The secret to selling your home faster!!

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Selling your home – Why is home staging so important!

That’s a really valid question with a pretty simple answer. Let’s put it this way: you dress for success, don’t you? Well, shouldn’t you do the same for your home when you’re selling it? Because that’s essentially what home staging is: dressing up your home so that it goes from house for sale to house sold as quickly and profitably as possible. So, why is home staging important? Basically, you want your house to looks it’s best for potential buyers.

Homes that are staged for sale sell faster!

Statistics show that houses for sale that are staged, sell for the list price or very close to it, and sometimes even more. This can happen if there’s a bidding war or a seller wants to make sure that the buyers come in with the highest offer so they come in high just in case other offers come in. Why is that, you ask? Because by staging a house, you’re transforming it into an object of desire! That’s why I work with professional home stagers, because it’s not about fixing the leaky ceiling or caulking the bathtub. It’s about taking that plain Jane house for sale and turning it into “Wow”.

Staged homes take a lot of work, but it’s worth the effort!

It takes a lot of work to stage a house properly, which is why it’s usually left in the hands of experienced professionals who know how to bring out the best in every room. By using various accessories, like plants, rugs, lighting, artwork etc., a professional home stager can transform a relatively uninspired house for sale into a warm, comfortable and desirable home for sale. A house for sale that’s not staged may stay on the market for much longer than one that is.

Some other good reasons to stage a house for sale include:

  • Staged homes look better on the Internet… most buyers look on the Internet first before they contact a real estate agent.
  • Staged homes make a great first impression on buyers. If potential buyers don’t like what they view online… they will not come visit your home in person…..hence no sale.
  • Staged homes come across as better maintained.
  • Agents know that staged homes show better and are more likely to have these homes shown by several brokers/agents.
  • Staging a home makes it easier for potential buyers to image living in the home themselves.

Expensive…. Staging is not cheap, it’s money well spent (depending on how much staging/prepping your house needs),  but it’s not nearly as expensive as that big price reduction, or several price reductions later. If your home is staged correctly, it does really work. Making your home attractive to potential buyers and helping them visualize themselves in your home is essential. If your house is for sale (and you haven’t had many showings or offers) speak to your real estate agent about staging your home and see who they might be able to recommend.

Home Selling Process

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Home Selling Process

Selling your home shouldn’t be a stressful ordeal. Your first step will be to contact Barbara. Barbara will visit your property to become familiar with its attributes. This is a good time to gather all paperwork that you will need, such as property survey, septic and well maps (if applicable), a list of improvements that you have made to your property, and a yearly ballpark figure of all household expenses—electricity, water, gas, oil, lawn care/maintenance, trash removal etc. You will also need a Connecticut Real Estate Attorney; Barbara can provide a list of attorney’s and movers if needed.

During my initial visit to your home, we will discuss how to make your home most marketable. First impressions are always the best—there is no second chance so I will look at your home as through a buyer’s eyes and we will work together to show off its best advantages.

What should I list my home for?

It is important to remember that real estate markets are local, and market conditions from town to town vary, also from neighborhood to neighborhood within a town. Many factors affect a list price of a home—location, condition, amenities, supply and demand, and also the economic state of affairs. Because of this, you need a comprehensive market analysis prepared by an experienced real estate professional. Once all of this information is taken into consideration, I will be able to arrive at a realistic listing price for your property.

What paper work is required to get the process started?

Sellers of residential property in Connecticut will be provided with the following forms –Consumer Information Statement on Real Estate Relationships, Agency Relationship Agreement, Affiliated Business Disclosure Statement, Exclusive Right to Sell Agreement, Property Listing Waiver Form (if applicable), Disclaimer Regarding Third-Party Resources, Multiple Listing Service Input Form, State of Connecticut Dept. of Consumer Protection Residential Property Condition Disclosure—(unless exemption applies), Lead Based Paint Disclosure (if applicable), Mold or Mold–Forming Condition(s) Property Disclosure Form, Underground Oil Tank (if applicable),Seller’s Inclusion/Exclusion Addendum, Dual Agency/Designated Agency and American Home Shield–Warranty Protection Plan.

Personal Marketing Plan—To Yield the best Results.

Your home and needs are unique, and no two properties are the same. I will design a custom marketing plan that will be implemented, specifically to assist your unique property in reaching a broad spectrum of qualified buyers. In today’s day and age the internet plays a major role in the home sales process. I am proud to offer exposure on BarbaraSweeneyHomes.com and several other websites—Realtor.com, ColdwellBankerMoves.com, Yahoo.com, NY times.com, Google.com, Trulia.com and Coldwell Banker’s Global websites. The sale of your property—is probably your largest investment. Barbara takes this commitment very seriously, and a successful result is very important to her. My personalized, individual marketing plan is designed to give your property maximum exposure, ensuring in a successful outcome.

The Offer

When an offer is presented—by a ready, willing and able buyer, I will work with you to evaluate the terms and price. Having buyer’s pre-approved and qualified is of the utmost importance. Experience makes a difference at this critical stage, and I am proud of the years of market expertise that I bring to each and every transaction.

Typically the offer is presented to the Buyer’s Agent, or can also be presented to the seller in the presence of the seller’s agent. The following information is included:

  • The opening offer—the amount the buyer is willing to pay
  • The amount of earnest money
  • Financing terms
  • Closing date
  • Any applicable contingencies which might include—mortgage commitment date, appraisal, inspections—(building, pest, septic, well, underground oil tank, radon, water, asbestos and lead, pool, tennis court).
  • Contract signing date—and balance of deposit
  • Any personal property that is to be included or excluded from the sale

If an offer is not acceptable to you, further negotiations may be necessary—counter negotiations are common, before all parties reach a meeting of the mind. I will continue to work closely with you until a deal evolves and provide all the necessary information to your real estate attorney.

Contract

Contracts are prepared by the seller’s attorney and sent to the buyers’ attorney. This contract incorporates all of the terms from the offer to purchase that we all agreed to. After review by the buyer’s attorney, the contract will be signed by the buyer and the balance of the deposit (customarily 10% total) of the agreed upon sales price will be held in escrow by the attorney. The contracts are returned to the seller’s attorney and then signed by the sellers. Upon expiration of contingency dates or release of them the only event pending is the final walk-through and closing.

Closing

Prior to closing, the buyer will perform a walk-through inspection of the home. A closing typically takes place at the seller’s attorney’s office or another mutually agreed upon location. The buyer receives the house keys and the seller will convey the deed to the buyer. At this time the seller will receive payment, conveyance taxes to the municipally and state and any applicable mortgages will be paid off. Your attorney will record the deed and property transfer in the Town or City Hall.

 

Costs on the Sale of a Property (Typically incurred by the Seller):

The Perils of Overpricing

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You’re putting your house up for sale. Your agent has recommended a listing price range based on current market conditions, how your house stacks up versus others presently on the market and what comparable properties have recently sold for. But your agent’s recommendation is not quite what you had in mind. What could it hurt, you reason, to list higher and see what happens?

Unfortunately, it could hurt a lot.

Overpricing is not a good strategy, even if you’re in no rush to sell or are just “testing the waters.” Frequently, the result of overpricing is a home that eventually sells for less than it’s worth…less than it would have commanded if it had been priced right from the start. Here’s how that happens.

On day one, you list your home higher than you should. Many agents who see it on tour won’t even show it because they know their customers will recognize that it’s priced too high. Those who do show it may advise their buyers to wait for a price reduction before expressing interest. Either way, you are not achieving your goal of getting your house shown and sold.

Buyers who do visit your property are disappointed because they are shopping in a higher price range in which your home does not rightfully belong. As such, it is likely to fall short of their expectations. Your decision to overprice actually makes competitive properties look better than yours by comparison. It sells someone else’s home instead of your own.

At the same time, buyers who would actually be interested in purchasing your home are not being exposed to it because it is out of their price range. This means that your home is not coming up on their agents’ computers when they do property searches for these buyers. Nor is it appearing on Internet shoppers’ screens when they search in their price range on realtor.com. As a result, you are missing out on the critical first two weeks of peak interest and activity that well-priced new listings typically enjoy. Without a quick price adjustment, it can sometimes be tough to recover from this.

Sixty days down the road your situation can become even more difficult, even if you adjust the price closer to where it should be. At this point your property is no longer top of mind with anyone. Because it’s been on the market for a while, agents and buyers alike may begin to view your home as an opportunity for a bargain. Potential buyers may start to think there must be something wrong with your property since it hasn’t sold yet. Or they may assume that, under the circumstances, you’d be willing to accept an even lower price. Shrewd buyer agents will capitalize on this situation. This is the point at which lowball offers may start to surface. In fact, these may be the only type of offers that you ever receive – when you could have gotten fair market value if you had priced right from the start.

Although most good agents caution sellers about this scenario before taking the listing, overpriced properties are still very common. In some cases, that’s because the seller has an unrealistic and non-negotiable number that they want or need to achieve when they sell. That number may be the breakeven point reflecting what they paid for the property plus the cost of improvements they have made. It may be what their neighbors netted when they sold last spring, or what the sellers need to come away with to afford their next home. Recently, bank appraisals from mortgage refinancing have become popular listing price bench- marks for sellers. Unfortunately, none of these things are necessarily reliable indicators of the market value of your home when you decide to put it on the market. Looking at current market conditions and what comparable properties have recently sold for is the most reliable way to estimate market value.

In other cases, agents may contribute to overpricing. This can happen overtly when agents know they are competing with one or more colleagues for your business – and they err on the high side of market valuation hoping you will select them because they are the highest bidder. This is called “buying the listing.” Other times, agents may conclude that it’s easier to go along with you than to try to convince you that your number is too high and risk losing the listing. After all, in most cases the house will eventually sell and a commission will be paid.

You can protect yourself from the perils of overpricing by selecting an agent whose analysis is thorough and insightful and well rationalized. One who can answer your questions and who has the confidence to tell you the truth about the market and where your property will compete in it. When you do this, you will reap the benefits of pricing right, which include agent enthusiasm…more showings…higher offers…a faster sale…and minimal intrusion on your family’s daily life to get your property sold.

Steps on how to prepare your home for sale!!

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Prepping and staging a house – the very first thing to do, once you have decided you want to sell your house, is to get it ready and make it appeal to as many potential buyers as possible.  Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar.  Does that sound good to you?   Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen.  It’s careful planning and knowing how to professionally spruce up your home that will send buyers scurrying for their checkbooks.

At this point, the goal is to make fast and visible changes that will yield more than a 100% return on investment.Ten steps that your can use to prepare your house for sale. It is easier if you do them in order, but not necessary.

  1. Disassociate yourself with your Home
  2. Make Minor Repairs
  3. De-Personalize
  4. House Clutter
  5. Closets and Cabinets
  6. Favorite Items
  7. Neutral Colors
  8. Curb Appeal
  9. House Staging
  10. Scrutinize

Disassociate yourself with your Home

Say to yourself, “This is not my home; it is a house – a product to be sold.

Make a mental decision to “let go” of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.

Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance manuals to the new owners!

Say goodbye to every room.

Don’t look backwards – look towards the future.

Make Minor Repairs

Replace anything that is broken or cracked, repair damage to walls – (including cracks, stains, and holes).  Fix leaky faucets and slow drains, re-caulk around sinks and tubs. Make sure all cupboards, drawers and doors etc. open and close without squeaking. Replace burned-out bulbs, make sure electrical outlets and switches are functioning properly.  Address any water intrusion issues. Check each room (including the basement and garage) to make sure that you are not missing any important issues that should be addressed before your home is placed on the market.

De-Personalize

Pack up those personal items, knick-knacks, family heirlooms, diplomas, trophies, and even religious items.  Also, be sure all important papers are stashed away and out of site. This is usually the hardest step, because it is tempting to get distracted as you put away all the important items you have collected through the years.  Buyers can’t see past personal artifacts and you don’t want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls. Hang in there, you’ll get through this part, you are well on your way to a fast sale.

House Clutter

This step is to make your house appear larger. People collect an amazing amount of junk.  Consider this: if you haven’t used it in over a year, you probably don’t need it.   Generally I suggest you take about half of your furniture and put it away in storage, sell or donate if you won’t be using it in your next home.  This may sound harsh, but the goal is to make your house appear bigger and more spacious.

Every room should have a purpose. All those papers that you gathered on the kitchen or dining room table need to be cleared off.  Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.

Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

Closets and Cabinets

Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinets doors. Think of the message is sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if he/she sees everything organized.  It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well – this means put away all clothes that are out of season, style or don’t quite fit anymore – hang all shirts, sweater, pants etc. with hangers facing the same direction.  Line up shoes.  In the hall closet only keep a vacuum, and a few coats – that’s all.   Kitchen – clear all extra appliances, accessories and clutter off the counters – remove and pack extra dishes, clear out every single drawer and clean out the refrigerator.

Favorite Items

Does your home have a family heirloom – chandelier, sconces etc.   Do you want to take them with you when you move? Be sure to remove these items before you put your house on the market. Also make sure to replace the removed items with something so it doesn’t appear like anything is different.

Why?  If a buyer never sees it, they won’t want it. Once you tell a buyer they can’t have an item, that they covet, it could blow your deal.

Neutral Colors

Now is the time to put a fresh coat of paint up in the rooms that need it. It’s recommended to de-accent any accent walls, and paint over rooms with bright or bold colors.   What we are going for is something warm, inviting and neutral. Nothing cleans up a room faster than a fresh coat of paint.   Don’t forget to do the trim work too.   Also, if the carpets are dirty, now is the perfect time to professionally clean, or even replace them. Changing the carpets is one of the few things that immediately yields a greater return in investment.

Curb Appeal

Look at the exterior of your home with a critical eye.  It’s been said over and over, the first impression counts. When selling a house, the first impression is when a car of potential buyers pulls up in front , and looks at your house for the first time. They are looking at the landscaping. They are looking at the paint. They are looking at the yard.  A potential buyer will walk right up the front steps and through the front door.

Pay particular attention to your front porch and door – make sure it is inviting  – the walkway is free of any debris, lawn mowed, the front door is clean and no dead plants on the front step/stoop.

House Staging

If you have followed all the aforementioned steps, you are almost done. Home staging is the art of re-arranging furniture and decorating to appeal to buyers.

Your agent can help you or you can hire a stager to put the finishing touches on your home. Staging is the icing on the cake. Staging makes the home look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer more loving and best of all, it makes buyers want to buy it.

Scrutinize

Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?

Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.  If you are not happy with something, fix it, move it – do whatever it takes to make that first impression ever lasting.  If you follow all these steps, and tackle a little bit every day for a few days/weeks, you can have your house ready in no time at all.  Plus, by doing these steps, it will make it easier to move when you do get that great offer.

The Spring Market is just around the corner – Great tips for preparing your home for Sale

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Thinking of selling your home?   It’s important to know which repairs and home improvement projects will increase the value of your home.   Buyers will pay a premium for a home that is in top-notch, move-in condition, so once you decide to sell, make sure your home is ready to be sold.

Selling your home can trigger mixed emotions and certainly be a stressful experience. The preparation you put into getting your home ready for sale can be the difference between closing on your property or having your home just listed.  Buyers for good quality property can be found all year round.  The good news!  Spring is just around the corner.

Please use this checklist to get your home ready for sale.

EXTERIOR

  • Clean up all around the house.  Remove any debris—wood, toys or unnecessary items laying around the yard. Trim all hedges and shrubbery away from the house. Keep all gardens edged and mulched.
  • Keep your lawn mowed, edged, free of weeds and in good condition—a green lawn makes a huge difference.
  • Plant some color by the front door or porch/patio area with potted plants/flowers.  Keep them watered and in excellent condition.
  • Clean your gutters, downspouts and roof. Wash/power wash siding, paths and driveways.
  • Clean/wash all windows, shutters and the areas around your front, back/side and garage doors.
  • Clean/wash outdoor light fixtures, replace light bulbs.
  • Paint or touch up areas in need of repair.
  • Wash patio furniture, grill and pool equipment (if you have a pool)
  • Stage an outdoor space to suggest that you enjoy outside leisure activities.
  • Clean or replace mail box
  • No leaky faucets outside
  • Clean garage—remove all clutter and organize it—try to make it as spacious as possible.
  • Hang up bikes etc.  Make room for your cars.
  • Keep trash area clean and organized
  • Check/repair all screens, shutters, awnings, door hardware and that the doorbell is working.

INTERIORS

 

  • Clean all clutter from each closet, drawer, cabinet or cupboard in every room—try to remove half of what you have—less is more.   Make sure that the remaining contents are neatly organized.
  • Make each room as spacious as possible.  Store unnecessary items—toys, books, furniture, knick knacks, clothes etc.   (Donate to Good Will or another charity organization). This is a good time to clean house—it will be much easier to get organized now rather than later when that final moving day arrives.
  • Take down/remove numerous personal photo’s, pictures, portraits, posters and awards—depersonalize each room.  You don’t want buyers distracted—you want them to imagine their own photos etc. on the walls.  Remember to patch nail and screw holes—touch-up paint or repaint the wall.
  • Keep all drapes open and remove/replace if need be.
  • Thoroughly clean the kitchen—remove all clutter from the counter tops, cabinets (sort through can goods/dry food etc. you’ll be surprised what you find).  All appliances should be sparkly clean inside and out and in good working order.  Remove clutter from refrigerator door.
  • Clean tile grout, re-caulk in needed.  Tighten or replace loose doorknobs, cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers and wobbly hinges. Leaky faucets or clogged drains repaired.
  • Clean and deodorize vents and exhaust hoods
  • Clean bathrooms—interior and exterior (if you have one). Remove stains, mold from tubs, showers and sinks; clean grout.  Clean mirrors and chrome/brass fixtures.  Check for leaky faucets and clogged drains.  Put out fresh soap and towels that match your bathroom décor.  Replace shower curtain (if you have one) or make sure that the glass shower door is sparkly clean.
  • Wash windows and glass doors/cabinets.
  • Go through your entire home and touch up paint or repaint, walls, ceilings, trim, doors and cabinets.
  • Make sure to change all light bulbs—keep lights on during showings, even during the day.
  • Front foyer—as this is usually the first point of entry into your home make sure prospective buyers are greeted with style and grace.   You have only one chance to make a good first impression.
  • Make sure you or your guests DON’T SMOKE in your home.
  • Lastly put away all mail, store valuables in a safe place or anything you would not want a prospective buyer to see.  Please don’t stuff these items in drawers or cabinets—as these can easily be opened.

Once you have completed this process, we will take a walk through your home and decide if we need to add more finishing touches.  You may consider the services of a professional Home Stager or utilize Barbara’s expertise.   Home staging is about illusions.  It’s beyond decorating and cleaning. Staging makes your home look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, more loving and, best of all it makes home buyers want to buy it.

All this may seem like a lot of work, and it is, but it means a quicker sale with less hassle and more money in your pocket.  Having more stuff in your home is not appealing to buyers. It can make them feel cramped, nervous and overall uncomfortable in your home which may result in a lower offer.

Traditionally, spring is the hottest season for real estate.  If you want to list your home during the spring market, now is a good time to start the cleaning process and preparing your home for sale.  Be diligent in your efforts, all the hard work will be worth the reward of a successful sale.

Dress Your House for Success

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Selling Your House for the Best Price in the Least Amount of Time

Now that you’ve made the decision to sell your home, you’ll want to look at it differently. It’s now a house for sale and looking at it through “buyers’ eyes” can help you package it to sell more quickly.

This checklist can help you organize what needs to be done.Dressing your house for success doesn’t need to be expensive or overly time consuming. You can borrow or rent the “extras” like decorative house plants or lawn furniture to make your house really memorable. And, if you don’t have enough time to do cleaning or repair work, consider hiring a professional. It could save you time and money later.

As you use the checklist, consult with your real estate professional Barbara Sweeney to establish your plan. She knows best what is important to buyers in your market and you’ll want to concentrate on those things that really make the difference toward a successful sale.

Where Do I Start

When you begin preparing your house for market, start outside and work your way in, keeping in mind the importance of first impressions.

It is estimated that more than half of all houses are sold before the buyers even get out of their cars! Stand across the street from your house and review its curb appeal. What can you do to improve that very first impression?

When you’re ready to begin work. use the checklist and add your own “To Do” list in the blank space provided. The checklist follows six important steps to packaging your house. Even if you can’t get to every detail, the checklist will help you keep in mind the basic steps.

Remember, you need to think like a buyer now and have a critical eye!

SIX KEY STEPS

Un-cluttering makes every room look larger and feel neater. If a house is cluttered, buyers have trouble imagining themselves in it. By removing or storing things you don’t need you create a roomy, comfortable feeling that will be inviting to prospective buyers. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out, sell it or give it away!

Cleaning makes your house easy for buyers to explore and gives the impression that it has been well cared for. Be sure every room smells as good as it looks, paying special attention to pet areas, nurseries and bathrooms. Some fresh paint and a one-time professional cleaning service can make your house look like new!

Repairing eliminates buyers’ objections before they arise. If you think something is too much trouble to fix, chances are buyers will, too. Buyers tend to think repairs will cost more than they do.

Neutralizing helps buyers see their own things in your house and picture themselves living there. Neutral paint, decor and carpeting create a home for any lifestyle. Eliminating distracting colors and accessories lets buyers concentrate on positive impressions.

Dynamizing™ makes the exterior and every room of your house special. Since it is competing with many other houses on the market, you need to make it stand out and be memorable. Look in magazines and catalogs for ideas. From the front door to the basement, from fresh flowers to fresh smells, this is the finishing touch!

SHOWTIME! is the final step before each time your house is shown. Identify jobs and assign them to make this step quick and easy. If you keep up daily, SHOWTIME! will be easier for you and your family. Plan a fun activity – away from the house -during showings.

EXTERIOR/CURB APPEAL

Un-cluttering

  • Lawn/garden – mow, trim, weed, water, pick up.
  • Pet areas – clean up, re-sod spots as needed.
  • Extra vehicles – remove from curb view

Cleaning

  • Windows – wash inside and out.
  • Walks and driveway – sweep and remove stains.
  • Siding/brick or stucco – hose down.

Repairing

  • Doors and windows – repair screens, glass and door hardware.
  • Siding – repair or paint as needed.
  • Fences – repair or paint as needed.
  • Sidewalks and driveway -repair as needed

Neutralizing

  • Lawn areas – remove any distracting decorations

Dynamizing

  • Add a large plant, wreath or doormat at entrance
  • Add potted or hanging flowers to deck or porch
  • Borrow lawn furniture
  • Add new house numbers or a new door fixture
  • Add fresh layer of rock or mulch if needed

KITCHEN

Un-cluttering

  • Counters – clear extra appliances, accessories, etc.
  • Cupboards – remove and pack extra dishes, food
  • Memo areas – straighten and remove papers

Cleaning

  • Cupboards – wipe inside and polish cabinets
  • Vents, exhaust hoods – clean and deodorize
  • Appliances – clean thoroughly inside and out
  • Sinks – polish and clean, remove stains
  • Floors and walls – scrub and wax floors
  • Garbage, produce areas – clean and deodorize

Repairing

  • Faucets – repair leaks
  • Appliances – check bulbs, replace parts
  • Wall and ceiling cracks – patch and paint

Neutralizing

  • Walls – use neutral paint and wallpaper

Dynamizing

  • Clean or replace reflector plates
  • Add a new throw rug
  • Add green or flowering plants

BATHROOMS

Un-cluttering

  • Counters – clean, pack and store
  • Vanities, medicine cabinets and linen closets organize, pack and store

Cleaning

  • Vanities – clean inside, scrub and polish outside
  • Sinks, tub and shower – remove stains and mold
  • Mirrors and chrome – polish to a sparkle
  • Floors and walls – scrub clean and deodorize

Repairing

  • Toilets and plumbing – make needed repairs
  • Grout and caulking – patch as needed
  • Wall and ceiling cracks – patch and paint as needed

Neutralizing

  • Walls – use neutral paint and wallpaper
  • Shower curtain and towels – use basic colors

Dynamizing

  • Add scented soaps or a candle
  • Purchase or borrow “show” towels and accessories

ENTRYWAY/LIVING AND DINING ROOM/FAMILY ROOM

Un-cluttering

  • Coffee and end tables – remove papers, etc.
  • Furniture – rearrange for openness, remove and store as needed
  • Plants – remove extra or unhealthy plants
  • Bookshelves/office areas – straighten, pack, store

Cleaning

  • Carpet –  spot clean, consider professional service
  • Furniture and woodwork – polish
  • Lighting fixtures – clean and polish to a sparkle
  • Hardwood floors – wash and shine

Repairing

  • Wall and ceiling cracks – repair and paint

Neutralizing

  • Walls –  use neutral paint and wallpaper

Dynamizing

  • Use logs and fireplace accessories
  • Use flowers
  • Rearrange pictures to highlight special areas

BEDROOMS

Un-cluttering

  • Children’s play areas – straighten, store extra toys
  • Closets – straighten, box and store
  • Furniture – remove extra items and rearrange to enhance space

Cleaning

  • Carpet – clean and deodorize in nursery
  • Drapes and curtains – wash or dry clean
  • Lighting fixtures – wash and clean bulbs

Repairing

  • Wall and ceiling cracks – repair as needed

Neutralizing

  • Walls – use neutral paint and wallpaper
  • Bedspreads – use basic colors and patterns
  • General decor – remove distracting posters, etc.

Dynamizing

  • Arrange toys to look fun and inviting
  • Open a book on a night stand
  • Add a flowering plant
  • Arrange decorative pillows or shams on bed

BASEMENT/GARAGE

Un-cluttering

  • Tool, shop and laundry areas – straighten, box and store
  • Rec room – straighten play areas, store extra toys
  • Garage – store lawn/garden tools and equipment

Cleaning

  • Floors – sweep, clean grease spots
  • Walls and ceilings – remove cobwebs
  • Windows – clean
  • Pet areas – clean thoroughly and deodorize

Repairing

  • Appliances – be sure furnace, water heater, etc. are in working order
  • Pipes, laundry connections – check and make repairs as needed

Neutralizing

  • Walls and floors – consider spray painting and throw rugs

Dynamizing

  • Arrange laundry supplies to suggest ease of work
  • Arrange games in play areas
  • Display a project in work or hobby areas

SHOWTIME!

The final check of the details that can make your house memorable.

Inside

  • Open shades and drapes
  • Open windows to freshen rooms
  • Arrange fresh flowers throughout
  • Turn on lights
  • Prepare a fire for open houses
  • Set out a game, a book, a hobby project
  • Set tables with flowers
  • Set out “show” towels
  • Make sure rugs are clean and straight
  • Empty wastebaskets
  • Pick up dirty clothes
  • Deodorize pet areas
  • Play soft music and turn off television
  • Set a comfortable temperature
  • Do a “once-over” cleaning – vacuum, sweep and dust
  • Final check every room

Outside

  • Pick up lawn tools and toys
  • Pick up after pets
  • Remove obstructions from curb view
  • Clear driveways and walk areas

Getting It Straight: De-Cluttering vs Staging

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Real Estate has changed in the last 10 years and Staging is becoming a MUST DO when getting your house ready for sale. But what is staging really? And how have the public and real estate agents been confused about it?
 Most Agents today will tell their clients to “stage” their property by cleaning it, removing magnets off the fridge and taking down family photos. They offer advice on packing up the clutter and taking it off the property. This is good advice, as a preparation point, but it’s NOT STAGING.

Let me say that again. De-cluttering is NOT STAGING. De-cluttering is part of a three step process to Staging.Part 1:-  Is the consultation process to determine what needs to be done at the property, this is a paid-for consultation because intellectual property is being shared from the Stager to the home sellers. The Stager is giving advice, making a property specific checklist and offering solutions for the sellers to help them create a more marketable property.

Part 2:- Is the actual work to get the first step completed. This part involves renting a pod or storage space, packing up all the stuff listed on the checklist, doing all repairs that have been neglected, cleaning the home really really well and also doing updates that are going to give your home an advantage over other listed competitors. This part can take a few days or a few weeks, depending on how much needs to be done.
 After doing all this, your home is still not staged. It is only PREPARED for STAGING. This is where many agents and homeowners miss out. They think that doing these first 2 steps is Staging. It is not.

Part 3:-  Is the Staging. The Staging involves hiring a professional Stager (at least 5 years’ experience, talent and skills and a proven track record would be KEY). The Stager will come in and take photos, measurements and make notes about the plan for the Staging and then proceed to implement that plan, possibly using Rental Props and Rented Furniture as part of the Staging. The Stager should be well versed in the following concepts to successfully create a Staged home for you.

Staging is about:

1. Creating correct traffic flow patterns for the buyers tour

2. Highlighting the property’s features such as large windows, fireplaces, new cabinetry, new flooring

3. Directing the buyers’ eyes to see these features through use of proven Staging techniques

4. Designing visually and technically correct furniture placement in each room

5. Building layers of interest in each room, without being distracting to the eye

6. Tying room color and styles together in a cohesive way

7. Using proper scale and proportion in furniture and accessories, including how to hang artwork properly

8. Creating wow factor first impressions in every room that draw the buyer deeper into your home

9. Showing the buyers how they can “live” in the home using “lifestyle selling techniques”

10. Generating interest in the property through speaking to the “emotion” of the buyer

This is Staging. This is the icing on the cake, the most important grand finale to the first two parts. This is also the part that sometimes gets missed by owners who think that when they have de-cluttered, they have staged. They have spent all that effort and time for what?

Just to end up looking like every other de-cluttered house on the block. And that is not a winning formula.
Complete all three parts to a Staging Project and hire a professional Stager… be the stand out house in a crowd of many.

How to – Sell your home in the winter

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Many people believe it’s harder to sell your home in winter than summer. But there are a number of real advantages to selling during the cooler months.

For one thing, removed from the sometimes frenzied action of the spring market, sellers can take a little more time to consider offers, and with fewer homes on the market, there’s less competition. Buyers out in the cold weather looking at homes are not “tire kickers.” They want to buy a home and get moved in.  The things that lead people to make new home purchases — a new job, a growing family, up – or downsizing – happen all year round. In fact, winter is a great time for playing up your home’s cozy, family-friendly charm.Additionally, “Houses tend to show very well when decorated tastefully for the holidays, and buyers enjoy this.”  The drawbacks to selling in colder seasons are that showings may interrupt holiday activities.  As is true of any time of year, a well staged home has a higher chance of selling closer to the asking price.

Start with the exterior

As with any time of year, make sure that the house looks well maintained and cared for.  While you can’t paint in winter, washing paintwork and siding with warm soapy water on a mild day can make a big difference. Make sure the windows are freshly washed as well; winter light has a way of highlighting grime.

Tend to foliage

Make sure that shrubs and tree-branches bent down with snow don’t obstruct walkways or entrances; brush the snow off or prune if necessary. (It won’t hurt them.) Ensure that the walkway is shoveled and ice-free before every showing; not only is this a courtesy and crucial to making the home look well maintained, but if a visitor slips and is hurt, you could be liable for damages.

Adorn the entryway

A wreath on the front door or front porch present a welcoming entry. Plant urns with festive greenery, the fuller the better: along with cedar or pine boughs, tuck in sprigs of holy, dried berries, magnolia leaves, corkscrew hazel or red osier branches, and perhaps gold wire ribbon woven through the arrangement.

Make a good first impression

Once a prospective buyer comes inside, remember that you may have only 10 to 15 minutes to make a lasting impression. (A small but crucial point for unoccupied homes: make sure the heat is turned on several hours before the showing. All the window-dressing and staging in the world won’t entice buyers to linger inside a home that’s freezing.)

Light candles

Romance visitors’ sense of smell by lighting fragrant candles.  A time-honored but still effective trick, especially on a cold winter’s day, is to have a pot of cider simmering on the stove, or cookies or fresh bread baking.

Protect the floors

To protect your floors, put down rubber mats by the door for snowy boots; or buy shoe protectors for visitors to wear while they view your home.

Light a fire

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, light a fire and let it glow during the showing. Consider modest winter flower arrangements or amaryllis blooms in some rooms.

Display photos of what your home looks like in other seasons

Showcase photographs of your home taken during the warmer seasons. During the winter months it might be hard for buyers to picture what your home looks like the rest of the year. If you have photographs of your garden in the spring, the pool in the summer, or your trees with bright foliage in the fall, display these photographs for buyers to see.

After the holidays, seasonal decorations can be taken down, but urn arrangements and even the front door wreath can stay up for the rest of the winter, if it isn’t too Christmasy in design. Make sure you continue to maintain walkways clear of ice and snow, and think warm thoughts!

Check out De-Cluttering vs. Staging and Steps on how to prepare your home for sale – great resources for every seller.

Mortgage Calculators

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