THINKING OF PUTTING YOUR HOUSE ON THE MARKET? TIP AND TRICKS FROM THE EXPERTS

February 26,2013

YOUR HOUSE SPEAKS VOLUMES..WHAT IS IT SAYING TO POTENTIAL BUYERS? PUTTING YOU BEST FOOT FORWARD WILL GET YOU THE MOST MONEY. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE...REMEMBER STAGE FIRST!

When there are too many homes on the market for the level of demand, prices go down and the length of time on the market goes up. This is bad news for homeowners as it means less money in their pocket on their biggest investment. How can anxious home sellers increase their chances of a quick and profitable sale in the current real estate market?

Most importantly, the home must stand out from the crowd and be a welcoming island in the sea of homes for sale. Without a doubt, having a home professionally staged is the single best way to outshine the competition. Home staging or real estate staging is the art of decorating a home to sell quickly and for top dollar.

Go ahead¦ let the potential buyer Dream.....Create a home that surrounds them in style and comfort. Let their dreams become a reality.

It has been said that œBuyers are irrational beings. Buyers think that they make their decisions through a reasonable weighing of the facts. However, research shows that they actually buy from their emotions first and use their logic skills second. Once someone has chosen what to buy, they then look for reasons why it is a good decision. This is truer in buying a home than in any other purchase. You need to evoke those emotions from a potential buyer. They will overlook a lot of œflaws and œprice if they fall in love with your home the moment they walk in the door.

Create that Moment:

How big a statement can you afford?

When we buy a house and throw open the doors to friends and family, we're making a statement about ourselves. We are settling down, yes. But we're also saying: œWe can afford this. Look at what we've done. We are prospering. We Have Arrived!

How do you create that environment in your home for a potential buyer??

Your House Speaks Volumes... What Messages Are You Sending?

Every inch of your house tells a story. The way that you prepare - or don't prepare your home for sale says a lot about you and your house. Sellers, you have the ability to send very powerful messages to your prospects and it's up to you to decide if those messages are positive or negative

Sometimes You Need A Few New Things

I did a staging consultation a few days ago at a house that was clutter-free, in perfect order, in excellent condition, and........boring. There was nothing at all to lend any pizzazz to the house, making the potential buyer say œThis is the one I want!Sure, the location was good. The size was very good for a growing family, which is what the neighborhood is filled with. But there wasn't a œwow factor. And the seller didn't have anything that would help.

So my suggestion was to invest a little money. Not a lot of money, and not for things that (probably) wouldn't be used in the next house. But spending a little money on accessorizing to add that special œwow factor is money well spent, even if they are things you may not use.

Here are a few suggestions for ways to create interest in your house, help it show better, and make it memorable in the potential buyers' eyes.

1. Reduce Drive By's:

Cub appeal helps draw prospective buyers into your home. If the outside of a house looks unkempt, it creates an impression that the property is not care for. To enhance curb appeal: Ensure the lawn is freshly cut and leaves are raked. Ensure the exterior gets a good pressure wash and the walk ways are scrubbed and cleaned. Paint if you need to¦

2. Forgetting about the œfront door:

Owners rarely use their front door so they tend to forget about what other people see when approaching their home. Stand back and have a critical eye.

a) Nice tree or potted plant, colorful flowers.

b) Welcome mat

c) Seasonal Wreath on front door

d) Update porch light if necessary, make sure its sparkling

e) Swept clean

f) Paint front door if necessary

g) Polish hardware if necessary

1. First Impression forgotten in foyers

People forget that it only takes 10 seconds when a person enters a home to know if they could picture themselves living in that home. First impressions are lasting impressions. Build the œwow factor.

a) Add an entry Table with Mirror above (Mirror doubles the space and reflects

light)

b) Decorate table with odd number items preferably three (i.e.: Greenery or floral, Candle burning for fragrance, Object d Art (No personal Pictures)

c) Add beautiful buffet style table lamp for ambiance

d) Add a clean decorative entry rug

1. Stash the keepsakes and keep you home clutter free:

Your treasured keepsakes may look like clutter to potential buyers. It distracts them from appreciating the house itself and can lead home buyers to reject your property and view it as œinvading your personal space. De-cluttering is essential however...

2. Too much DDN can turn beautiful into boring

De-cluttering, depersonalizing and neutralizing.....These are the most common buzz words used in staging, but too much of

a good thing can be detrimental to your overall look. You don't want to come across too œBeige and boring. You don't want your home to look like an empty box with no personality.

a) Add color to your basic furniture with decorative pillows, throws, floral, greens and candles

b) Be conscious of the lighting. You need three types.

Overhead or general lighting,

Accent lighting (table lamps)

Task lighting (for desks or buffets etc)

1. Color is your friend when you want to sell your house

In most cases white looks cold and sterile and builder beige is boring. If you have to repaint a home's interior or some rooms in a home, chose a pleasing color palette that allows each room to flow nice into the next. All colors should go together.

Try to repeat one signature color throughout a home. Maybe the feature color in one room can be used as an accent in the others, through accessories or throw pillows.

Check door jams for nicks and scratches.

2. Beware of the Boring Bed Syndrome

Look at your bed, does it look inviting, or does it have a warn bedspread, pancake pillows and a disheveled look?

a) Buy a new bed set, with matching bed skirt, Shams Euro Shams and decorative pillows.

b) Buy new bed pillows. This is the most overlooked item in the home.

c) Accent the bed with a cozy throw and accent pillows.

d) If you don't have a headboard buy an over the door iron piece, flank with candle sconce.

e) Buy a new down filled mattress pad for under the bed set. The loftier the bed the better.

1. Tattered Towels and Tainted Toiletries

Transform your bathrooms from utilitarian to spa luxury

a) Purchase new fluffy coordinated towels (ie. Bath hand and wash cloths) (Make sure you have enough) Rolled to perfection on tubs and counter tops. Replace dingy shower curtains with coordinating style and colors to other bath accessories

b) Purchase matching tissue box, soap pumpers or soap dish, waste basket

c) Freshen up your bath mats and floor rugs to match

d) Counter tops should be free of clutter, no burnt out candles, or empty perfume bottles or deodorant sticks or toothbrushes in sight. Stow away all shampoos, bathing products from showers.

e) Tub surround should have beautiful new candles, greens, towels

f) Make sure all areas are squeaky clean

1. Make a big impact with a little art

By strategically using art, you can enhance a home's perceived value, draw the eye away from tiny flaws, give an otherwise uninteresting space a focal point and replace personal memorabilia. Don't just throw things on the wall where an old picture hook happens to be. Position art at eye level and use pieces that are appropriate to the size of the wall. Art with a large fro on a small wall can make the entire area seem. Avoid religious art of anything edgy that could be offensive to some potential buyers.

2. Freshen the Air

If people can smell it, you cannot sell it!

a) Firstly, clean all floors, carpets, and upholstery to get rid of lingering odors.

b) Buy scented candles and burn them regularly to have the scent permeate the air. Eucalyptus is a great air freshener.

c) A fresh bunch or dried in a beautiful vase will help disguise any odors.

d) Wash Fido, hide the litter box (preferable one with a cover) and pawn off the guinea pig to Aunt Sally. Nothing is worse than pet odors in the home. That can be an immediate turn off to many people when they walk in the home.

e) Bake some cookies. Remember you are appealing to all the senses.

f) NO SMOKING IN THE HOUSE!

Remember, people buy Homes not Houses.

If these tasks seem overwhelming.....Hire a professional. Save yourself time, energy and costly mistakes by hiring a home staging professional. They know all the œtricks of the trade to make your home look as appealing as possible.

Hometenders of America...is not only your Vacant Home Solution, but they also have a staff of Interior Designers that can help stage you home for you as well.

Visit their website at www.hometendersofamerica.net

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Hometenders of America LLC

4804882629

Cyndee Bezik

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