By:  Lisa Green, Certified Professional Home Stager, Upper Valley Home Staging, LLC, www.uvhomestaging.com

For many people, their homes are their largest investment.  And, of course, when it comes time to sell, they hope to get the most they can for it.  However, the market and supply and demand have the final say in how much they will get in the end.  In order to regain some control over market conditions and maximize their return on investment, many home sellers have been turning to a new breed of professionals:  home stagers.  Statistics show that a staged home sells up to 50% faster and, on average, 17% higher than an un-staged home.  The concept of home staging has been flourishing throughout major metropolitan areas of the country for the last five to ten years.   With the downturn in the real estate market, this concept is now spreading like wild fire throughout small to medium sized communities as well, including the Upper Valley. 

WHAT IS HOME STAGING?

Successful home staging is using marketing and decorating techniques to create an environment that buyers want.  When you put your house on the market, it becomes a commodity or product.  For a product to sell, it has to be successfully marketed and packaged.  The “packaging” element is where a professional home stager comes in.   So, what does this packaging look like?   It’s a combination of many things…

1.   First Impressions – What grabs us, what glares at us, and what feeling does the home give us? 

2.   Eliminating Clutter – People buy square footage.  Clutter prevents them from truly seeing the space.

3.   Emphasizing the Positives and Downplaying the Negatives – Find the natural focal points and emphasize its strengths and hide or detract from the negative aspects.

4.   Lighten Up – The right lighting and color can turn each room into a bright, warm, and inviting space that buyers can respond to.

5.   Home Buyers Appeal – In order for a buyer to feel at home, they don’t want to be reminded that this is someone else’s home.   The home should be “de-personalized” while retaining its warmth.

6.   Odors/Cleaning/Repairs – Home owners often overlook the “dirty work” because they’ve lived in the home for so long.  It’s important to remember that buyers make a mental “repair list” when walking through the house.  Work on this list now and say hello to offers later. 

7.   Modernizing – Buyers want to feel like they are getting the latest and greatest for their investment. 

8.   Emotional Connection Points – This is where the marketing comes in.  Create the “WOW” factor in every room of the house.

Can home sellers successfully stage their own homes?  Some can, but in reality, most can’t.  Selling a home is already stressful and demanding enough.  Chances are that lack of time or emotional issues are preventing them from truly doing the job that needs to be done to get their home in showcase condition. 

Professional home stagers ensure all homes are ready and will appeal to the broadest range of buyers possible.  Depending on the condition of the home, a home seller can expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 for professional staging services, which will yield thousands of dollars in a higher sales price and a quicker sale.  This represents a fraction of what their first price reduction would be and sets their homes apart from the competition.  Other than the home stager’s fee and possibly a few accessories and repairs here and there, a home can be transformed into a show case home very quickly and very inexpensively.  It’s possibly the best investment opportunity available.  How often do you get to invest $500 and get back a $5,000 - $50,000 return?

Yes, all homes sell eventually.  But the question is when and for how much.  If you want more control over the market and want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, then a professional home stager may be the solution for you.

By:  Lisa Green, Certified Professional Home Stager
Upper Valley Home Staging, LLC, www.uvhomestaging.com; 603-359-7116

When we decide to sell our homes, it usually involves a major change in our lives:  a new job, an addition to the family for example.  There are so many decisions to make and so much to do.  Selling a home is often a very emotional time as well.  Often overwhelmed, we find it difficult to focus on the business of selling a home and rely on our realtors to take on the brunt of the home sales process.  Unfortunately, by not taking a more active role, we may be leaving huge amounts of cash on the table and prolonging the sale. 

A large investment like a home has the potential to yield a large return on investment (ROI).  The key to achieving maximum ROI and selling a home quickly can be achieved by applying the following “5 Ps of Marketing”: 

1)      Product – Quality sells.  Ensure your home is clean, clutter-free, in good repair, and is reasonably modern.  Only 10% of home buyers can visualize the potential of a home.  Remember, they are overwhelmed too.  Help them fall in love with your home by showcasing a home that is in move-in condition. 

2)      Preparation –Realize that the way you live in a home is completely different than the way you sell a home.  To appeal to as many buyers as possible, ensure each room is neutral, yet warm and inviting. 

3)      Photos – Over 85% of home buyers today search online before visiting a property.  Better photos bring in more traffic, thus more buyers.  Make sure each photo showcases your home’s strongest features and gives the best possible impression of your product.

4)      Promotion – Your realtor will be doing their part by rolling out a full marketing plan.  You can do your part by making sure your home is looking its best for every showing.  Within 15 seconds, buyers will develop an attitude about your home that is reinforced by everything else they see.  Make sure those first impressions are positive!

5)      Partnering – The majority of home sellers cannot be objective about what needs to be done, or have the time or talent to prepare a home for market.  By partnering with a professional home stager, specially trained in cost-effective marketing and decorating techniques, your home can be transformed into a showcase home that will attract the broadest range of potential buyers possible. They’ll ensure that the first 4 Ps of Marketing above will be maximized and working for you.  U.S. Housing & Urban Development reports that a staged home will sell, on average, 17% higher than an un-staged home.   Partnering with a professional home stager will give you the edge you need to outperform the competition. 

Remember the business of selling a home is really all about the bottom line—getting the most money you can for your home as quickly as possible so you can move on with the next chapter in your life.  Apply the 5 Ps of Marketing and Happy Selling!