Studies Show Staging Increases Selling Price
By Michael Hughes February 4, 2010
Showing activity is the strongest the first few weeks get all these things done first, then show your home in its best light.
- Have a pre-inspection done. Fix any problems on the inspection list. This will alleviate many problems up-front.
- Set the right price. A seller may think she’s just testing the market with a high price tag, assuming buyers will at least make an offer, but buyers may assume she’s unreasonable and move on. Your goal should be a fair price — something that’s reasonable given the price of other homes in your area. Buyers who are actively searching for a fairly-priced home will aggressively pursue what they perceive as fair market value.
- Use a buyer’s point of view to make your analysis. How desirable is it? Truly? Take a buyer’s view.
- Look through listed properties in your neighborhood that are similar to yours. Make yours better.
- Make sure when you walk through your property that it flows easily and that the rooms are not congested with furnishings, family photos or knick knacks.
- Properly staging your home will ensure a quick sale at a higher price than an un-staged home. The property needs to look good starting at the street. Attractive, inviting and well cared for. In other words neat as a pin, good colors, fresh paint and a trimmed attractive front yard.
- Odors are a huge turn-off to potential buyers. Do not cook with heavy garlic or spices during this period also take that cat box out of the laundry room and get some odor controlling kitty litter. Keep air fresh in closets and bathrooms. Bake cookies to give an inviting aroma.
- Windows especially with views need to be washed inside and out.
- Install the brightest bulbs possible to light rooms. This is no time to be “green.”
- Make sure you have sorted and donated unnecessary items, clothing and furnishings you no longer use. Get a tax receipt for these to deduct.
- Containerize off-season clothes, shoes and coats and store.
- Clean like you have never cleaned before. Trim, mow and clean the outdoors for drive-bys. Clean the closets, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, the kitchen and the oven(s). Bathtubs and sinks should be spotless and freshly caulked. Put fresh towels and soap in bathrooms. Replace shower curtains if necessary.
- Noise and toys to a minimum. Keep toys in one area. Keep televisions, radios and music off. Get pets outdoors or confined to their area. While some of us love our pets not everyone shares the same feeling.
- Keeping your home showing ready will be money in your pocket. Develop a routine. Before each showing. Pick up every room! Turn on all lights! Open all drapes, shades and blinds. Baking cookies or a coffee cake in the oven has a long lasting inviting effect. Television and Radio off, less is more. Fireplace in winter may be on, otherwise off. Air conditioning if the weather is warm have you’re a/c on to bring the house to a comfortable temperature if cold have the home heated to a comfy temperature. Entryway; This is the first and last impression made. Make it clean and inviting. Open all interior doors to give an inviting feeling
When you leave your house for the day, feel good knowing you have done everything in your control to make your house stand out from all the competition.
When you have questions about this list or any Boulder Real Estate question please give me a call at 303-359-6627. You may also e-mail Michael Hughes.
