One of our customers ask for help in determining why their home has not sold.   After doing some research, I was a bit perplexed.  In going down the “must do” checklist for selling a home, it seemed that they had done everything correctly.  The asking price was in the middle range for the neighborhood;  They wisely used the internet to market the property.  The  home was featured on the MLS, InfoTube.net, Realtor.com and other major search engines for real estate;  They were readily available for showings and returned emails and calls quickly.  Nothing jumped out as being the reason other homes had sold, while theirs sat on the market…until I saw the pictures of the property. 

My first impression was that the seller forgot the about the Three D’s of staging a home to sell.  This home had so much  ”stuff” inside, that prospective buyers couldn’t see the room or picture themselves living there.           

The 3 D’s: Declutter, Depersonalize and Decorate. 

Declutter:  This living area is a great size, but buyer’s wouldn’t know it.  We recommended that the seller remove the area rug; the loveseat; all plants, stands and shelves from the bay window area; blue chair; at least one wall hutch; and the sofa table in the dining area.  Rearrange the furniture that remains to maximize floor space and invite traffic flow toward the windows.

Depersonalize:  Pack away all the toys, collectables and personal photographs.

Decorate:  (1) Bay windows are a big selling feature, so make them stand out.  Add a simple, solid color, sheer drapery treatment to draw the buyers eye;  Pull the blinds all the way to the top of the window to let all the light in.  (2)  Beige walls, beige floor, beige ceiling, beige sofa’s…yawn… A warm neutral paint color on the walls would add interest and life to the room.  Choose a thatched straw or color that is in the print hanging over the sofa.   Pick up some fun throw pillows, candles, etc. to add spice and pop to the decor.  (3)  Consider losing the dated dining room fixture and pink table lamp.  The ceiling is too low for a big hanging fixture and it breaks up the openness of the room.  Try a ceiling mounted fixture or the simple, popular pendant lights

to add interest and flare to the room.  (4)  The dining room furniture is stylish.  Remove the table cloth and place settings.  Add a vase of fresh flowers or a grouping of candles instead.  

Take a look at the Before and After picture below from a different home.   See that by following the 3 D principle, the homeowner made a huge impact without spending a lot of money.  For example, see the difference that removing the drapes and rugs made.  Zero expense.  Zero Effort.  Big Result.

Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com.  We are here to help you sell your home.  If you aren’t advertising on the internet and the MLS, you are missing thousands of buyers.  Call us or visit the site today to promote your property with one click of your mouse.