If you missed my article in the June 25th edition of The Washington Blade, read on.
Did that fabulous job in Manhattan finally come through? Is there a penthouse condo is SoBe calling your name? Perhaps you’ve fallen in love and you’re tired of the morning walk-of-shame from his place to yours. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided to sell your home.
It used to be that real estate was all about “location, location, location.” While a great location can still cause buyers to compromise on a less than stellar house, the mantra du jour is actually “location, condition and price.”
Since we cannot change the home’s location, real estate agents must rely even more on its condition and its price to achieve a successful sale. This article will address some ways to improve your home’s condition so that buyers are more likely to identify it as “The One.”
In nearly 13 years of selling real estate, I have had the pleasure of listing a dozen or so houses and condos where I didn’t need to change a thing. Most homes have needed at least some minor tweaking. Some have been candidates for Niecy Nash’s Messiest Home in the Country. And yes, a few others have been straight out of A&E TV’s Hoarders.
Often the most difficult thing for homeowners to do is to begin to think of the house they have poured blood, sweat, tears and money into as a product that will be sold to others. Like many of my colleagues, I help my sellers de-clutter, de-personalize and survive this transition so that a buyer who expects the look of a model home will not be disappointed. While you won’t find me vacuuming in my lingerie à la Annette Benning, I generally end up flexing my creative side by staging or even sometimes renovating each home I sell.
The National Association of REALTORS® has long suggested that staged homes sell more quickly and for higher prices than similar, unstaged homes. My experience has certainly shown that to be true. I have also found that staging an occupied home needn’t cost a fortune.
Here are 10 low-cost staging tips to keep in mind when living in your home while it’s on the market.
• Listen to your agent’s advice – candor is not meant to be mean-spirited.
• Pack and store non-essentials off-site; sell or donate what you no longer want.
• Experiment with new furniture arrangements to make spaces seem open and inviting.
• Use smaller area rugs to show off more of your hardwood floors.
• Refresh your paint; choose colors that tone down or rev up a room.
• Keep items on horizontal surfaces to a minimum; staging vignettes generally use no more than three items of varying heights.
• Invest in light bulbs and replace burned out bulbs immediately.
• Leave your blinds up and your toilet seats down.
• Repair or remove anything that stinks, clinks, squeaks, or leaks.
• Clean! Clean! Clean! Do it yourself or hire a service. Or call Annette Benning.
But what about a vacant house? Although some buyers see vacant space as an opportunity to turn what is into what could be, most people have a difficult time imagining how they will live in a home that is totally unfurnished. Professional staging helps your home outshine the competition by accentuating its best features. Think of it as dressing your home for a date or a job interview.
• Start with clean skin: a spotless home.
• Apply foundation: otherwise known in the trades as paint.
• Put on your favorite outfit: a great sofa, an elegant dining set, an antique desk.
• Add accessories: rugs, throw pillows, linens, art.
• Finish with a bit of bling: dishes on the table, crystal at the bar and light streaming through the windows.
With your efforts, the assistance of your agent and the talents of a professional stager, a successful sale will surely be imminent. To paraphrase Norma Desmond, “it’s just us, the virtual tour, and these wonderful people here at the open house.”
Is your house ready for its close-up? Mr. DeMille awaits.
