Home staging is NOT decorating.  Home staging is preparing a private residence prior to going up for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to sell a home quickly, and for the most money possible by attracting the highest amount of potential buyers. Staging focuses on improving a property to make it appeal to the largest number of buyers by transforming it into a welcoming, appealing, and attractive product for sale. Staging often raises the value of a property by way of reducing the home's flaws, depersonalizing, decluttering, cleaning, improving condition items, and landscaping. For vacant homes, rental furniture is used to create a living space the buyer could "see" themselves in. When properly executed staging leads the eye to attractive features while minimizing flaws.

Many techniques are used to stage a property. De-cluttering, depersonalizing, updating old or unattractive fixtures, painting, furniture rearrangement, rental furniture and accessorizing are just some of the changes used to make a home more inviting to potential buyers.  Homes containing furniture and accessories will probabaly sell more quickly than vacant homes, because the potential buyers realize what can actually be done with the place. They may realize that the room is actually a lot larger than it would look without furnishings. Rental of furniture and decorative accessories is a common solution when selling brand new properties that have never been occupied, or those where homeowners have already vacated the property.

Read more »

Despite the current real esate market, there are still plenty of homebuyers eager to make a purchase. Knowing how to prepare your home for sale, when to allow access for showings, and how you can offer buyer incentives will help you find the right buyer, even in a declining market.

Before you even put your home on the market, make sure that all basic repairs are completed. Nothing can turn off a prospective buyer quicker than loose railings, torn screens or missing hardware on cupboard doors. These easy repairs do not cost a lot of money. If a homebuyer sees that the little things are not attended to, they are likely to believe that the larger things are neglected too. Let buyers know that you have pride in your home by making sure that all of the small repairs are taken care of.

Keep your home clean throughout the time it is on the market. In a slow real estate market, it is important to have your home available to show at a moment's notice. The more often your home is shown, the likelier it is that your home will sell. Keep your home available to your realtor and they will be able to show your home quickly to any buyer that shows interest.

Read more »

When it's time to put the house on the market, many people wonder if they are better off selling as a "by owner" or using the services of a realtor.  The following are 12 steps why you should use a qualifed realtor when selling your home.

1.    Establishing the right price.  When selling your home, a realtor can give current information on the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties.  These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

2.    Providing objectivity.  When selling a realtor can provide an unemotional view of the home and what needs to be added or subtracted to make it more appealing for buyers.

3.    When, where and how to market your property.  Marketing that attracts offers, not just lookers.  A coordinated marketing campaign using the right combination of print advertising, direct mail and Internet ensures your home receives maximum exposure.  An experienced realtor can advise you on cost-effective strategies for ensuring your home looks its best to potential buyers.

4.    Identifying qualified buyers.  A realtor is able to pre-screen prospects to determine their qualifications before bringing them to you.

5.    Knowing your market.  As trained professionals who may have seen hundreds of homes similar to yours and know their features and selling prices, a realtor is well qualified to set a price that can bring the maximum number of offers for your home.

6.    Bringing buyers and sellers together.  A realtor may already have a buyer for your home! Successful realtors are continually replenishing their rosters of potential buyers, as well as networking with other real estate professionals who may have the prefect buyer for your home.

Read more »

If you wish to sell by owner and save money get used to graciously accepting buyers' comments, feelings, and quirks.  Always be businesslike and pleasant.  Let them know you are willing to discuss their concerns as buyers.  Work on creating a negotiated win-win transaction with everything in writing.

Selling your home can be a very exciting event.  Selling can also be complex, confusing, and frustrating, not to mention one the Biggest financial decisions you'll ever make.  The most important thing to remember is, DON'T OVERPRICE!  Pay for an appraisal.  If you don't like it, you don't have to use it, but if you like it and anyone offers you less, you can wave it in their face.  You can also ask agents for a Competitive Market Analysis.

Disclose every defect known whether major or minor and when in doubt, disclose it anyway.  Disclose any work done without permits.  As-is sales do not relieve sellers from disclosure obligations.  Find out what disclosures, inspections, and forms are required for your state and city.  Use an escrow company.  There are countless books available covering the ins and outs of selling your own home; and even if you don't read one cover to cover, have it on hand as a reference.  Consulting with a real estate attorney for advice as needed may be well worth the price of peace of mind.

Read more »

When you live in a home, your first concern is for your own comfort.  When you sell your home, your first concern is how buyers view your home.  First impressions are critical; you want your home to appeal to as many buyers as possible.  Preparation is the key to making a dramatic difference in how quickly you sell your home and what price you will obtain.

TO GET READY, CONSIDER THESE THINGS:

• Clean up & fix up.  Property with "curb appeal" sells quickly and commands a higher price than property without.  If you are selling a lot, have underbrush cleared out so that potential buyers can walk the property with no problem.

• Manicure the front lawn, mowing at least once a week while the property is on the market.  Edge the lawn up the driveway & along the sidewalks in both front & back for a finished appearance.  Keep sidewalks and driveway swept clean.

• Trim all shrubbery & low-lying branches on trees.  Trim trees on shrubs that obscure light from the interior of your home.

Read more »