Top 10 Tips for Packaging Your House to Sell During the Holidays

Top 10 Tips for Packaging Your House to Sell During the Holidays

By Jennie Norris, ASPM®, IAHSP-Premier®, ASP-SRS®, ASP-REO®

Owner, Sensational Home Staging – 

Denver Region’s Premier Home Staging Resource

The holidays are just around the corner and many Realtors will tell you that the last quarter of the year is often their best for closing sales.  Homeowners might think that it’s best to wait until the start of next year to put their house on the market and yet the last couple of months of the year are a good time to sell because there is less inventory and more serious buyers, and tax benefits as well.

If you are contemplating Selling in December here are some key tips to keep in mind:

1.  Get a Staging Professional 3^rd Party Opinion.

     A Stager is not tied to the sale of the house and many times what is shared is received as truly objective.  A professional Stager is going to be honest about any changes that need to be done in the house from simply packing up excess to painting, updating, and rearranging.  They will create a specific plan of action and are available to help the seller implement it if needed. If you are a Realtor® having a Stager interface with your Sellers will save you time and energy and allow you to focus on what you do best – getting more business. 

     

F   2. Fall warm décor is always a good visual. 

The warm tone colors of the gourds, cornucopias, and fall leaves are always a nice addition to a home.  Just remember “less is more” – so have one centerpiece on a table that is the highlight and keep all the smaller décor additions packed this year.  A nice seasonal wreath on the door is nice, and warm snuggly throws on a couple of pieces of furniture add a layer of texture and visual appeal.  Just because it’s cold outside does not mean it has to feel cold inside.

3.  Keep holiday décor to a minimum.

This cannot be the year you pull all your treasured décor and holiday collections out and display it throughout the house.  The items might be wonderful to you but to a potential buyer they are a distraction either because the buyer will be looking at all your holiday treasures and not your house, or they will be hiding some key selling feature like a fire place mantel or countertop.  Remember not to put out anything that identifies your family – children’s names should never be on display which means maybe this year you wait to hang your stockings until Christmas Eve.

4.  Not everyone celebrates your holidays.

We want the house to appeal to ALL buyers.  If you know 100% that the buyer for your house is your same faith and will celebrate the exact same way you do then by all means leave all your items out.  Fact is none of us know who the buyer is going to be until it happens.  Don’t give them any reason not to buy YOUR house.  There are many faiths out there so whatever yours is you need to eliminate it from the buying equation.  Otherwise it can be uncomfortable for a buyer who is viewing all your personal faith items, and they might have a bias against faiths not their own, so putting your things away for a short period of time will help your house sell.

5.  Christmas trees need to be in a good spot.

If you are determined to put a tree up for Christmas think location, location, location.  Maybe you usually place it in a prominent area of your house but now that you are selling that tree will be a visual and physical block for buyers.  Make sure that it is not blocking a real selling feature such as a view window or access to your backyard.  Remember not to put any ornaments out that are treasures to you – as anything that is out on display is at risk of damage or loss.

6.  Wreaths, Poinsettias and twinkly lights are good décor options.

A wreath on the door that is simple and elegant is a good idea.  Poinsettias by the front door or displayed on a table to add color are a nice touch.  Twinkly lights on outdoor trees and a few touches inside add that winter sparkle. Just remember less is more.  Have only one or two on display because there is a point where an item goes from adding a highlight of color to a buyer’s experience to becoming a visual distraction. 

7.  No presents under the tree early.

Presents should not be wrapped and put under the tree early as anything that is left out is at risk of damage or loss.  Wait until a couple of nights before Christmas to put those out.  They take up visual space for the floor which is the selling feature and the fact is you will have people you don’t know touring your house.  As careful as Realtors are to ensure the security of a seller’s things, stuff happens.  Be proactive and don’t become a victim.

8.  Keep your yard cheerful.

The weather is turning colder and in many parts of the country snow will soon cover the ground.  Trees are bare and there is a lack of curb appeal with color in most yards.  A seller needs to help this situation out by adding color with annuals that like the cold and other splashes of color.  Pansies, primroses, and kale are all cold hearty annuals.  Put a few pots of these outside by the front door, by the mailbox and at the corner of your walkway to add some color.  Certain berry bush varieties also do well in the cold and add a nice splash of red to the landscape.  And remember the twinkly white lights add a little sparkle too.  Any lights should be tasteful and not overdone to the point of distraction with either cords hanging in odd or dangerous spots, or are visually distracting. 

9.  Remove ice from walkways, decks, porches and steps.

If you live in an area where it gets icy you need to stay on top of your walkways and yard to eliminate slipping hazards.  The last thing you need is for some buyer to slip as they are viewing your house as that could lead to potential financial and legal issues.  There are easy solutions for staying on top of the icing issue from salting the ice to scraping it.  Remember it’s a temporary inconvenience to help your house sell.

10.  Keep your house at a comfy temperature.

Heating a house can be costly and yet you have to keep your house at a comfortable temperature so that buyers will linger and really look around.  Buyers don’t want to walk around long if the house feels like an igloo.  Keeping the house at 68 degrees is a good idea.  If the house is frigid and you don’t mind walking around in a knit hat and winter coat, keep in mind that cold houses are unappealing.  Remind yourself that the heating is for a short period of time in the grand scheme of things.  Even if you are not home during the day, keep the heater going so that any potential buyers are welcomed with warmth.

Come up with a plan of action for selling your house by working with your REALTOR® on a key strategy to get maximum exposure for your property.  Follow the tips above knowing the goal is to help YOU sell your house in the shortest time and at the best price before year’s end.

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For help in the Denver region getting your house or listing Staged and ready to show, contact Jennie Norris at 888-WE-STAGE, 303-717-7918 or www.SensationalHome.com.  Licensed, Accredited & Insured.  Over 4,300 houses Staged since 2002.

Vacant Houses Are Like a Christmas Tree Stand with No Tree! Stage it BEFORE you List it!

Vacant Houses have no visual appeal - they are like a Christmas tree stand with no tree!!  This holiday season, make sure you have the BEST first impression - Stage it BEFORE you List it!

#home #staging #stager #Denver #Colorado #house #property #vacant

Virtual Staging - Selling a House is NOT the time to Air Brush for Perfection - by Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP, Owner of Sensational Home Staging

Virtual Staging – Selling a House is not the Time to Air Brush for Perfection

Virtual Staging – Selling a House is not the Time to Air Brush for Perfection

 

by Jennie Norris, ASP Master®, IAHSP-Premier, BTS, REO, SRS

Owner, Sensational Home Staging, Denver Region’s Premier Home Staging Resource

IAHSP International Board Member

In the world of fashion, models, Hollywood, and the media – much of what we see is not real. Lighting, clever stylists, and make-up can drastically alter the appearance of the model or subject. Then add in the common practice used in print media of air-brushing out flaws, and the person that is featured in the photo spread often does not resemble that at all in real life. In recent years, we have all read or seen actresses criticizing magazines for doing everything from altering their size, elongating their legs, deleting scars or cellulite, and adding things like abs and muscles.

All this is done with the magic of the computer, software and clever person with the mouse.

We know when we look at a person in a magazine that 99% of the time they don’t really look like that in person. We love to see the tabloids actually catch these models or actors in real life with their messy hair, real bodies and flaws. It reminds us that there are many clever things that can be done with a computer and software specifically designed to alter photographic images.

Although we accept this action in the world of fashion and Hollywood, we should not accept this as an acceptable trend for Real Estate and Home Staging.

Virtual Staging. This is where vacant rooms are “Staged” using images of furnishings and décor that are not real. The rooms are not truly Staged – as they are done by a person at a computer, not by a trained expert in the house. For some they may feel this is an alternative to having to invest in real Home Staging. However, the savings they get may actually end up costing them far more in legal fees or reputation than if they Staged it properly in the first place.

Photos do help sell a house, but how do we know that the images and dimensions in a “virtually Staged room” are accurate? How can we be sure that certain flaws have not been removed? Since Buyers are not imaginative, can we trust that they can translate what is in a little photo to a large empty room? Most importantly, editing out flaws or altering the appearance of rooms in houses for the sole purpose of selling the house is bordering on deception. In the opinion of professional Stagers everywhere, the photos of the house should be of the real house – not a virtual representation of the house.

Another problem is that Buyers will eventually go and see the house in person, and imagine their disappointment when the photo they saw online is not the representation of what they see in person. Their energy will drop, and they will not be able to translate the excitement of nice furnishings found in a virtual photo to a droll, empty room that echoes. Buyers need to experience a real Staged house with real furnishings and décor to not only know if their own furnishings will fit, but they need it in order to have a real emotional connection. That connection is what sells the house and makes it a home.

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR®) Magazine came out with an article (July 30, 2009) admonishing agents and Sellers to not give credence to the idea of virtual Staging. It is a risky proposition that could find itself being worked out in a court of law with disgruntled Buyers who felt deceived by a clever computer tech with some slick software.

The link below contains the full article and there is an excerpt below.http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2009073002?OpenDocument

“However, there are some potential pitfalls to virtual staging, including liability issues. There is the chance, for example, that a buyer will challenge whether the digitally altered photos provided an accurate rendering of the space. After moving in, the new owner could make a case for misrepresentation of the property against the real estate practitioner.

Another problem is the lack of control that sellers and practitioners experience in terms of color schemes and accessories. Virtually staged properties tend toward neutral tones and commonplace art and window treatments that could turn off some prospective buyers.”

(Virtual Staging: Brilliant but Maybe Dangerous? Daily Real Estate News -July 30, 2009)

The moral of the story is virtually clear. With Home Staging, ensure an honest and accurate representation by entrusting your house or listing to a trained professional ASP® Home Stager, and not the clever skills of a computer jockey equipped with a mouse. That mousetrap could prove fatal to the purchase, the Seller, and even a Realtor’s career.

Solterra - Lakewood Beauty - Staged and under contract in a week after being on the market MONTHs unsold!

This property was on the market for many months unsold. With some unique interior features and no visual appeal, buyers just were not excited about this house. Seller switched listing agents to one that was very proactive with marketing and went the extra mile for his client to ensure the sale - and encouraged the seller to Stage the property. End result was the house going under contract a week after listing! Staging is a key marketing tool that helps houses sell in the quickest time and for the best price based on market conditions.

A Timely Poem for Realtors and Sellers . . . . Twas the Month Before Christmas - Staging Style!

The Christmas Season is upon us . . . here is a Sensational Home Staging twist on an old classic . . . .enjoy!!

Houses that are Scary Tell A Buyer to be Wary!! Sensational Home Transforms Scary houses to help them SELL!

Why Vacant Houses Need to be Staged to net the Seller the MOST Money from their Sale!

“Vacant Doesn’t Make It”

I love this Staging Saying coined by Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging® and my personal mentor and Staging Mama! And she is absolutely right. Vacant houses do not feel larger to Buyers and they are not a blank slate for a Buyer to visualize living in with their things.

Consider this well known statistic: Less than 10% of the population can see things in a different way. That means a vacant house lacks appeal to 90% of the buyers out there!

This property would have sold without Staging - but because it was Staged and showed so well it got multiple offers and SOLD for $50K OVER List!

Why Vacant Does Not Make It!

1. Vacant rooms are cold and empty.
2. Buyers cannot tell how large or small a space is when it is empty – especially from a photo.
3. Buyers cannot tell what room they are looking at especially when all the rooms are the same paint color – and just a square space with a window.
4. Buyers will notice all the “minor flaws” in the room – scratches on the floor, baseboard that needs painting, etc. – because there is nothing else to look at in the room. They focus on the condition versus the possibilities.
5. Buyers may believe the Seller is desperate to sell since they moved out and are now carrying a mortgage on an empty house.

Why Stage?

1. Staging helps define the use and purpose of the room.
2. Staging helps highlight the focal points of the room.
3. Staging helps Buyers envision how to place their furniture in a room.
4. Staging helps add color and visual appeal for Buyers online and in person.
5. Staging gives Buyers something else to focus on rather than minor flaws and conditional issues.

Staging creates an emotional connection to the property that a vacant house lacks.

Just because the market is “hot” around the country does not justify putting a house on the market with the expectation that it will sell because what is being left on the table is MONEY for the Seller. Agents need to be providing information on every tool available to help a seller net the MOST from the sale of their house.

Getting an estimate to Stage is usually a complimentary service or provided at a nominal cost. How can a Seller make an educated decision about Staging when they don’t even know the price? Sellers need to get the information from a Stager that owns and operates a business, not from the Agent that does not know Staging pricing for THAT property.

So go ahead – LOSE money - leave money on the table by not Staging. Or be a WINNER and part of the proven statistics that show time and time again, a Staged house sells at a better price. According to National Association of Realtors – anywhere from 5-20% of your list price! Be an educated Seller and work with Agents that understand how to get you the BEST Staged and SOLD price!

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For help with Staging in the greater Denver market give Jennie a call (303)717-7918 or 888-93-STAGE and online www.SensationalHome.com. Jennie is also networked with Realtors that include Staging as a standard part of their listing services and pay for some or all of the service and she would be happy to provide their information to you. 

Best Foot Forward - Don't Let Your Listing Sell The Competition

Best Foot Forward

by Jennie Norris, ASP Master, IAHSP-Premier,

ASP-SRS, ASP-REO, ASP-BTS

Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Helping Sellers & Realtors in the Denver Region

The truth is in life we do only have one chance to make the best FIRST impression so we want to have, as they say, our BEST foot forward! 

When a house is listed for sale and a buyer looks at it online or in person - the house either sells itself or sells the competition. They either want to see more and make an offer or they walk on to the next option.

Buyers compare houses online and in person. When one looks great and the other is not prepared for sale - dirty, dated, cluttered, too dark, smelly, etc. - a Buyer will naturally compare that house to the one that is ready to show and buy. So your choice as a Seller or as a Listing Agent is simple. You either Stage up front to get the positive attention and offers or you don't and you just SOLD your competition.

As a Listing Agent you have to ask yourself, "Why would I want to market an ugly foot?" 

You invest a lot of your time, energy and dollars to get a house sold. The house reflects on YOUR reputation. When it does NOT sell you are often held responsible and blamed by the Seller - and word gets around the neighborhood. Aren't you in this business to get referrals from happy clients? Of course. So YOUR best foot forward is to make it a requirement that all your listings are Staged BEFORE they are listed for sale. Or else you just help sell YOUR competition because the neighborhood is watching who gets the pending sign out first and at what price the house sold.

Yes I know Sellers can resist change and it can be hard to tell them their house has warts or corns. Yet you are not doing them (or yourself) any favors by marketing their house "as is." I know there are special circumstances that can exist, but for the most part, a Seller wants ALL the money from the sale of their house. Not just some. 

Putting an ugly foot on the market guarantees they will not net the most from their house and it guarantees their house will be USED to sell the houses that put their BEST foot forward. 

Yes - even in a hot market, a Buyer does not want the hairy foot with warts and icky toenails when they have the option of buying the beautifully manicured foot with pretty color and jewelry. Those two houses will NOT sell at the same price and the ugly foot will be used to sell the pretty one. 

The changes a Seller needs to make to get their foot from ugly to pretty are usually simple and very effective. In most markets a Staging Consultation where the Seller is given a detailed summary of what to do room by room is an average of $250. That small investment can yield thousands of dollars in return. Anything a Seller can do UP FRONT to help their house show better should be recouped in the sale and help their house sell at the best price.

Best Foot Forward. Get the house Staged by a professional Stager to ensure the house truly has the best opportunity to get the best price. Then when the house closes at the BEST price, treat yourself to a manicure! After all the running around we do for our clients we deserve it!
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For help putting your best foot forward in the greater Denver area, give Jennie a call 303-717-7918. www.SensationalHome.com

When is the Best Time to Sell Your House?

When is the Best Time to Sell Your House?

It’s a new year and blog sites and the internet are full of advice from Realtors and other professionals that serve that industry giving advice to prospective home sellers.

According to some, the best time to sell a house is in the Spring when the market picks up.  While others share that the best time is now when there is less competition as Buyers are out all year long.  They focus on activity and price peaks which are both worthy considerations.

 

However, I am taking a different tactic here – in my opinion,

the BEST time to Sell Your House is . . . .

 

When it’s STAGED and READY TO SHOW!!!

You can put a house at the peak months, during the winter, when it’s slower, when it’s swift, in an increasing market, in a declining market, and unless the house is ready for Buyers to see it, the goal of Selling in the shortest time will not be met!

 

Think about these 3 key points:

1. Staging is a Listing tool for Realtors.

When a Realtor includes Staging as a key to marketing the property and lets the client know they believe in presenting the house the best way to the public and Buyers, this resonates with the Seller who wants EVERY tool available to them to get a successful sale and maximize their equity. And Realtors that are reading this – when you include Staging as part of your Listing Package you will get more business.

 

2.  Staging is a Marketing tool for Realtors and the House.

When the house is on the market, Staging helps differentiate that property from many other houses that are not Staged and prepared for sale.  This means it gains an edge over the competition.  The Listing Agent will also stand out from the crowd of Realtors who don’t incorporate Staging – and because the house WILL sell faster and at the best price when it’s Staged, this agent will develop a great reputation for getting the job done and for presenting a great product to market.  A Staged house sells up to 5 times faster than the un-Staged competition.

 

3.  Staging is a Financial tool for Realtors and Sellers.

It’s a fact that Staging will help a house sell at the best price – statistics that have been tracked for years prove this over and over.  When the house sells at the best price versus being reduced in price, the Realtor makes more commission, and the Seller keeps more equity.  National Association of Realtors shared recently that the average price reduction is now 15% - that is a lot of equity to possibly risk losing versus investing in Staging a property.

 

So when is the best time to put your house on the market?  When it’s ready for the buying public to come through.  Don’t put your house on the market until it’s Staged and ready to show – that means in photos, virtual tours and in person!

For help getting your property or listing in the greater Denver region in show-ready condition contact Jennie Norris, 303-717-7918 or 888-93-STAGE.  www.SensationalHome.com.  Over 3,000 houses Staged since 2002.

Messes Send Messages - What Does Your House or LIsting Say?

Messes Send Messages©

What does your house or listing say?

 

by Jennie Norris, ASP Master, IAHSP-Premier, ASP-SRS, ASP-REO, ASP-BTS

Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Denver Region's Premier Home Staging Resource

 

In life 90% of communication is non-verbal.  Body language, tone, expressions - they all convey our message more than what we actually say.

Houses send messages too.  They communicate with us whether we are living in, buying or selling them.  Some messages are of sadness.  Some are of depression.  Some of joy.  Whatever the situation, we can tell when people living in a house have had issues because the house looks neglected.  And for good reason - when life takes an unexpected turn, the last thing we make a priority is making sure our house looks fabulous.

Mess Causes Stress©.  Some of these homeowners don't realize that by living in disarray they are actually creating stress for themselves and stress can lead to a myriad of health issues.  The elimination of "stuff" actually helps de-stress not only the house but the person living IN the house.

When a house is for sale, what message is it giving to the buying public?  Messes Send Messages.  A house communicates and elicits emotions for a buyer who either loves what they see and feels a connection to the house or not.  When they feel that connection the house becomes a must have.  No connection means it is a must leave.  A messy house says, "No one cares about me," or "Don't buy me because you are going to find other issues with maintenance."  A house also send messages about the Sellers such as, "We have given up." or "We don't care about getting the most for our house."  And a house that has too much on display also sends the message that there is not enough storage in this house. That simple message can be enough to deter a potential buyer.

 

 

 

Look at any messy house photo and you just feel stressed looking at it.   Because "Mess causes Stress" when the house is not prepared for sale the buyer literally FEELS stressed standing among the chaos.  They can just look at a photo online and get that feeling of stress.  Is it any wonder these houses don't sell? 

It's so easy to address this issue when selling a house and yet the big question I have is why are so many houses in poor shape when listed for sale?  It's not like the Realtor doesn't see the mess.  At least I would hope they notice because it's right in front of our faces.  We can give the Seller a little break because when we LIVE with a mess we get used to it and don't see it for how bad it really is.  But anyone coming in from the outside who works in this industry HAS to know the house is a mess.  And when it's our job to get the seller the MOST money when selling a house, it is up to US to tell the Seller what they need to do.  

So why do so many houses for sale still look messy?

Is it because the Sellers don't "get it" that they need to address the issue?  Do they not see the value in making changes? Do they resist because it's overwhelming to them?  Or do they just not care.  I think it could be a combination of all of those reasons.

There are ways to get a Seller to cooperate - especially when they see the benefit for THEM.  They will get a better offer when their house shows its best, and their house will sell faster - which means they get to move on to the next phase of their life and into their new home - wherever that is.  As professionals serving sellers we need to be equipped with what to say and how to say it so that the Seller is compelled to make changes.  We also have to be ready to help them.  As a professional Stager, my team and I can and have transformed a house in a matter of hours.  It is a very cost-affordable investment with a high rate of return.  This takes the pressure off the Seller who may be overwhelmed with the move, with life and is unable to make decisions about what to do.  It's a wonderful service we offer - and it makes the Realtor's role a lot easier too because we are the ones doing the heavy lifting, packing, sweating, and setting the scene room by room.  The Realtor can be working on paperwork or meeting with a new prospective client and leave the Staging to us.

In all of this process, the key ingredient is to make sure the seller knows we care and this effort is being done FOR them.  When they know we care and want the very best for them, my belief is that they will get on board.  It might require hand-holding and helping them through a stressful time but in the end they are grateful for the results.  Their house can be presented as a stress-free environment for buyers looking for a connection to a place they can call home.

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For help in the Denver area getting your house or listing de-stressed and ready to buy, give Jennie a call.  Her Sensational Home Staging stage crew can make a big impact in a short time to help the house sell faster and at the best price.  303-717-7918  www.SensationalHome.com.  ©2015 Jennie Norris and Sensational Home Staging.