December 13, 2010

Staging Your Home to Sell

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Today not only does your home need to “shine” when buyers visit in person, it needs to look its best on-line. Over 85% of buyers start their home-shopping on the internet & that number is rising rapidly. Sellers should consider a buyer’s first viewing of their home on-line as a first showing. High quality photos are key; demand them from your real estate agent. Prepare your home for its photo shoot by clearing off counters, storing away personal items, removing or adding decorative items & of course, clean, clean, clean. Prepare as you would for a “real” showing, it needs to be done anyway.

Now that your home has wowed your buyers on-line & they’ve made an appointment, get ready for their actual visit. Ambience does count so amp it up. If you have a fireplace have it crackling, a sound system – have soft music playing, a big screen T.V. that stays – have it on (with low to no sound). Enhance the lighting in every room; make it smell yummy by baking (cinnamon toast counts) or using scented candles. Pretend you’re having a party & make your guests feel welcome and want to stay!

I know staging works because I‘ve been a seller myself, more than once. A few years ago I sold my home in Williams Bay, close to Geneva Lake, in 10 days. I know how it feels when your realtor calls to ask “can we show your home in 1 hour?” “Eeek” you think. “Don’t they know we live here?” but say yes & have a plan. For my daughter & I the drill was: wipe all (clutter-free) counters with pleasant smelling cleaner , fill the dishwasher (no dishes in the sink), straighten the beds & fluff the pillows, shine faucets, mirrors & toilets which takes seconds & makes everything sparkle.

Vacuum the important areas if there’s time. Remember its short notice; you’re after a great first impression, not passing a white glove test. In our case, we then lit the fireplace & candles, turned on soft music & adjusted the lights, mostly all on, some dimmed. The temperature the day my home sold was well below zero & windy. I sat in my car ½ block away watching, stalking perhaps but sellers should NOT be at home. The buyers spent a surprising amount of time outside (a great sign considering the weather). After the showing the buyer’s agent said when they finally went inside they literally & figuratively melted & fell in love.

I‘ve been helping sellers stage their homes before there was a name for it. You may want to hire a professional stager but I can make recommendations to get you started. I’d love to share all the ins & outs of selling that I‘ve learned thru the years, both professionally and personally, helping you in any way I can.

*Please check out some Visual Tours I have created for my listings and visit LakeGenevaHomefinder.com.

Posted by:  Marcy Hammett

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