter heights to 36” (30”-32” is standard) helps to prevent bending over, and slip-resistant tile is ubiquitous these days.
Add more lighting throughout the home to aid in navigating dark hallways and recesses, and maybe install kitchen cabinets with moveable shelves. Just take the appropriate hooked instrument, grab onto a high shelf, pull the shelf down towards you, and then push it back to its rightful height when finished. No straining or overhead reaching necessary.
These are a few ways to make the home safer and age-friendly without making the house too customized for potential buyers.
“Renovation” can also come to include maintenance. So many homeowners do not keep their property well-maintained while living in it. When it comes time to sell, they are scrambling to fix things and stage simultaneously. It’s too much to do at once without losing one’s mind. Take the time every month to fix what’s necessary. This way, when it goes on the market, all you have to do is call a cleaning service, a home staging specialist, and sit back as the buyers coming rolling through. Some contractors marvel at what homeowners ask them to do at the last minute because basic maintenance has gone by the wayside. Fixing door handles and broken hinges; replacing rotted wood deck planks; re-sealing and re-grouting; replacing broken windows and doors; and pressure-washing are some easy things that make a big difference for not a lot of money. The same goes for appliances. Replace older appliances with newer. It’s worth the investment while you’re living in the home, and it certainly looks better to someone thinking about buying the property.
Trust me, I’m a professional. If you wanted your shirts dry cleaned, would you take them to the pet groomer? No. Dry cleaners clean shirts. Pet groomers clean animals. Unless you are a certified home stager, interior designer, decorator, or you’re the incarnation of David Nightingale Hicks, ask a pro for some help. You want your home to sell as quickly as possible? Then, shell out the few clams it takes to get the job done right the first time. Just like grandpa always said: “measure twice, cut once.” In modern day home seller’s terminology, that translates to: “Don’t mix hubris with HGTV. You will be sorry.”
Remember, renovating or staging to sell property is well worth the investment. It’s rare that a home can exist for decades or centuries and not have to be updated. If we maintain our homes and keep the machine well-oiled, we won’t be left overwhelmed when it comes time to sell. If we employ the experience of professionals in the process, things can go a whole lot smoother and faster, which is what every seller wants in this market.
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