Staging Your Louisville Home to Sell
In case you are unfamiliar with the term, Staging is simply the concept of making your home as attractive as possible while it is on the market. The context is the same as washing and waxing your car before trying to sell it or batheing your children before church. You want people to have a favorable impression.
Buyers (especially the first-time home buyers currently dominating the market) often cannot imagine what a house could look like. Instead they see what it does look like. So, if they see a dirt, clutter, or colors they do not like, they walk away. Occasionally this is to their own detriment as they may pass on an excellent home over something that has little relevance. However, it is ALWAYS a problem for you as a seller.
I am not a Stager nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night. I do, however, know what Louisville buyers expect when they enter a house. More importantly, I know what they do NOT expect. An unkept, odor-filled house comes in third after dead-bodies and functioning meth labs.
Excluding price and location, the difference between a home selling and languishing is generally its condition. The good news is that most issues can be resolved quickly and inexpensively. Best of all, professional Stagers do exist in Louisville and can help address the critical items that would otherwise cause problems. During the listing appointment, your real estate agent (me, of course) will talk about these things so they can be addressed prior to putting the house on the market.
Key Points
Cleaning
On multiple occasions, I have entered a home with clients only to turn around and walk back out. This only occurs because the home is a mess or has a strong odor. Each time, it is disappointing as the clients obviously had an interest in the home. As sellers, cleaning is possibly the best investment you can make in your home. A few hours of work and $50 worth of supplies could put hundreds if not thousands of dollars in your pocket. If you are too busy, spend the money and hire a cleaning service.
Clutter
Your pictures, bowling trophies, thimble collections, etc are great. They reflect who you are and make help turn your house into a home. You should display these items proudly UNLESS you are trying to sell. Buyers have their own stuff and want to try to envision it in the house. This is hard enough under the best of circumstances, but nearly impossible if your stuff is in the way (see paragraph 2). So pack it up.
While you are at it, pack everything that is not an absolute necessity for the next few months. This includes out of season clothes, extra dishes, towels, linens, shoes, books, children's toys, etc. Countertops should be mostly clear, closets should be 1/2 full, and walls should have a minimal number of items hanging from them. The object is to make the home look as spacious as possible. When in doubt, pack it.
Color
The black paint supports your teenager's Goth image, the blue dining room shows your dedication to the University of Kentucky, and the purple inspires passion in the master bedroom. I get it. Now paint over it. The chances of another sex-crazed, Wildcat fan with a manic-depressive kid buying your home are low. You need to appeal to the masses. Again, buyers can't see past color. It's such an easy thing to do.
Purpose
Finally, remember that each room should have one purpose. Take the computer out of the kitchen. Remove the card table from the center of the living room and take the home gym out of the master bedroom.
Summary
Simple things can prevent your home from selling for top dollar or even from selling at all. By properly preparing your home for the market, you can influence buyers. Take a few minutes, start at the front door, and walk through your home as a buyer would. Ask yourself if you notice the house or the stuff. Are things out of place or dirty? Can you move through it easily and does everything make sense? If you see something wrong, buyers will too. You need to fix it before the house goes on the market.
There are professional Stagers in Louisville who can help for a fairly minimal cost. During the listing appointment, I'll be glad to give you some contact names.
This the 4th post in a 7-part series. For more, click the following link...How to Sell a Louisville Home
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Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed REALTOR with RE/MAX Alliance in Louisville. If you need a Louisville Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.
I specialize in the following areas of the Metro Louisville Area: Prospect, Middletown, Jeffersontown (J-Town), Fern Creek, Okolona, Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Hillview, Brooks and Pewee Valley. Click the following links to learn more about Louisville and Bullitt County Real Estate or to Search for Louisville Homes
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How about sitting outside on open house day with a boom box playing KC and the Sunshine Band and Barry White. That'll pimp it up good.
Erik - Do people have a lot of computers in the kitchen where you are from? I cant say that I have seen that too often, but I still think its a good tip to keep rooms separate, especially when selling a home. Not everyone utilizes a space the same, but it should still be a functioning room.
David - LMAO- That would certainly be one approach.
John - I've seen it several times. Usually in smaller 3 bedroom homes where 2+ kids live. The family has outgrown the house and needs every square inch. It can be a sacrifice until the houes sells, but by making the commitment to do it correctly, the return will justify the effort.