Home Staging
You wouldn't think you'd have to tell people to de-clutter their houses and eliminate odors, but you do. Imagine going out on your first date. You want to impress them, usually. Imagine then, that every buyer that looks at your home is like a first date. Be impressive.
The real problem for most people is that they live in their house day in and day out. A little clutter here, a little clutter there and it's barely noticeable when you're busy with career and children. Time is a scarce commodity with two career couples, and after a full days work, commuting and taking care of children, it's usually time to sleep. So, even when many people realize that their house in not in optimum "demo mode," they often just don't have the energy to do what they intrinsically know needs to be done.
Yet, I've seen some people drive to another town to save 7 cents a gallon on gas, that on a 15 gallon tank is $1.05. Hmmmm! But they won't take an extra half hour to unclutter the house and spray "Cinnamon Mist" to mask last nights fish fry, which might make the difference of THOUSANDS in sales price. Do you know an auto dealer that DOESN'T keep their showroom cars spotless? I thought so.
Try to keep in mind that if a $20,000 auto needs to be spotless to sell well, and for top dollar, wouldn't that also make sense for a $450,000 house?
Home Stagers
Real estate agents have been giving home sellers "tips" brochures for years and years about presenting homes for showing. The problem was many individual home sellers and real estate agents alike didn't really have an "eye" for unclutter, color, furniture placement, etc. to enhance a home's best features.
Enter the Home Stager. In my opinion, the best are a combination organizer and interior decorator. Some are high-end specialists for sure, but most can be hired for relatively reasonable fees. It's best to let them know your budget, so they know what they have to work with. It may be great to have $10,000 worth of decorating and services to put your home in its best light, but if you only have $1,500 available, then you go with what you have. Once they know their parameters, they'll do the best they can with what they've got to work with.
If you need advice in this area, we have several we work with, or you can check out the yellow pages to find one in your area. Ask how long they've been in business, and if they have some past clients you can call as references, and get an idea of the fee structure. Like any professional they don't work for nothing, and unlike real estate agents, they usually get paid when they do the work, not if there is a sale.
Chris Michaud
Acceptance Group WPI
(978) 697-8568 PHONE
chris@acceptancegroup.com
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