The Importance of Setting the Scene
Author: Kim Johnson
Date Created: May 23, 2008 - 12:36:50 PM
The
Importance of Setting the Scene: Staging a Home for Sale
The booming real estate market of 2006 has reached a cooling off point
for most places around the United States, and for some it has gone cold. Now,
more than ever, staging a home for sale can be the most important thing a
seller can do. By following a few tips from the experts, a seller can increase
the value of their house as well as reduce the length of time it is on the
market.
Staging a home can mean the difference of thousands
of dollars. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports that a staged home
will for an average of 17 percent higher than an un-staged home. That means a
house listed at $250,000 can see an increase of close to $43,000. And those who
spent approximately $500 on staging increased their home’s value by an average
of $1,715.
Since most homeowners have
difficulty seeing their house objectively, it may be beneficial to request help
from friends, a realtor, or a staging professional.
Preparing the house for a showing can be a time
consuming process, and research shows that the longer a house stays on the
market the lower the selling price will be. Staging a house can mean the
difference between weeks or months on the market. The New York
Village Voice reported that the average
number of days an un-staged home is on the market is 30.9 versus 13.9 for a
staged home.
Increase
Curb Appeal: The buyer’s first impression starts here
-
Look for chipped paint, especially around the doors
and trim, and touch up where needed.
-
Always keep the yard mowed and edged.
-
Add touches of color with plants and flowers, and
keep garden areas manicured.
-
Rent a power washer and clean surfaces like brick,
siding, sidewalks, and driveways.
-
Clear spider webs from entry ways, and make sure
there is plenty of light.
Kitchens:
The heart of a house
-
De-clutter counter tops; find a cabinet to hide
appliances and everyday items.
-
Keep cabinets organized to make them look as large
as possible.
-
Remove personal items from the refrigerator, like
drawings and pictures.
-
Consider updating a few appliances; this can add a
lot of value to the home.
-
Make sure there is plenty of light.
-
Clean all surfaces including grout, sinks, corners,
and floors.
Living
Rooms: Help the buyer picture their family here
-
Consider the flow of the room and arrange furniture
in a way that is functional and inviting. If you have too much furniture you
may want to consider renting a storage space.
-
Remove pictures and personal items.
-
Bring the outside in by adding a plant or fresh
flowers.
-
Bring attention to wood floors by polishing them, and
rent a steam cleaner to make the carpet look as new as possible.
Bathrooms:
Clean should be the first thing on the buyers mind
-
Clean all surfaces, especially grout.
-
De-clutter cabinets making them look as large as
possible. Consider buying organizers to hide personal products.
-
Replace old faucets and fixtures. This can be a
relatively inexpensive way to update the room.
-
Always neutralize bathroom smells before a buyer
arrives.
-
Add coordinating towels and bathmats to detract
from dated counter tops and tile.
-
Replace light bulbs to brighten the sink area.
Bedrooms:
Should be uncluttered and relaxing
-
Organize the bedroom by arranging furniture in a
way that makes the room seem comfortable and spacious. Remove unnecessary
furniture items and store them in a storage unit.
-
Make the bed look like it is in a hotel. Linens
should be coordinating and clean.
-
Remove pictures and personal items.
-
Store unnecessary closet items to make closets
appear as large as possible. Make sure closets have plenty of light.
-
Consider repainting the room to a neutral tone if
the color is bright.
Staging a home may be one
of the most important things a seller can do for their home. Following the
staging tips above can help ease the stress of selling a home, increase the
homes value, and shorten the time on the market.
About Author:
Kim Johnson contributes to a real estate agent directory that
focuses on helping people find the best realtor from a list of pre-screened
real estate agents.
Find your next real
estate agent at http://realestate.clicksmart.com
.
Powered by Dime-Co.Com
