Is your home Staged to Sell?

You only have one opportunity to make a first impression.  When you make the decision to sell your home, it then becomes a product, it is your product.  Just like products at a store you must market its features and benefits. All homes have their pluses and minuses, and other homes to compete with. To have the edge in the market you must be priced right and look better than your competition.  
 
When we live in our home, we personalize our space, when we sell our home we must prepare it for the greatest number of potential buyers. We've all heard the easy ones, such as take the childerns artwork off the fridge, or "depersonalize" your space, and that's a great start. By removing daily clutter, rooms appear larger, feel more welcoming, architectural details are noticed, and buyers can mentally move-in.
 
Remember, our goal is to allow buyers to imagine how  they may live in your home and to do so, they must make that emotional connection. You are planning on moving, so don't be shy about packing up a few personal items!
 
A properly staged home will offer a visual focal point in key rooms, allowing buyers to imagine multiple uses.  Furniture placement, lighting, and color are equally important to showcase details and minimize flaws. 
 
Builders today use beautifully staged model homes to showcase what they will build on that empty lot, enticing buyers to dream of their new home. They know an empty house and especially vacant land, is hard for buyers to visualize.  By having the warmth of a fully staged model home, buyers can linger and feel the connection with the home that pictures may not provide.
 
Proper staging provides the necessary solution to both of these selling situations, by allowing buyers not only to remember but to connect with what they see.
 

Is your home staged and ready for a good first impression?

Curb Appeal to Closing the Deal

Emotions Start at the Curb ~

We have all driven by homes that catch our eye. The well kept tidy little bungalow with its flowering gardens, to the McMansions that are well designed and professionally landscaped. Curb appeal matters in every price range.  This is the first emotional connection to your home. 

Here is a great way to start: Drive your neighborhood. Stop across the street and take a good look at your home and the surroundings.

• What is your first impression of the home and the yard?
• What was the best feature that caught your eye?  Can you enhance it?
• What was the worse feature?  Can you minimize, remove or improve?

Make your list and tackle it.  Do the clean up first, then repairs.  Once complete take your drive again.  Add needed enhancements to entice an emotional connection with buyers.

Don’t Forget Evening Curb ~

It is not uncommon for buyers to do their drive bys in the evening after the dinner hour. Lighting can be especially useful. If your homes interior is visible from the curb, make sure it is pleasing.

Defining Emotions Indoors ~

First place to start is a sparkling clean home. From your windows to the bathroom tiles your home should shine.  Carpets cleaned, clutter removed, from garage, attic or basement.  You are selling your home and preparing to move, so now is not the time to be shy about packing up a few things.  
 
Now we can stand back and see if the home is in need of minor painting or Home Staging.  Staged homes focus on the space allowing buyers to visualize how they might live in your space.

Think about how your home might smell.  Do you have pets or smoke?  You may be used to these smells but these odors can distract a buyer from focusing on the design elements of your home.
 
Finally, set the mood for your home.  Fresh flowers, scented potpourri, soft music are all wonderful ways to help a buyer linger and focus on your home.  Cosmetic changes do not need to be costly.  Think of the basics that reinforces the message “my home has been well maintained”.  Remember, most buyers cannot visualize these changes and you are competing with other home on the market.  Additionally, buyers' may want the seller to compensate for the work that needs to be done by reducing their price.
 
Let's sit down and discuss your home selling needs.  I would welcome the opportunity to earn your business.  

Today's kitchen is the heart of every home. 
Uncluttered counters are a must.