Timing Your Sale

“What can be done with existing furniture and some inexpensive props to help our home sell?”

This is a common question we get from sellers.  Staging is the act (and art!) of setting up a home with attractive furnishings and accessories to augment its appeal to buyers.  Professional staging companies bring their expertise and furnishings to help home sellers create an attractive presentation for prospective buyers.  Sellers, however, can do some simple staging of their own with what they may already have on hand.  Many homeowners have a few nice lamps, tables and sofas to work with.  Fresh plants & flowers and bright lighting throughout the home make a difference, too.  Avoid using unsightly furniture in staging.  If the couches and tables are old and worn, prospective buyers may feel like other parts of the home are as well.

We like to walk through the home with you to see things from the perspective of a potential buyer.  What would a reasonable buyer expect of the home?  Are there any obstructions or odors that may be a turn-off to a buyer? 

We make note of especially attractive areas and features that can be used to spotlight the property.  Removing obstacles in the home and creating a welcoming environment for a buyer are the priorities of the in-home marketing strategy.

Some Tips:

We like to call this the 3 D’s… De-clutter, De-Personalize and De-tach!

1)  REMOVE Clutter! This is probably the LEAST expensive but MOST important thing for a home seller to do.  Clean & simple living is the core of staging.  Make sure to clean the home thoroughly…don’t forget the windows and closets!  Many aspects of your home will leave a lasting impression for your potential buyers.  A clean & tidy home is vital.  While you’re cleaning, make sure to put away your valuables and fragile belongings.  PRIORITIZE repairs & upgrades.  Buyers tend to want a solid home that appears to be well-cared for.  Old & stained carpets, broken toilets, and locks that don’t work are some fixes that should be taken care of prior to listing.

2)  Don’t take it personally!  Take down excessive pictures of you, your family and all your life’s experiences.  Buyers want to visualize themselves in the home… not you.  

3)  Try to detach yourself from the home little by little.  We understand this can be especially hard for sellers who have lived in their home for many years, but we’re here for you!

Consider CURB APPEAL.  Sellers sometimes spend so much time making the inside look great that they forget about the outside.  Trim the lawn, bushes & trees.  Clean the roof, siding & walkways and consider turning on your exterior lights to welcome prospective buyers to your home.

Is professional staging worth it?  Yes!  It’s been our experience that staged listings get more views online and in person, and help a home to sell faster than an un-staged property.  The right staging can draw a buyer’s attention away from perceived negatives in a home.  Modern and colorful pieces can minimize especially small spaces, and clean-line furnishings can make dated spaces appear less so.  We’ll work with you to decide which route to go so that your home “pops” the minute that new buyer drives up.

Let’s move on to our last section on properly pricing your home for sale.