Kitchen Before
With a slowing real estate market, home staging is becoming an important part of the selling process. Statistics show that home that have been "staged" sell faster and for more money than those that have not.
Kitchen After
Let us show you how to re-design your property to ensure you get top dollar as soon as possible! We can use what you have to keep in line with a tight budget or we can make recommendations on a full re-model.
Times are changing in the real estate world. In the past few years sellers have had little or no trouble finding a buyer within a few days, and many have had buyers within hours of listing. Those days are going, going, gone. Many sellers are discovering that their house may sit for weeks, and even months on end without offers much less being able to close the deal. Here in Florida, insurance, taxes and prices are taking a toll on property owners and making buyers more cautious before investing in a new home or relocating.
With that said, it's more important than ever for sellers to realize that in order to "Make That Sale" they need to be proactive when it comes to the presentation of their home. This is where a Home Stager can be used to great advantage to help in Decorating to Sell!
The first rule is to realize that once the FOR SALE sign goes up your home is no longer a Home. It is now a commodity and needs to be presented in a way that will attract the most potential buyers. Your home has become a "House For Sale" so you need to change the way you think about it and the way it is decorated. This can cause some discomfort and inconvienience because you will need to put that favorite old blanket that lays on the couch in a closet. Family picutres need to be limited and that collection of Elvis plates need to be boxed up and stored away. While you love and value these things, they can be detramental to a quick sale. You want potential buyers to see the HOUSE, not your personal treasures and comfort items. When the buyer leaves your house they need to remember the great fireplace or the layout of the kitchen, not the afghan that Grandma made or Elvis on the walls. You MUST decorate to SELL!
The second rule is to make the home's decor as neutral as possible. Again, your personal taste in furnishings, color and design need to be adjusted. While it's not necessary to re-model or re-decorate the whole house, there may be some work to be done to create the look that will appeal to as many potential buyers as possible to Make The Sale.
Wall color needs to be considered. If the paint is old, chipped or dirty it must be re-painted. This is true also if you love bright colors and have chosen reds, purples, oranges, greens to liven things up. Muted, neutral colors are your best options. It is well worth the time and effort to re-paint the walls in creams, beige or shades of white. It could mean a quicker sale and a better offer in the long run, so before putting your house on the market take this first step to appeal to the buyers.
Plan on doing some serious cleaning. Kitchen and bathrooms need particular attention. Floors, appliances, counters need to shine. Eliminate clutter! Be sure everything is in working order. Handles on doors and cabinets need to be there, be fastened securely, and clean. Carpets need to be freshly vacuumed before each showing, and if necessary, get them professionally cleaned. Areas for pets need to be maintained daily and when potential buyers are coming to look, put pet dishes, litter boxes, and the animals out of sight. Remember, you are decorating to sell!
The third rule is to make the front yard and entry way attractive, neat and easliy accessible. Clear away clutter. Put the toys, yard tools and any pet items away. The yard should be mowed, trimmed and flowers or greenery planted and maintained. Sweep the sidewalks and porch area, wash the windows and, if necessary, paint the door. Remember, it's that "FIRST GLANCE" that will set the stage for the buyer. If the first thing they see is a cluttered, unkept yard they have probably already decided "No".
A Professional Home Stager will help with all these areas and show you, the Seller, how to decorate, stage and present your house in the best possible way in order to Make The Sale! The staff of At First Glance will be glad to give you a consultation or stage your house for you in order to help you get the best price and a quick sale.
With the housing market slowing and buyers becoming more and more particular about what they get for their $$$, you, the Seller will need to be sure your house is the one they want to make their home, at first glance!
Please give us a call to discuss the options of a consultation or home staging to help you Make The Sale!