Home Buyers Start on The Internet
What number one thing do you believe is key in attracting someone to
your home, on the Internet?
Okay-besides price. If your price is $250,000, there are likely 4,000
other homes with that exact price.
Staging and Timing
There have been many real estate articles on how to stage a home. Not so
much on WHEN to stage.
So, here's a little quiz for you.
When should you have your home staged:
1.
When your Realtor stops by for the initial
listing appointment.
2.
When your home's photos are being taken for
all of the marketing
material.
3.
When your home is being shown to buyers.
Yes. It was a trick question. Yes. All three answers work.
BUT, the best Answer is #2: the photo shoot.
Sellers, before you put your home on the market, get your house
in tip-top shape for the photo shoot!
Prior to your listing appointment (and for your own peace of mind) pack
the things away that you don't anticipate using for a while.
Be
Diligent:
Closet by closet, drawer by drawer, room by room.
Box those
things up, label them well (top and side) and store them out of the
normal walking paths of your home...a spare room, the attic, garage or a
storage unit.
Why is this so very important? The buyers look online first. And a
picture is worth, well for you, maybe it's worth a sale! The buyer has
picked your home for many reasons. Price, Location and Condition lead
the way.
They want their Realtor to show it to them because of the pictures.
How to Prepare Your Home for Sale
Then really roll your sleeves up and clean your home.
Including light
fixtures, light bulbs, blinds, near the door knobs...in nooks and
crannies...all of them. It's a lot of work, but it will help your home
out-shine your competition.
It is amazing how some folks put their homes on the market.
Some are
PERFECT!
Others, pigpens. Don't be a pigpen.
Would you want to clean up someone else's
mess, once you move in? Probably not.
Neither will a prospective buyer.
As Realtors, this is what we hear from our buyers the moment we enter
into a pigpen..."NEXT"...and off to the next house we go. It's a lost
opportunity for you, and a waste of time for everyone else.
It would be a shame to go through the inconvenience of having your home
on the market and never understanding why it won't sell.
This first
effort is will make your time on the market shorter, and more
tolerable...really.
The Home
Photo Shoot
Now, you don't really have to be an expert stager, but you should
consider some of these basic tips to follow for staging your home for
the photos.
The Kitchen: You do have to make sure the clutter is removed from the
counter tops. Clearing off these areas, will make the pictures of your
kitchen look larger and cleaner.
Place dish soap under the sink, salt and
pepper in the cabinet, rugs and dish towels out of sight...you get the
idea.
For the kitchen, it's fine to have decorative pieces at the top of the
cabinets, and maybe a grouping of three decorative pieces on the
countertop...or nothing at all. Put the coffee maker and toaster
somewhere else-just for a minute (out of camera view).
Remember, sellers, this is just for the photo shoot, not how you'll have
to live!
Lights: literally, turn on the lights
Camera: batteries, please:)
Action: Step back deep into the corners of the room and get a variety of
shots. Move up and down to catch the floors or the ceilings. Discover
the best look for the home through the lens of your camera.
On to the Living Room and Den:
The techniques are pretty much the same throughout each area of the
house.
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A Plan of Action
Remove clutter, remove the shoes in the hallway, put away stray
papers, toys, toys, toys..remotes, remotes, remote control changers.
If you have to
purchase some cheap up lights to hide behind couches and chairs, do so.
Make sure the lighting in the room is good. Move the up lighting around
to help each room as you make your way through the home.
Bedrooms:
Use good lighting, tilt the blinds, put your valuables away...(we don't
want your house to become the next home shopping network)... laundry
baskets, and such, should all be tucked away during the photo shoot.
Bathrooms:
This tip does not have to do with staging, but put away any
prescriptions like you would your valuables (keep them tucked away
throughout your time on the market).
Next, remove the throw rugs, bring
out your best looking towels, and place all your daily products in the
cabinets...just for the photo shoot. Your shampoo and loofah really have
no place in the photo.
Home Curb Appeal
The yard is another story.
Go for clean curb appeal, front and back
yard, sidewalks, shrubs, etc.
Our Charlotte real estate market is highly
competitive, and I imagine yours is, too. So, to repeat, get serious.
Clean it up or hire someone to do so, prior to the photos being taken!
The Realtor makes the appointment and shows the buyers your home.
How should your home look for the showings?
It should be very presentable, and the closer you can show it in its
"staged condition", the better.
The buyers and the agent understand that
it is occupied. You do not have to move the toaster, and the coffee
maker.
You DO have to keep it clean (that includes the smell), neat,
tidy, and uncluttered.
The buyers (whether or not they are local or
relocating buyers) will revisit your home time and time again through
the use of the photos-Internet or Brochure.
Once you have it under contract, the next showing will most likely be to
the home inspectors!
Our Charlotte real estate market is highly
competitive, and I imagine yours is, too.
So, to repeat, get serious.
Clean it up or hire someone to do so, prior to the photos being taken!
Need to Sell? 704-975-1733
We have been serving Charlotte since 1994-Hire experience and get a deal to boot!
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