I first wrote this blog back in 2009 and the topic came up today at our Active Rain Meetup about selling homes & condition (naturally) so I went back to find this blog as the information is still relevant and applies even today.
The Back Story 2009 :
In the past 2 weeks I found out that a dear friend of mine and family are moving.
I was, to say the least, shocked and quite saddened that one of my friends won't be close by. Road trips are being planned already and long "girl's weekends" are on the agenda.
Her husband, took a great job within his company but had to agree to relocate quickly in order to fulfill the position. He is literally leaving this weekend.
They've started the mad dash process of getting the home ready for sale and lining up schedules with workers for this month. She is concerned that he won't be around to handle some of the details we all know get in the mix when contractors converge and start work (or not show up!)
A little background.
While they've lived in their home over 10 years, they like so many of us took their time to decide what changes they'd like to make. Raising a family, two jobs, pets and life always seem to take center stage while living in a home that suits our needs. Those "wish lists" and "want tos" on our home improvement projects can fall to the wayside. It happens to the best of us.
As I met with them this week to assist on some of the updates and make readies they need to be doing now to get the home ready, I was hit with a strong sense of sadness that all the wonderful things that they are doing now to their home will be enjoyed, not by the friends I love, but a new family who will reap the rewards of their investment in getting the home buyer ready.
Ironically (and fortunately) they had already started the process of updating their kitchen and master bath. Surfaces had been chosen and contractors interviewed and selected. They were ready to host Tex-Mex barbeques this summer and entertain in their new space. Not likely to happen now.
As a professional home stager unfortunately I see this a lot and I really hate to see it with my friends.
So with that being said, what I'd like to say to my friends here is this:
"Even if you aren't planning to sell your house, start acting like you are."
Ask yourself this question:
"If I were to have to sell my home in the next few months, is it ready for market?"
Scenarios that could happen that you find yourself in the position of having to sell quickly:
- Job relocation
- Job loss
- Family emergency
It could happen.
What can you do that's not going to break the bank now that you've started thinking like a home seller?
5 Tips to Start Thinking like a Seller
- Set realistic expectations if you haven't kept up with the Joneses - if your neighbo
rs have spent thousands on a variety of things they wanted to do to their house and you've always shaken your head at their perceived extravagance, think again. The Joneses are enjoying their improvements and over time will most likely pay for themselves. Although when selling is not the time to keep up with them be truthful with yourself as to how your house really shows. - Shop the local competition - visit your neighborhood open houses and get a look at what they've done to update their homes (or not) this will give you an idea of what you should be doing if you want the best price in your market for the house. This may give many a reality check when it comes to the fair price for your home.
- Take care of those "honey dos"- from broken window screens to getting rid of the accumulation of old stuff you've got laying around the garage. These things have to be done anyway. With a little sweat equity and a few weekends, you'll feel so much better having checked them off your list.
- Start living like company is coming every day - if you are anything like me, when I know I'm having company (especially the sleepover kind) I start a massive cleaning and de-cluttering of the place. And after I've accomplished that I sit back and think why the heck don't I do this all the time? It's so much easier to be orderly when things are in order! At minimum what I do on a regular basis is keep the "line of sight" from my front door company ready. It often inspires me to move toward the rest of the house and I really don't enjoy it when I feel uncomfortable not letting someone in my house because the breakfast dishes are still in the sink.
- Hire a Professional Home Stager - yes you heard me. This is something I've been sharing with my networking group. Even if you're not selling, hiring a home stager for a cost effective home staging consultation well before you ever get to the point of selling will put you ahead of the game. Home stagers can provide you with helpful tips and make recommendations on which updates will improve the marketability of your home and can return the investment. Home stagers can make staging safe color recommendations and even tell you how to position your furniture or do it for you when the time comes. Wouldn't you rather know a year in advance than 1 month?
Start thinking like a seller even if you're not selling. You'll be well ahead of the competition.
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Interested in starting your own Home Staging Business in Texas, OK or North West LA? I can help! Click the link below in the Staging & Redesign Box!
Home Star Staging is an exceptional, insured home staging company and we are always here for you North Texas!
- Pre-list home staging property consultations
- Post list "trouble shooting" property consultations - no matter how long a home has been on the market there are always ways to improve the chance of sale
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- Contact Karen at 496-964-0516 or Karen@homestarstaging.com
Copyright 2009-13 Karen Otto
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