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Get your Asking Price – or More
05/09/2008 - By Sandi Gerrard sale sign
If you are thinking about putting your house on the market now and hope to sell, move and get settled as quickly as possible - home owners take note. The average buyer has little imagination when it comes to projecting themselves into a resale home.
Even though you spent countless hours painting and decorating for yourselves it means little to the young couple viewing your home. They may enjoy a cursory glance at your novels and the cute family snapshots adorning the walls. They may be awed by your china and crystal collection. But it will never feel like their home. They won’t be able to get past your personal style. You want them to feel at ease, welcomed and able to imagine themselves living there.
Real estate agents know the importance of de-cluttering and de-personalizing and they’ll be the first to tell you so if they list your house on the market. Many of them use a redesigner (or home stager) or can recommend one to review their listings. Redesigners enhance a home’s appearance and create broad appeal, adjusting everything from furniture layout to interior colours. In a competitive real estate market, the small investment in these services has shown dramatic payback both in terms of average selling times and more importantly higher selling prices.
Most buyers will develop an opinion about a house within the first 60 seconds. Sometimes that opinion is formed by the appearance of the contents of the house. If you have ever been inside a model home, you have seen the impact of professional design. Redesigners create the same feel using your existing furniture and accessories.
Redesign consultants can also assist you in preparing the house yourself. Many will provide a written report or “to-do” list for you to follow step by step. They offer an objective view by putting themselves in the position of a buyer. Redesigners will apply a portfolio of techniques to assess your home and let you know what is standing in the way of making a great first impression. Aside from all the little things, it’s important to redefine your rooms. Make sure that the living room actually looks like a living room. If you have kids, chances are they’ve taken over the entire house. Toys and video games don’t make a great first impression. What about the dining room? With hectic schedules and take out food, chances are you’ve got a laptop, bills and homework piled up. Clear the table and just pretend that fine dining actually takes place in the dining room. Have you got a piece of trim missing or a crack in the wall that has been there so long you don’t even see it anymore? You can bet a buyer will see it right away.
Once the obvious issues are addressed, the furnishings can be artfully arranged to create intimate conversation areas and focal points that highlight the architectural selling features of the house. Strive for a balance between an elegant, uncluttered look while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Sure it’s difficult, but as soon as that FOR SALE sign goes up on the lawn you must start thinking of your home as “just a house”. You have to start the packing process anyway, so why not edit and eliminate your possessions at this stage of the game. You’ll save valuable time if you only pack what you really intend to move.
A staged home sells faster – and you deserve top dollar for your well loved home. The cost of a professional redesign will be insignificant compared to having to make a price reduction to get things moving. So go ahead - turn your space into a showplace !
Sandi Gerrard, CRSS
Feel at Home Interior ReDesign
416.795.9840
www.sandiathome.com
