Professional Staging
Having your home professionally staged can make your house feel more inviting. On a show, I saw a profession decorator rearrange the interior of the home and the second floor deck. A once cold and uninviting deck, it was transformed and became a warm and comfortable place to be. The ambience was set with a copper fire pit and wooden benches lined with soft cushions. When an open house was hosted, everyone enjoyed the interior, but the deck was favored. It was re-listed, and was sold in a month. That was much faster than when it was originally listed and sat for months without any offers.
Hiring a designer can cost as little as $150 for a consultation. If you like what you hear, you can pay a few hundred more. The designer will then bring plants, art and furniture and place your unneeded items in storage. By showing your home in the best light, it lets visitors see the possibilities that the space holds, which increases buyer interest.
Environmentally Friendly
Because of rising energy costs and everyone moving towards being “green,” houses with environmentally friendly features are in demand. While you’re consulting your professional decorator, be sure to ask for ideas on such tips. Some of these things include changing to energy-saving compact fluorescent, placing a compost bin in the backyard and placing filters on faucets. Make sure that your realtor points out the energy efficient water heater and furnace, indicated by the yellow sticker.
Fix It Up
Trends show that buyers do not want to fix their potential houses, so sellers should be prepared to fix any problems. If not, a few dollars could cost them a big loss on the selling price. When fixing things, be sure to give your home the contemporary feel when replacing old fixtures in your bathroom and kitchen as well as the ceiling, cabinet knobs, and others. Remove any mirrored walls, wall paper and paneling that are too old, and paint over them. Painting them white offers a pallet for potential home buyers’ imagination.
Use the Internet
The president of realtor.com, Errol Samuelson, 80% of buyers check online listings. Using online listings exposes your home to more people, especially if it is posted on a popular real estate website. Samuelson notes that listings with 6 flattering photos of the house and a video tour get up to 300% more online viewers. The more interest garnered, the faster your home will sell. Be sure to use technology as best you can to ensure your home sells.
Price Appropriately
There are a number of ways people try to sell homes. Some offer incentives like paid vacations and free gym memberships. Owner of the Lakshore Condominiums in Phoenix, developer Robert Sheridan, found that incentives were an unsuccessful strategy. He offered kitchen upgrades and financing incentives, which proved to be futile. Eventually, he cut prices by 10% and sold his condos.
Many homes sellers are pricing their homes like last year’s pricing, but many buyers are looking for better deals. The current market supports the buyers, so sellers must be realistic when pricing their homes. Listen to any advice your realtor gives you, as they have a stronger sense of the market pulse. Be sure to check out current listings in your area to compare. Just keep in mind that higher priced homes are not likely to sell.