Secrets of a Quick Sale - "Staging"

The Youngs received four offers after they had their house on the market for just one week!! Finally, they sold their house at $6,000 more than their original asking price. How did this happen in this Buyers' Market?!

Let me tell you how: Mr. Young had his house redecorated inside and outside before he put it on the market, plus, he set a very reasonable asking price. That's why his house was sold in such a short time!

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to sell your house, it would be best to "stage" it before you put it on the market. To "stage" your home is to show the most attractive qualities of your resident to buyers, and thus make the sale of your house a smoother process. I am going to give you a few tips on how to "stage" your home - ideas that do not require spending a lot of money.

The paint job is one of the first things a potential buyer notices. If the paint is peeling, buy some paint and go to work. But, before you do, repair the nicks and dents and get rid of the peeling old paint first, otherwise, it might look worse than before. The time and energy you spend on this detail will definitely produce surprising results and payoff in the end. The color scheme you choose is also very important. Try to choose some neutral and warm colors, with matching color for the trim. Make your house stand out from the others on your street. Also, improve the curb appearance of your house by trimming back the bushes so your house is not obscured from view. A neat and tidy front yard says "Welcome Home" to potential buyers.

Hardwood floors are in great demand nowadays. If you have carpet over hardwood floors - and if the carpet is old - it might be a good time to get rid of it and to show off your beautiful and refinished hardwood floor. If you do not have a hardwood floor, replacing the carpet with a soft color floor coverings and painting the interior walls off-white will give your home a more spacious look. Unless your house has historical architectural features, the outdated light fixtures, window coverings, door knobs and locks, are some of the items you might consider replacing.

The Kitchen and the Bathrooms are most effective Selling Points. The ideal situation would be to remodel both, of course! The buyers definitely would be attracted by a house with a brand new kitchen countertop and cabinets, and bathrooms with new floor covering and shinny faucets. If your budget is limited, you can still make your house attractive by doing a thorough cleaning of the kitchen especially the appliances. After cleaning the bathrooms, redo the caulking around the sinks and tubs. Mildew in those areas turn buyers away.

The way you live in a home and the way you sell a house are two different things. We all have some clutter in our homes. There is nothing wrong with that. But when you are trying to sell your home, it is a brand-new ball game. 'De-clutter' your house. This step costs the least, yet it will really pay off. Pack the extra things in boxes and stack them neatly in one corner of the garage. Rooms crowded with plants, knickknacks or too many pieces of furniture look smaller. Removing extra things will help emphasize the spaciousness of the house and make it easier for buyers to mentally move their things into your home. If it is a vacant property you are trying to sell, after doing the appropriate steps mentioned above, you may consider to further "staging" the house by renting a little furniture to place in the residence. This will give it a warm family atmosphere, and potential buyers will feel more at home when they come to view it.

Some Building Contractors specialize in upgrading or repairing houses to make them ready for the market. These contractors, who work closely with Realtors, know the real estate market trends and buyers' preferences. They emphasize quality and details of workmanship. If you do not have the time or energy to do the remodeling yourself, it is a good idea to hire one of these contractors to help you with this step. Tract developers use beautifully decorated models to sell homes that are not yet even fully built. As a smart seller, you can use the same techniques these developers employ so successfully. Buyers only know what they can see. So, make sure your best property is displayed to its best advantage.

As I have mentioned, "staging" a property usually does not mean spending a lot. But, the time and energy you spend in getting your house ready to sell will earn you money!