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Preparing a Home For Sale ~ Do You Go Above and Beyond?

By
Real Estate Agent with Front Gate Real Estate Broker 11085

One of the things I love about my job is helping sellers prepare their home for sale.

After several consultations with my seller client, he is making repairs to his condo prior to putting it on the market. I stopped by to observe the progress and lend advice. One thing led to another, and the next thing I know, a paintbrush is in my left hand and I'm cutting in around the stairs.

Painting is a passion and I'm really very good at it (if I do say so myself). My client took this photo to show that I do what needs to be done to get a house ready for sale. I don't mind getting my hands dirty.

Once the paint is dry and the unit is clean, we'll be staging this unit for sale. I'll borrow from friePainting Pat Starnesnds and my private collection to furnish the living areas to show the condo in its best light. 

I can stage a home with little to no money by using what I have. Once the unit is properly staged, I'll share photos when the listing goes live.

We could have hired a professional stager, but in this case the seller opted for my assistance. The seller is helping with free labor (transportation) so we will have this unit on the market in no time.

Fixing and staging is something I'm passionate about. I've been "fixing" homes for years, both for myself and by advising sellers I represent. It's rewarding to see the results. The sellers love it, especially when the SOLD sign is placed in the yard.

Instead of waiting for someone else to remedy a situation, I take matters into my own hands. There are advantages to thinking outside the box. 

If you've considered selling your home in the Jackson metro area and want to consult on preparing your home for sale, call me. I'll be glad to make recommendations based on my years of experience in the real estate business.

 

Comments(10)

Erika Rae Albert, Austin Real Estate Expert
E-Rae Realty - Austin, TX
Exceeding Expectations in Every Transaction

As I am currently in the process of purchasing a couch, and enlisting a friend with a truck to help me move said couch into a house I am staging- I can't help but wonder is it really worth it?  Ultimately, I think it is.  Each listing is a reflection of the agent, and I too want to be knwn as the agent that goes above and beyond!

Jun 25, 2017 12:00 PM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

You are just awesome.  How nice of you to get in there and just get it done!

Jun 25, 2017 12:47 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Nice of you to do that Pat. Many sellers do not have the money and doing a few small things can make a world of difference.

Jun 25, 2017 07:12 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Pat you are amazing, I am all about the sellers doing what it takes and it all depends on what their budget can afford. I had some awesome sellers that did the right thing, fix minor things and touch up some other minor things and mostly declutter...Endre

Jun 25, 2017 08:35 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good Morning Pat - now that is really out of the box thinking.  Your clients must really love you.

Jun 26, 2017 05:39 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Erika Albert ~ Thank goodness our friends help when we need it! I'm borrowing tables from my best friend. They were stored in her attic. Bless her husband for bringing them down yesterday. :) Do I think it's worth going the extra mile? Absolutely!

Jun 26, 2017 11:52 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Debbie Reynolds ~ This seller has had a lot of expense with his home, and he is a former client, so I don't mind helping at all.

Grant Schneider ~ I sure hope so. 

Belinda Spillman ~ Thank you for saying that.

 

Jun 26, 2017 12:04 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Endre Barath, Jr. ~ Thank you for saying so. I am often asked what sellers can do to spruce up before the sale. It's amazing when they take our advice. 

Jun 26, 2017 12:05 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That "fixing and staging" can pay dividends to the seller, Pat!  When I bought my current home in 1983, I had to view it 4 times before I got the courage to make an offer.  Finally, on my last visit I brought graph paper, and divorced myself from the seller's clutter  old shag carpet and wallpaper.  I used the graph paper to pencil in my own furniture and belongings.  I made a "To Do List" for things needing to be completed before I could move in.  Surprisingly, I realized that this house was only a cosmetic fixer.  It had a new roof, new exterior paint, and a new HVAC system.  After close of escrow, I removed the wall paper and painted.  Then I removed that ugly orange shag carpet and found perfect hardwood floors beneath.  My point to all this is, I am a Realtor, and I even had difficulty looking through clutter, debris, and other significant cosmetic events.  So, imagine what the average homebuyer must perform in mental gymnastics to get beyond it.

Jun 26, 2017 03:46 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

My last house was equally as distasteful, Myrl Jeffcoat. It had a lime green bedroom, a purple bathroom, dark green kitchen, no flooring in hallway, and cat urine (dried) everywhere. The price reflected the condition. Don't you know it was right up my renovating alley! :) But you're right... buyers do NOT want to pay for these changes and it's hard to see beyond what needs to be done. Better to do it before it goes on the market to get a better, quicker sale. 

Jun 26, 2017 06:08 PM