Hints for Sellers in a Buyers Market

It’s a buyers market, in recent months we have lowered the inventory but, we are still looking at more sellers then buyers.  Many sellers are struggling to make their property stand out from the crowd.  As a seller, what can you control in this market?  The price, yes, but all sellers would like to get the best price possible in their market.  The Savvy Seller can dramatically improve their chances of making the sale by devoting attention to an often overlooked tool in the Magic Marketing Bag; Staging.

Staging is what you do after you’ve cleaned, de-cluttered, painted, made minor repairs; it’s all about dressing the house for sale. Staging makes your house look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, more loving and, best of all, it makes home buyers want to buy it. 

The first thing a prospective buyer notices about a home is not the living room but the front yard.  So cut the grass, trim the hedges, rake those leaves, sweep the sidewalks, and power-wash the driveway.  If you want buyers to look inside, their impression starts on the outside.

Pack it up and get it ready to move, De-clutter.  Cluttered rooms will appear small to the buyers and buyers likes space, show ours off. De-cluttered rooms may appear bare to the seller, but the buyer won’t think so, it allows them to see themselves living there.

Most sellers are still living in their home while it is on the market, and keeping it ready to show can be overwhelming.  Staging Experts say, “A properly staged home should be immaculate, white glove clean, no dead bugs in the light fixtures, no dust bunnies in the corners, and nothing but sparkle in the bathroom and kitchen.”  Why?  If the home is unkempt, a buyer will wonder what other, less visible problems may come with the property.

Leave the lights on, yes ON. When you are leaving the house before a scheduled showing turn on every light in the house, open all the window coverings and make the house as bright and pleasant as possible.

Sellers, your property will stand out from the rest if you take the extra steps. Staging will preserve more of the purchase price. And that’s why you need to do all that you can to get the perceived value of their home up.

By Jiwan Ripley, Designated Broker, Connect Realty Sandpoint