STAGE IT BEFORE YOU LIST: (ROYAL BANK PRESENTATION MAY 2009)
CONCEPT OF HOME STAGING – WHAT DO WE DO?
Staging is NOT:
- just cleaning up
- just de-cluttering
- just painting in neutral colors
- AND it is NOT decorating
Staging IS:
- a different presentation
- a full service
- depersonalizing
- quick and cost effective
STAGE BEFORE YOU LIST BECAUSE:
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
Home buyers won’t come back a second time if they didn’t like what they saw the first time.
POINTS:
- When you don’t stage it first the only thing to do is reduce the price.
- The cost of staging will always be less than the first price reduction.
- Staging can help a homeowner sell faster and for more money, in any market.
“WHERE DO I START?” – YOU ASK? With Curb Appeal!
If your home is unappealing and in disrepair, potential buyers assume it’s not maintained on the inside either and won’t even get out of the car.
STAGING SHOULDN’T BE A LAST RESORT
Staging shouldn’t be something you do after you’ve tried everything else (including reducing the price until you can’t afford to reduce it anymore).
Don’t wait until you are desperate to sell your home.
Buyers often think they can skip steps and take less or negotiate for the broken garage door or windows that need replacing.
If the house isn’t appealing you may not get a chance to negotiate.
FACT: MOST BUYERS COME IN WHEN THE LISTING IS NEW.
Maximize your chances of getting excited about your listing when it hits the market.
*When you don’t stage it first, the only thing to do is reduce!
FACT: ANY, HOME CAN BE STAGED, REGARDLESS OF PRICE, CONDITION OR LOCATION.
**REMEMBER: - Tax Break Incentives – it’s a good time to improve.
Mortgage rates are low – more incentive for buyers to buy.
It’s a particularly good time for 1st time buyers.
TOP 5 THING PEOPLE DON’T LIKE ABOUT YOUR HOUSE
(1)SMELL – overwhelmingly #1! mainly smoke, pet odors, cooking odors homeowners may be immune to odors but buyers aren’t
(2)CLEANLINESS - just simple old fashioned cleaning selling your home is an inconvenience – clean it up!
(3)SELLER AT HOME – buyers don’t feel they can really look at the home. This is particularly a problem with FSBO’S – For Sale By Owners.
(4)CLUTTER – Many sellers have a hard time selling because of the stuff.
(5)UNFINISHED PROJECTS – Houses with unfinished painting, flooring, trim, etc. give buyers a bad overall impression.
**REMEMBER – IT’S NOT YOUR HOME ANYMORE – IT’S THE NEW BUYERS, THE ONE YOU’RE HOPING TO FIND**
BUT NONE OF THE ABOVE MATTERS, IF YOU HAVE IT OVERPRICED!
If you have it overpriced and it doesn’t show well and faces competition from better priced, nicer looking homes…..do you really expect to sell it?
REMEMBER: A beautiful home increases the value of the home…
A poorly presented home can be a real deal breaker!
MARITZ RESEARCH POLL SAID:
52% of buyers said the kitchen had the most significant impact on their purchasing decision.
A beautiful kitchen increases the value of a home – poorly presented, it can kill a deal.
IRONY – The kitchen has the highest impact and it’s the simplest and least expensive to stage.
“You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression”
For more information on how I can help you to prepare and Stage your home, to sell faster and for more money, contact
Mary Ellen Gerster ASP, Accredited Staging Professional
Mary Ellen’s Staging & Design
705-328-0360
Accredited Staging Professional
