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

Hands-on Home Staging to help add Visual Appeal for Buyers - Sensational Home Staging - Denver

This house had core furniture pieces but some were dated and the décor was not appealing to the target buyer. We provided hands-on Staging services including coordinating moving of large furniture pieces to storage, and then set the scene using what the homeowner had with our décor and furniture added as needed. THe end result is a visually appealing property that is prepared for the target buyer.

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.

Staging and Selling in the Winter - by Jennie Norris, Owner of Sensational Home Staging

Staging and Selling in the Winter

by Jennie Norris, Owner of Sensational Home Staging

Staging a house can become challenging in the winter when the landscape around the country does not look that great - dead grass, spindly trees with no leaves, two-tone colors with snow and dirt. In fact I believe winter time is the toughest time of the year to sell when dealing with curb appeal. Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may have lots of green and warmth this time of year, or deal with the barren landscape. When there is snow on the ground, it does look pretty, but as the snow melts, you are often left with bald patches of dirt, icy or muddy streets, and little color in the yards with deciduous trees that have no leaves.

So how do you add that curb appeal necessary for Selling when Mother Nature seems to have another plan?

Here is an excerpt from an article entitled "Home Staging Tips for Every Season" where expert and my personal mentor, Barb Schwarz, was interviewed by AOL online (http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/20/home-staging-for-every-season/

Home Staging Tips for Winter:

• Keep your place warm. You want the house looked at! If you aren't living there or even if you are, spend the money to keep it warm. They will walk out if it's too cold," says Schwarz. "And that means no sale." Trying to save money by keeping your house cold and not heating it properly is a turn-off to buyers.

• Keep lighting in mind during the winter months. Winter means it gets dark earlier, so put lighting on timers inside and outside the house. Every room in the house can be on timers, as it welcomes buyers into a room and you want them to keep walking and checking out the house.

• Just because it's winter doesn't mean you shouldn't have flower boxes and greenery at your front door, in pots. On the contrary, it's really warm and welcoming. Just make sure they are seasonally appropriate.

• Keep snow off the back patio and front porch. You want people to go out and see the back and front of the house and the patio and yard, too. Go back to your back fence and see what does the back of your house looks like, does it look boring? You can keep flower pots by the slider doors, as it softens the look of the house in the gray winter.

• Don't forget to put out the summer photos of your great outdoor deck, so people know what it will be like in warmer months.

Here are some added tips:

• Invest in some annuals or perennials that like the cold weather and put them in pots or line the walkway with them. Some of the best annuals for color that like the cold are pansies, primroses, kale (cabbage), and emerald greens (arborvitaes). Think not just about adding green bushes, but add color with annuals that will survive in your climate. If you are not sure, consult with your local landscape supplier and ask what you should put in those pots in the front and back yards.

• Remove hazardous ice from walkways, streets, etc. - this could pose a slipping hazard for a potential buyer and you want to avoid potential issues arising from a buyer that falls on your property. Plus, it makes it look like you care about your house when you have taken the time to remove the ice and piles of snow so that the house is easily accessible.

• Add outdoor cushions to your chairs that may be outside for color and appeal. You can have a fireplace set up on your patio or deck where when the nights are not too cold, you could convey enjoying a nice cozy fire outside.

• When the outside is lacking in color, make sure you have plenty of color elements INSIDE your house to balance out the bleak. Use accessories and layers of color to help create that buyer appeal and transition from the outside to inside. If a house is bleak on the outside, and then on the inside has white walls, tan furniture and beige carpet, it is blah and boring. Using artwork, fabrics, throws, pillows and accent decor can help create an inviting look for buyers.

• Finally, if you are thinking of putting your house on the market in the winter, make sure to share photos of your house and yard that you have taken during the spring, summer and fall so buyers can see what the yard looks like when it is in bloom.

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For information on getting your house show ready, contact Jennie at 303-717-7918 or 888-93-STAGE. With over 3,000 houses Staged successfully, Jennie has the expertise and ideas to help you achieve your goals of a successful sale. http://www.sensationalhome.com/

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,. ASP®-BTS
Accredited Staging Professional Master®, ASP®-Senior Relocation Specialist, ASP®-REO Property Specialist, and ASP® Buyer Trends Specialist

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 November and December here are some key tips to keep in mind:

1. Get a Staging Professional 3rd Party Opinion.

A Stager is not tied to the sale of the house and 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.

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. Pine boughs with pinecones and red berries are a nice seasonal touch. 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.

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. You might not mind walking around in a knit hat and winter coat, but cold houses are unappealing to buyers. 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 on and set at a reasonable temperature (68-70 degrees) so that any potential buyers are welcomed with warmth. If you are selling a vacant house it has to be kept warm as well physically and visually - with heating and Staging.

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 888-93-STAGE, 303-717-7918 or www.SensationalHome.com. Licensed, Accredited & Insured. Over 3,000 houses Staged since 2002.

The 5 Senses of Staging a House – a Sensible and Sensational Idea!

The 5 Senses of Staging a House –

a Sensible and Sensational Idea!

By Jennie Norris, APS Master®, Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Denver Region's Premier Home Staging Resource

 

 

I read something recently that caught my attention as it talked about how our 5 senses – SIGHT, SMELL, TOUCH, HEARING, TASTE – engage as we look at houses, or rather how they don’t engage if the seller has not deliberately put things out to make that happen or has not bothered to prepare their house for sale.

I thought about this – and as a professional Home Stager – I realized this is what I do every time I work with a Seller and on a house to Stage it for sale.    But there is an imbalance with some Staging out there – where the focus is really on ONE sense – SIGHT and the others are sort of forgotten. 

Let’s take a look at what a complete sensory Staging would be like. . .

Before we take a look at what happens with Staging, let’s consider the flip side - when a Seller does NOT prepare their house for sale and what a Buyer might experience within their 5 senses.

 

SIGHT:  Cluttered and dirty houses are a turnoff to Buyers.  If the house is not picked up it says, “I don’t care about my house.”  If a Buyer sees too many personal things, they feel like they are invading someone’s space and they are uncomfortable and will leave.  If they see all the Seller’s things it not only distracts them from just being able to take in each room as a whole, it also could turn them away if the items are too personal, tacky, or just plain odd. 

SMELL:  Do I really have to mention that ANY unpleasant odor, aroma, or smell in a house is not a good thing for Selling?  If a Seller is unsure whether their house has a smell that is unpleasant, tell them to ASK any number of people that do not live there.  The most common culprits are cooking odors, pet odors, cigarette smoke odors, old house, and mildew smells but it could even be too much fragrance or plug-ins that cloister the senses.  However, most people are afraid to tell them the truth, and that is where the Home Stager can help.

TOUCH:  This can go a couple of ways, but let’s first start with the touch that ends up with sticky residue on your hands – that is a house that needs cleaning!  Buyers are going to open doors, cupboards, and touch things as they go through the house.  Buyers will also consider the furniture in the house, and if touching it gets a reaction like “EWW” – that is not a good thing.  Threadbare, torn or tattered is not a good look for any Seller hoping to attract a Buyer and give them the belief that, “Hey I took great care of this house – just look at how well I cared for my furniture!” 

HEARING:  We cannot always control the noise outside of our houses – traffic, dogs, construction, but we can control the noise inside.  A faucet that sounds like a Mack truck engine when you turn it one says, “There is something gravely wrong with the plumbing in this house.”  Squeaky hinges, doors that drag on the floor, and in general any noise that advertises the age of the house is not a good thing for Selling.

TASTE:  This one really does not pertain to pre-Selling so we’ll just skip this one for now and go right into the recommendations for when the house is Staged.

 

It’s easy to incorporate all 5 Senses in a positive way when Staging and Selling a House.  This can be done with Occupied or Vacant houses for sale and is a key process that ensures a Buyer has a complete experience in the house. . .

 

SIGHT:  Make sure the house is light and bright.  Open up windows where there is a view to show off, and minimize any unattractive views with blinds or strategically placed objects.  Make sure the house is very CLEAN and also DEPERSONALIZED as far as collections, personal items (bills, medicine), photos, and anything that could be a potential distraction for a Buyer.  Any brightly painted walls should be painted a warm neutral color.  Walls that are too dark actually make the room feel smaller as it closes the room in . . . And when a Seller does not paint, they are eliminating a large portion of the Buyer pool who don’t like that color, it does not go with their stuff, and they don’t to have to paint when they move in!  They’ll just go buy something else that is ready for them and does go with their things, a.k.a. NEUTRAL.

However, we need and want COLOR and NATURE for visual appeal in Staging.  Accent décor and greenery, artwork that draws a person closer, and other fun whimsical displays are good for Staging and Selling.

Do not make your house so stark and plain that all the pizzazz is gone.  This is taking the “de-cluttering” too far – and now your house is cleared out but it’s Boring. 

TIP:  Your Home Stager will know what to do in each room to make it visually stimulating and appealing to draw the buyer in and want to see more!  They can use your things or enhance what you have with décor, but the plan should be to keep or add pizzazz but allow the Buyer to take each room in its entirety and not be distracted by décor or too much.  There is a fine balance your Home Stager can help you achieve.

SMELL:  We want houses on the market to smell good – fresh and inviting.  For showing houses Realtors often use the baked cookies or bread trick or the cinnamon simmering on the stove trick . . . but Buyers can detect if there are other underlying aromas.  This is where a house must be CLEAN – and there is no concession here – we don’t want smells –urine, dirty clothes, smoke smell, cooking odors, mold or mildew smells in the house.   Once the smells are eliminated, the house should smell fresh and clean – and be kept that way while the house is on the market.  There are products that eliminate odors for good as long as they are not reintroduced. 

When others may be afraid to tell the truth about odors in a house that is coming on the market, a professional Home Stager owes it to the Seller to tell them the truth.  Those that are trained understand how to couch their message in kindness so they don’t offend – and yet if we don’t tell the truth and the house does not sell because of this issue, we did not do our job.

TIP:  Ask your Home Stager what they recommend as a permanent solution for challenging aromas. There are inexpensive yet effective products that are odor eliminators, as well as machines that can be used.

 

TOUCH:  The house should look “plush” and inviting.  There should be soft surfaces along with the hard – and this relates to the furniture.  A bed can have a comforter, but why not add some accent pillows and a throw as well to create layers of softness?  If a Seller has a collection of Adirondack furniture throughout the house, they need to possibly minimize the collection, and for sure bring in accent pillows or cushions, and silk trees or plants to help soften all that wood.  Not that a Buyer is going to sit in a Seller’s couch, but we want them to feel like each room is inviting them in to experience more. By the same token if the Seller has a bunch of overstuffed couches, bean bags, or large floor pillows, we want to bring in some structured furniture to help add strength and solidness to the room, otherwise we feel like we are sinking.  Throughout the house there should be a balance of hard and soft, plush and streamlined. 

 TIP:  An experienced Home Stager will know what to do in each room, how to make the most of what a Seller already has, and bring in any needed décor to complete the look.

HEARING:  Showing houses agents will often play music – and I think that is a good thing to create an atmosphere that is pleasant and inviting.  There are other audible enhancements that are appealing to buyers as well.  A water feature is enticing and relaxing – consider putting one in the Master bath or a larger one in the courtyard or back patio.  Sellers need to fix all the squeaks and groans in the house they can before it comes on the market.  You cannot “Stage away” traffic or construction noise, but you can minimize it by having another sound distract from it.  This helps a buyer to know, “Even though there is some exterior noise, I could still live here if I had this water feature.”  Help them to know how to override what may be a potential detraction to buying the house. 

TIP:  Your Home Stager can provide a creative solution or idea to help override a potentially negative sound.  They cannot “Stage away” the issues, but they can help come up with a plan that will minimize or eliminate the issue.

TASTE:  Of the 5 senses this one is probably the least utilized when Staging as most of the time we are not using real food as props that are supposed to be eaten. However, when Showing a house, it’s fun to have cookies or fruit and refreshing drinks for Buyers.  Stagers can use faux prop food for a look – such as parfaits or small cakes, faux fruit or even faux champagne in glasses, but these are props.  Some Stagers can use real fruit as a prop – but with most it’s not to be eaten.  To get this 5^th sense involved with Buyers the Seller or Realtor will have to provide the delicious snack that gets that last sense engaged, or a team partner Stager can bring cookies and lemonade for the open house – and get that last sense checked off!

 

Let’s face it – the market is competitive and to get the Sale you want within the timeframe you need, you owe it to yourself and your house to engage all 5 senses for the Buyer.

The Results?  A SENSATIONAL Sale . . . When Buyers make a 5 senses connection to a house it is more likely to become their HOME and the Seller will achieve their goals as well of selling versus sitting on the market.

 

"Hire me to sell your house – I will only charge you 0.5%!" - A Stager's Courtesy Request

Hire me to sell your house – I will only charge you 0.5%!

Why would I sell real estate for 1/6 of the traditional going rate?  Because selling houses is FUN!  Isn’t that a great reason?

Now – Reality check.  No. I am not a Realtor.  No, I am not selling houses or working with buyers.  If I ever did decide to do that I would never undercut the professionals with an explanation that “it’s fun” – or "I don’t make my real money doing this so I won’t  charge for my services." 

Realtors – don’t you get tired of the Help U Sells, FSBO, and other low or no commission “listing companies” that undercut your professionalism, your business practices, your income and way of life?  You have taken the time to get professional training, education, adhere to code of ethics and belong to a professional association.

You know who else does?  Professional Stagers.  We have made the investment in our education, memberships and business in order to provide a service that brings value to the process of selling a house.  To my Realtor clients that use me as part of their team to help make them more productive, I say, “Thank you” for recognizing my talent and efforts are of value to you and your clients.  To the others that have yet to “get it” that having a Stager on your team doing the Staging actually helps YOU be more productive, read on.

 

Furniture and décor resourced from local thrift stores

Professionally Staged - with the target buyer in mind

 

I have to say I grow weary of seeing some really questionable “staging” being done by agents under the guise of saving a buck or the idea that “I can do it myself so why should I pay someone or encourage my client to hire a professional?”  Or not even recommending it be done because “the house will sell anyway,” not focusing on the fact that Staging helps houses sell for the very BEST price and helps your sellers net the most from the sale.

What if everyone had that same idea when it came to hiring you?  “We don’t need a Realtor – we can just list our house ourselves, honey.  Who cares about the legal ramifications or the fact that we know nothing about marketing or heck – even negotiating on our own behalf.  It looks easy – so we are going to do it to save ourselves some money.”

Does that thought process upset you?  If it does – and I am sure it does – then why do some turn around and do the same thing when it comes to Staging?  In most cases Staging the property costs less than you think and helps YOU net the most for your client and yourself.

 

Not doing anything or thinking that you can do it yourself and then putting furniture and décor that in no way fits the style, property price-point, or target buyer is doing your client (and yourself) a disservice.  Staging is not about just tossing some extra décor you might have lingering in your house or basement, or going to thrift stores to gather up a few things you can hang or place in a house. 

Card table covered with ill fitting table cloth, artwork is too small.

None of this would attract the buyer

Professionally Staged and in line with the seller's list price and Staging budget

 

Staging requires a lot of planning and mental coordinating before the actual Staging takes place.  It’s not about plopping random furniture and décor in a house – it’s about adding visual appeal, defining use and size of rooms, and creating an atmosphere that entices buyers to want to make the house they are standing in their home.  Stagers are constantly transitioning our inventory to keep up with the trends and styles to providing a service that is going to help houses sell.  We make monetary investments to ensure that the finished product represents not only our professionalism but also YOU as our client – so that you get the results you want of a sale at the best price.

So to the Realtors that may be reading this - as a professional surround yourself with other professionals that make you look good to your client and make you more productive.  You really don’t have time to be hauling furniture and décor around when time is limited and you could be meeting with a new client and earning far more on the sale of a house than I ever will Staging a property.

No, I am not going to list a house for 0.5%.  IF I ever did get into real estate I would not be foolish enough to leave money on the table or operate a business where I did not practice at the highest standard.   I recognize your expertise and happily refer you to those I know that need a trusted professional.  Ask a professional Stager, I ask for the same courtesy.

Golden Vacant now Staged for Sale! Sensational Home Staging Crew does it again!

Vacant house in Golden - now Sensationally staged for sale by the Sensational Home Staging crew! Should attract buyers now that the key rooms are Staged to show size, purpose, and create visual appeal.

Sensational Denver Custom - Staged and ready to Show!

Out latest Staging success - beautiful custom home vacant to Staged and ready to show and sell! Sensational Home Staging Success!

Littleton Vacant gone Sensational with Sensational Home Staging

This house lacked visual appeal - and after replacing the carpeting the Realtor wisely encouraged the Sellers to Stage - to help give Buyers the best first impression. The end result is color and room definition that is in line with the price of the house and the sellers' budget.

6 UPLIFTING TIPS to Get Your House Staged & Sold

6 UPLIFTING TIPS to Get Your House

STAGED and SOLD

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

Owner, Sensational Home Staging – serving the Greater Denver region

 

1. If it’s cluttered – PACK IT UP

     Clutter is a natural part of life and most of us do our best to stay on top of it. Things on surfaces, floors, walls, and in our yards – are all items we enjoy or have “plans for” – and that is life. However, when selling a house – the clutter that is part of daily lives actually cuts into our equity. As Barb Schwarz, the Creator of Home Staging®, says, “Clutter eats equity” and the more of it that is around, the harder it is for a buyer to look past and see the possibilities of the house and of living there as their home. When Selling – PACK IT UP – pack up the clutter and this actually gives the Seller a head start on moving – as when the Seller gets an offer they will already have packed up a lot of their smaller things and personal items – which will lessen the stress of having to move.

2. If it’s dated – SPRUCE IT UP

     Not all houses are new. Not all buyers want new houses, and yet most all buyers want houses that are in move-in condition. This means that if your house or listing is dated, it might be worth the investment to paint or upgrade elements of the house so it stands up to the competition. Spruce it up – put in warm neutral paint colors on walls and paint over any custom colors that are too bright, too dark, or too dingy. Don’t be stubborn about painting – you are moving. You can paint your new house the colors you want but for Buyers – make the effort to help them mentally move in to the house you are selling by giving them a warm neutral palette.

Take down wall paper or paint over it – wall paper is too customized and individualized - make your house Buyer neutral. Replace worn carpeting if possible, and remove odd objects, funky art that is possibly distracting, and pack up controversial items. Replace dated fixtures – for about $25.00-$75.00 you can replace a faucet, ceiling fan or lighting fixture. That means for an entire house when you invest about $500 you can update a lot of elements that will help your house compete with newer houses for sale.

3. If it’s dirty, CLEAN IT UP!

     Dirty houses are a turn off to Buyers. It sends the message, “I did not care for my house and you will probably find maintenance issues here.” It may also send the wrong message to the buyer that you are desperate or in some sort of sticky situation if you are not maintaining your house. That is the wrong message to send when selling. Dig in and do whatever you can to make your house really shine. If you are not able to do it yourself get help. Call in favors or get volunteers that can help you do what you need but do not put a dirty house on the market. If there are pets, get rid of the hair – and that means you need to vacuum UNDER the furniture too – and suck up those dust balls.

     Get an objective opinion from someone that has high cleanliness standards – and LISTEN to their advice about your house and don’t take it personally. The things we do for buyers may be beyond what we do for ourselves, but remember this is all about the EQUITY in your house – and your desire to get the BEST offer in the SHORTEST time. Be willing to clean your windows and bathrooms until they sparkle. Buyers can tell how well you’ve cared for your house by looking at the small things – window tracks, bathroom or tile grout, fixtures. If you cannot afford to replace worn carpet, at least CLEAN it! It is an inexpensive investment to ensure your house looks the very best based on your timeframe and budget.

4. If it’s broken – FIX IT UP

Houses that are for sale need to be in good condition as well as show well. It would be worth it to have a home inspector go through your house for sale and find all the things that need repair or replacement so that when the house comes on the market it is ready to sell. A buyer does not like going through a house that has “issues” that need addressing – and anything that can be done up front will help the sale. If you cannot afford a home inspection, go through your house with "Buyer's Eyes" and see how your house stands up to the scrutiny you know it will go through with showings. Make sure things are in working order, any cosmetic scuffs or knicks are repaired, and your house is ready for the public to come through.

5. If it’s overgrown – TRIM IT UP

     The outside of the house makes the first impression and we have about 3-10 seconds to capture the attention . Curb appeal is extremely important and yet many Sellers fail to address that when their house comes on the market. Trees get bigger and overgrown, and shrubs grow wider and taller – and sometimes the house – that is the product – is hidden. Take the time to trim trees and shrubs so that they don't make the house feel crowded. Add color to help with curb appeal - with annuals or perennials that highlight the yard and house and show up well in photos. And don't forget the side yards and back yard. If there is a view - show it off. If there is an eyesore - minimize it with strategically placed trees or lattice. If there are unused pots or other yard items, box them up or get rid of them. Minimize "yard art" as well - remember we want the focus on the house, not pink flamingos or a collection of cute bunnies.

6. If it’s not selling – LISTEN UP

     Ultimately, Staging is a marketing tool and a financial tool to help the Seller and Staging will help a house sell faster and at the best price in any market. It is well worth it to invest in an objective opinion about your house by hiring a professional Stager to come and create a Staging plan for your house. Listen up to your Stager and do your best not to take things personally when you may be advised to pack, paint or perk up your house.

     Staging works – however it is not a “magic wand” that allows a seller to price their house outside of where it will sell. It will help a house sell faster than the un-Staged competition. Statistics prove that fact – and yet Sellers - Listen UP to your Realtor and if your house is not selling and it is Staged properly for sale, then it is the price that is keeping a buyer from buying. This does not mean that the Staging did not work – it means that the house needs to meet the market conditions and other factors that could be impacting the sale – and it WILL sell before the competition that has NOT taken into account presentation and Staging as a marketing, listing and financial tool.

     Follow this UPLIFTING advice and you should be receiving an offer on your house that will lift you up and make you glad that you invested the time and dollars in Staging. Whether you implement the suggestions provided to you by a professional Home Stager or you hire them to help you do the work, Staging is a proven way to get top dollar for your house in any market. And in today’s market and economy, we need every tool available to help put our best foot – or your case – house – forward and attract the positive attention that will get your house SOLD!

If you are in the Denver region and want a professional Home Stager’s evaluation of your house or listing, contact Jennie Norris, ASP Master®, Chairwoman of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP), and Owner of Sensational Home Staging (www.SensationalHome.com)

Highlands Ranch - Staged and Show Ready! Sensational Home Staging does it again!

This house has a great layout and inviting features. The sellers moved out and left a blank palette for us to Stage - and we had a great time incorporating fresh greens and blues to create an inviting look for buyers. The house should sell fast - in this market a well presented house attracts the buyers!

Highlands Ranch Home Staging - Sensational Home Staging

This house was sitting on the market unsold and needed some color and visual appeal to help buyers see the potential for the key rooms. Sensational Home Staging helped set the scene room by room to provide the needed appeal for buyers.

Realtors - Is the Hot Market Burning Up Your Commission?

Realtors - Is the Hot Market Burning Up Your Commission?

 

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

Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Denver Region's Premier Home Staging Resource

It depends.

It depends on how you approach listing and selling houses and how much education you provide to your Sellers.

Fact is, the real estate market has improved all over the country. This is good news for homeowners that have been waiting out the recovery. It’s good news for markets where inventory remains low and demand high. With this good news comes mixed feelings for those working IN the industry.

As a professional Home Stager, this means the opportunities increase because more people will be selling their houses, and the challenge is that pricing will be more competitive for services. I can deal with that because there is plenty of business to go around. But a valid concern is that Sellers and Realtors might believe the house is going to sell anyway so why bother putting any effort into the listing? Why Stage it and invest money to present a house its best to market which may include painting, decluttering, landscaping, updating, and/or furnishing a house when the statistics say that the house will most likely sell anyway?


The answer is that a Staged house will always sell for MORE than the un-staged competition (apples to apples) in any market. In a hot market, a Staged house can get multiple offers, a higher than list price offer, and can be listed at a higher starting price because it does show better than the un-Staged competition. Statistically this is anywhere from 5 percent to as much as 20 percent more for the Seller. A Seller wants ALL the money possible from the sale. $5,000 MORE could be a trip somewhere, pay off bills, or added to savings. $15,000-$30,000 more is HUGE for your client. They don’t want to leave that on the table.  And since you are paid on the final sales price - a better price means you make more commission too!. Bottom line: Staging helps guarantee the house will sell at the very best price compared to the un-Staged comparable house. 

Using the Staging Calculator tool available on my website will help you show the exact ROI to your sellers when they invest up front in Staging.  Go to http://sensationalhome.com/statistics to use the tool.


For Realtors, a hot market means more people will jump into real estate, believing it to be an easy money endeavor. More competition means more agents will be looking for ways to get a Sellers’ business and some will use discounted commissions as a way to attract business. How will you compete with these discount agents? Will you reduce your commissions or will you find ways to add value?


Realtors that are eager to “just get houses sold” need to think about the impact a hot market has on their bank account. The seller is not just thinking about whether or not they should invest in Staging to make their house most appealing. They are looking at the commission they are paying to the listing and buyer agents. As the market gets hotter, they naturally want to decrease the payout to the agents involved in the sale. Some even believe they do not need a Realtor and will cut you off altogether and go FSBO.   Sellers are thinking to themselves, "The market is hot so why should we give up all that commission to a Realtor when we can do it ourselves?"  How do you counter that concern?  Can you provide services that will help them net even MORE from the sale of their house?  A Stager can.


Your commission IS at risk. The good news is Staging is a tool that helps you KEEP your commission and compete with discount brokers by bringing measureable VALUE to the table. Because Staging a house has been demonstrated to bring 5-20 percent MORE for a Seller with either a better starting price, multiple offers, and higher than list offers, you help the Seller increase their net profits by more than they are asking you to reduce your commission. Paying you as a full service Realtor that does not discount and includes Staging you are bringing them a tool that helps them get MORE for their property. Your 1 to 1 ½ percent that you do not discount to compete with discount agents brings your seller up to 5-20% more so you are helping them net much more than they are asking you to give up.


Your professional Home Stager is your key to keeping your commissions, not having to work harder – just work smarter. And because your listings will look better and sell faster, you will become the “go to” agent in the neighborhood which will increase your number of houses sold each year!


More means more for everyone. For the Seller. For the Realtors. For the service professionals that partner with both to ensure the best price for the sale in the shortest time. Staging is a vital marketing tool for the house – and it will become and even more important financial tool for both the Seller and the Listing Agent.


Contrary to what the public may believe, houses do not sell themselves. Poor marketing, little or no focus on selling the house, and/or little motivation to generate activity are strategies enlisted by discount agents. They have to work 2-3 times harder than a full-service Realtor in order to earn the same income so they have less time and attention to devote to a sale. In their head whether right or wrong they are not as focused on the sale because they are not making the same as a full-time focused agent. These are the listings that have a few or no photos, no marketing flyers, no real marketing focus other than toss it on the MLS and say a prayer that is sells.

Case Study:
I just Staged a house that had been on the market since August.  The Sellers first tried to use HelpUSell and got no results in a market where there is extremely low inventory.  The house was poorly marketed and it showed.  Then after wasting all that time on the market, they listed the house with a Realtor 60 days ago and still got no offers.  Finally the house was Staged in mid March and it went Under Contract with its very first offer in only 9 days!  Staging works - and these Sellers are a classic example of what not to do to sell a house.  Hire professionals and put the best foot forward with Staging to be SOLD not just sitting on the market.


When you have a way to help Sellers get the best price possible they should want to use it. When you know a tool like this exists you should want to share it with all your Sellers. Whether the Seller invests up front in the Staging or the Realtor helps cover the investment as part of their listing services, the fact is both parties will end up recouping more than the Staging investment with a house that is sold at a great price.


That truly is a win-win. A hot market does not mean you should get burned. Staging before listing is a red-hot winner for everyone involved in the sale!


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If you list and sell houses in the greater Denver region or live in the Denver area and want to sell your house give me a call. I have helped over 2,800 homeowners get the most for their house and partner with Realtors to help give them the edge they want in a competitive market. (303)717-7918 or 888-93-STAGE. http://www.sensationalhome.com

In a HOT Market Does it Make Sense to Stage? by Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP- Owner of Sensational Home Staging

In a HOT Market Does it Make Sense to Stage?

 

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

Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Denver Region’s Premier Home Staging Resource

The resale market is tight out there.  In some markets there is little inventory for sale so that creates a Buyer demand that can cause prices to rise quickly.  This causes Sellers to believe that a house can just be put on the market and it will sell to a desperate buyer.  This begs the question:  In a Market where the house is “probably going to sell anyway” does it make sense to Stage before listing?

The Wall Street Journal published an article recently that included information on a recent study conducted that discussed the impact Staging had on Buyers.  In the study, Buyers were shown photos of four different types of rooms from un-staged to Staged and asked what they would pay for the properties based on the photos.  It is a pretty basic approach to assessing the impact of Staging but the bottom line was that a Buyer would offer LESS for an un-staged house and offer MORE for the Staged one.  The differential in their study was 6% of the list price on a $200,000 property.  Do the math.  That is $12,000 MORE for a Seller that has their property Staged.

People that mistakenly believe that Staging won’t make a difference in a HOT market are leaving a LOT of MONEY ON THE TABLE!  Don’t be that Seller.  And if you are a Realtor, dare I say don’t make the decision for your Seller based on the fact that the house will sell? Yes, your personal net gain might only be a few hundred dollars in extra commission but that seller is losing out on thousands more they would keep in their pocket.  Just because the house will sell and you will get your commission faster does not mean it is the best service for the Seller. 

When the house is “going to sell anyway” it does not mean it is going to sell at list price.  Statistics prove that a Staged house will sell for MORE than the un-staged product often resulting in bidding wars for a house that really looks great and becomes the “one” that all buyers want.

How much more?  5-20% MORE based on statistics gathered for the past 10 years.  On a $250,000 house that could be $12,500 MORE to $50,000 MORE for the Seller with either multiple offers, or not getting low offers, or having to reduce the price.

Realtors – does your Seller want “SOME” of the money out of their house or do they want every possible penny?  When a house sells for just $5,000 MORE – that Seller is going to net about $4700 MORE in their pocket.   If they have invested $1,000 in the Staging (for a vacant property) – they still come out $3,700 ahead. When a house sells for $10,000 MORE – the Seller gets $9,400 MORE less the Staging investment than they thought they would.  When a Seller puts updates or improvements in to the property, that impacts the initial list price where they can recoup that investment to get the house sold.  There is no reason NOT to prepare the house and Stage from a fiscal standpoint because that combination helps the seller net the very BEST sale price.

Sellers need to be educated about the potential income for THEM from the sale.  When they are buying in the same market having more money to purchase is a good thing because it might help them afford the next property or make a stronger offer than another buyer.

When you as their Realtor can turn around and promote the fact that you helped your Seller net even MORE from the sale of their house – do you think that might translate into Referrals and MORE money for you?  Absolutely. Think long term.  Think about your Sellers and who they know that need to sell for the MOST possible.  Having that focus will reap rewards with more business versus the agent that just puts the house up for sale, vacant or visually unappealing, and says a prayer that the house will sell fast because of low inventory.

Staging in a hot market does make sense – it makes Dollars and Cents!

 

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For help getting your house or listing Staged to sell - call Jennie at (303)717-7918.

wwwSensationalHome.com

Over 2,700 houses and over $1Billion in real estate Staged since 2002!