| SELLING YOUR RESIDENCE: HOME STAGING |
| |
By Virginia Leeming
Take out your pen and jot down these words, “Home
Staging”. In today’s real estate market your
home must make a favourable impression on the potential
buyer. Presenting it in the best possible condition, or
home staging, will make the difference between a quick
sale at a high price or a lengthy sale at a
lower price.
“I’ve had clients who’ve not understood
the value of improving their property before marketing
it and I’ve had clients who have put in that extra
effort. Time and again it’s been proven to me that
with the extra effort, a property will sell for a better
price and in a shorter period of time,” says Tennyson
Haughton, a realtor with Sutton with a 15-year track record
of successful selling.
Matthew Collinge of Royal LePage concurs. He advises removing
the kids’ drawings, the clutter and the dated painting
over the couch. “Remember, they (the buyers) want
to buy a house to make their own. They have to be able
to picture their lives in your house.”
So where to being the transition from a pumpkin into a
coach? Haughton advises to look at your home’s exterior
through the eyes of the buyer. The first impression is
a lasting one. It’s called curb appeal.
Painting has the greatest impact with the least amount
of cost, adds Haughton, and will make the exterior look
fresh. Repair cracks in the driveway and paths. Trim grass
and hedges; add colourful flowers and place potted flowers
on the doorsteps. Paint the front door a fresh colour
and replace any burnt-out lights. Put out a new doormat.
Indoors, repair any cracks in plaster, and replace anything
that is broken or missing. Clean as if your mother was
coming over to give it the white glove inspection. If
you don’t have the time or the desire, hire professionals.
Remove glass light fixtures and clean out bugs. Repaint
a dark or intensely coloured wall in a neutral shade.
Bear in mind that lighter colours will make a room appear
larger. Decorate to please the market, not yourself. Be
sure to clean inside ovens and fridges.
Open and close all doors to ensure they don’t stick.
Have windows perfectly clean and be sure to open curtains
or blinds to allow in the maximum amount of light.
Floors must be sparkling clean, ditto for carpets. If
the carpet is worn, remove or replace. Remove carpeting
over hardwood floors and have refinished and stained if
required. Hardwood floors are very popular and will add
value to
your property.
Once the repair work is completed and you have cleaned
thoroughly, go around each room and remove, remove, remove.
This includes personal photos, stacks of magazines and
bric-a-brac. Invest in a fresh floral arrangement.
Go into closets and clean out the clutter. Rent locker
space to store the overflow. If closets are bulging, remove
as much as possible to make the closet space seem larger
and well organized. Replace any wire hangers with plastic
or wooden ones. Buy fresh bed linen and pillows to give
the bedroom and upscale appearance.
Rover or Fluffy may be a cherished pet, but they won’t
enhance your home. Buyers will be thinking about flea-infested
carpets or pet hair and dander if they have allergies.
Animals should be absent during open house.
Some seller will store their furnishings and accessories
to give the home greater appeal. Vancouver-based DEKORA
specializes in preparing properties for sale, and according
to the testimonials of clients, it gets results. The company
offers cleaning, organizing, painting, landscaping and
repair services. It also rents furnishings and art, based
on your budget and style requirements.
Check grouting and calking around the tub. If water is
collecting behind the tiles a housing inspector will be
sure to discover it and your asking price will fall like
a stone. Remove everything from the medicine cabinet.
Buy a new shower curtain and clean the chrome until it
shines.
Have something fragrant on the stove such as cinnamon
and cloves in a simmering pot of water.
If you take the extra time and effort you will reap the
benefit when it comes to signing on the dotted line. If
you’re still not convinced, consider this comment
in Newsweek –
“People who don’t spend a few dollars to prepare
their homes, whether it be $5,000 or $10,000 or even $30,000,
depending on the price point, are out of their minds.”
– Barbara Corcoran, Founder & President,
The Corcoran Group – New York City’s
premier real estate company with 11 offices, 700 salespeople
and 4 billion in revenue.
And a friendly reminder, empty spaces are not welcoming.
If the space is empty it is less likely to sell than one
that is tastefully furnished.
If your prospective buyer asks why you are selling, keep
the reason to yourself. “My housing needs have changed”
is all you need to say. If they think you are in a rush
to sell or that you have to relocate by a certain month,
the might try to negotiate the price down.
|
 |
| Next
Article > |
|
|
|
