Archive for the ‘staging your home’ Category
How to Stage Your Home for Mass Appeal
Close your eyes. Picture multiple buyers, multiple offers and a bidding war. Envision selling in days instead of months. Feels pretty great being a real estate genius, doesn’t it? So, how do you create “We’ve gotta have it!” and “We’ll offer more!”?
In this Why Pay 6 Percent blog, we offer illusions, tips and tricks of the trade on the art of “Staging”. We ask you to look with “new eyes” at your house. Remember that your house is no longer “your home”…it is a product that is For Sale. The challenge is objectivity. The reward is mass appeal. The genius is in knowing that real estate is a numbers game. Better your odds by eliminating no one.
If you are unsure of exactly what staging is, think new home builders. Even though staging is a new concept to the resale home market, homebuilders have profited from staging for years. Their model home parks take “picture yourself living here” to an art form. They often sell entire subdivisions of homes, sight unseen, thanks to a few smartly decorated “model” homes.
What can staging do for you? Take a look at a couple of builders model homes. You will quickly spot that everything is new, fresh and clean. It smells good. It’s light. It’s bright. The lawn makes you want to walk barefoot. It’s very friendly. It feels like home, maybe better than home. Gottcha!
When touring a model home, don’t focus on the furnishings, but how they are placed in the room. Notice the amount of light in the room and where it comes from. Note what you don’t see…clutter, deer heads, dead plants. All these little things you see, and don’t, create an illusion of warmth, openness and universal appeal that make buyers say “I could definitely live here”.
You can also get practical ideas about staging on TV channels like HGTV and A&E. Shows like “Designed to Sell” and “Sell This House” have great ideas and feature real homeowners. Their websites, www.hgtv.com and www.aetv.com feature show highlights and special topics to discover at your convenience. Great staging idea’s can also be found in home magazines and websites. And, in case you are short on time, we’ve done a little research for you.
InfoTip 1: First Impressions are formed in 15 Seconds
A buyer called to see inside. Congratulations, your marketing is working and your curb appeal, appealed. What can you do to make a good first impression?
Buy a new Welcome mat. Avoid cutesy. Go classic.
Shine up the door knob and knocker
Mood Music, softly please. Avoid lyrics’, opt for soft jazz or classics.
Open the windows and air the house out. If outside noises are not a problem and the weather cooperates, leave a few windows open.
Adjust the inside temperature to an ideal setting.
Flower Power— Flowers are cheap, create ambiance, add personality and cheer.
Smells—Good, clean, subtle smells are good. Overpowering, disinfectant smells are used to cover something up and may also trigger allergies.
Add a nice guest book and pen to invite comments. Add small photo book picturing your house during a beautiful season.
Turn on the lights in each room. Well lit rooms show well.
Open the drapes and blinds, but don’t expose ugly views.
Highlight good views by drawing the eye to them.
Light a few groupings of candles in appropriate areas. Avoid strong scents.
Remove all items considered “real estate”, before showing. A good rule of thumb is, if it is attached or would leave a mark when removed, it stays with the house. Many buyers refuse to close, or worse, they call an attorney, when they discover the dining room chandelier they “bought” is missing, the roses bushes have been dug up or the basketball goal has been stolen.
InfoTip 2: Making a Grand Entrance
Area Rugs break up the expanse of a floor space and make rooms feel smaller.
Entry closets should be cleaned out. Hanging Coats should not touch each other.
Remove coat stands.
The entrance into all rooms should be free of obstacles.
InfoTip 3: Bigger is Better
Create illusion of big rooms that people can picture their stuff in. Think Spare, not Bare.
Traffic Flow—You should be able to walk through every room in your house without being impeded by furniture.
Counter Intelligence—Clear off all horizontal surfaces in the entire house. Store the designer blender. Decorate with a rosemary topiary, not functional items.
Bigger is better does not apply to furniture. Store oversized pieces.
Re-paint dark rooms in light, neutral colors. White reflects light-black absorbs it.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall–Seinfeld fans know mirrors create the “illusion of space”, feelings that there is a “whole other room in there”. Mirror magic is highly effective on birds, and home buyers… Mirrors also add light, elegance, enhance views, show off mantels and shrink long, narrow hallways.
Small pieces of furniture like footstools, end tables and throw rugs shrink space.
Dining Room or Home Office? Multi-tasking décor is confusing at best and screams that you have a lack of space and storage. Computers do not belong in the dining room, ironing boards do not belong in spare bedrooms. Stage each room for its intended purpose.
InfoTip 4: Hidden Treasures
Everyone needs Storage. Covered Parking. Garages. Attics. Basements. They may not count as finished square footage, but for homebuyers they count a great deal.
Clean and light these areas before showing your home.
Use a label or sign to mark hidden doors or areas buyers might miss.
Empty garages look bigger. Pack the bikes, lawn equipment and trash cans.
Basements should be aired out and free of mold and mildew.
Plywood can be placed in attics to create large, walk-in storage area’s.
Hide things in storage boxes that slide under the bed.
Lubricate the garage door.
InfoTip 5: Outdoor living rooms
When looking for ways to grow your space. Look outside.
Balconies, patios or porches are living area’s, if staged properly.
Tables and chairs near your grill create another dining area.
A comfortable lounger and coffee table create a reading nook.
Healthy, potted plants can stage a greenhouse effect.
Freshly mowed, green lawns have universal appeal.
Outdoor lighting and sprinkler systems set a mood of relaxation.
InfoTip 6: Stimulate Imagination. Buy this house and dreams come true.
Romantic, candle light dinners happen every night in this house… set your dining room table with your finest tableware. Add a center piece and the stage is set.
Use the romance and coziness of your fireplace to your advantage. Place a pair of wine glasses and a vase of flowers on the coffee table in front of the fire.
Sex Appeal. Set the mood in your bedroom with fresh, fluffy linens, decorative pillows, candles and soft lighting. Remove all personal items from view.
Well Healed His & Hers. In the closet, like clothing should be grouped together. Designate His and Her areas with his pants & shirts in his area, her blouses and dresses in hers. Allow for space between each hanger. Shoes should disappear. Shelves should not over flow.
Anything provocative could spoil the mood. Play it safe with displayed books, magazines and religious items.
Private Parts…bedrooms and bathrooms are private areas that people feel uncomfortable exploring. To lessen feelings of intrusion, hide all personal care products in a basket under the sink. Your Jacuzzi tub is sexier without the used razors and waxing creams. Stage your bath as a place of retreat and quiet pampering. Freshly hung, fluffy towels, candles, a basket of unused bath products de-personalize and give a bathroom the feel of a luxury hotel.
InfoTip 7: Real Life Issues Builders Never Face
Pets. We love our Pets so much, this topic is painful to discuss. Unfortunately, when buyer’s see pets, they start looking for trouble. They immediately sniff for evidence of accidents. They scrutinize for chewing, stains and scratches. They rarely venture into the yard for fear of what they will step in. You can’t pack your pet, so what can you do?
F Cat Fanciers- Change the litter and sweep up daily. Vacuum for hair. Pack the kitty condo and all the toys. Pick up the food bowls. Freshen up bedding. Brush your cat daily, so shedding is minimized.
F Man’s Best Friend- If you can take your dog with you or to the neighbors, during a showing, do so. If Doggie Day Care is available in your town, perfect. Dogs who feel their job is to guard the house must be confined or taken off the premises. Aggressive or barking dogs are best kept elsewhere until the house sells.
Pick up the toys inside and out. Scoop the lawn, daily. Repair holes, paths, bare spots and damaged fencing. Clean the pen. Paint scratches on the door. Remove feeding dishes and water bowls. Vacuum daily. Groom the dog and keep him clean. Freshen his bedding. Make it up to him when this is over.
Small Children—Can a two year old make selling difficult?
As small as they are, they sure have a lot of stuff. Try packing toys while they nap. When you unpack in your new house, they will think it is Christmas. Store the big life-size golf carts and doll houses. Pack up most books. Neaten their closets. Clean out diaper pails, daily. Move obstacles out of the entry or middle of their room. Clear off bathroom countertops and hide bath toys under the sink.
Teenagers. Bribe if necessary.
Scary, but their private space is now on public display. They should make their bed every day, especially on weekends. Take down the beads and re-hang the door. Roll up those super model posters. Get the TV, DVD, Computer, X-Box and Video Games stored out of view. The closet is clean. Clothes are put away. Hide the spider collection and the magazines. Repaint those purple walls boring white. If a buyer is looking at the house, get out of bed, even if it is only 10:00 a.m., or get off the phone, turn off your TV and get out of the house. Take comfort– a trip to the mall usually buys their forgiveness.
Staging is a hard thing to live with everyday. Thankfully, if you do it right, you won’t doing it for long. One of those Looky Lou’s will picture themselves lounging and entertaining in your house in no time. They will at long last become a homeowner and you will be recognized as a true, real estate genius.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. Our turnkey marketing programs reach million of home buyers, from all over the world, each and every day. We can help you sell and save money to!!
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Do’s and Don’ts for Taking Good Real Estate Photo’s.
Profitable 2012 Resolution: Showcase and show off your home with great photo’s.
Photographs are important and powerful tools in marketing real estate. Statistics show that home sellers who provide numerous and good quality photographs of their property receive twice the amount of buyer interest than their competition.
When photographing your property, try to follow this advise from Dave Rezendes, #1 real estate photographer in the USA.
• Don’t assume that wider is better. Sometimes a particular vignette or architectural detail will better convey the feeling of a house and give a stronger effect.
…. CLICK HERE TO FINISH READING THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. Make 2012 your year to SHOW and SELL!!!!
7 Tips to Sell Your Home this Weekend
In today’s’ super-competitive housing market, it is essential that homebuyers picture themselves living inside the home you are trying to sell.
7 Home Selling Tips from the Lips of Top Selling Agents
- For starters, take down the Wallpaper – Trust me when I say, “Buyers just do not like wallpaper.” If you doubt how personal wallpaper is…just walk into any wallpaper store and stare at the thousands of available patterns. Chances of your tastes matching are at least a thousand to one. Don’t risk it! Pull that paper down!
- The Clutter HAS to Go! Living in a house is alot different than Selling a house. It is easy to get blind to your own clutter. Ask a friend, neighbor or neutral party to be honest with you. Then, pack away every single thing you don’t use. And, clear the kitchen counters completely.
- Smelly Homes Will NOT Sell. Agents have an old saying, “If I can smell it, I can’t sell it.” Pet smells, musty odor’s, etc will kill a sale everytime.
- White is not a Color. But, paint is your friend. Every room should have a fresh coat of paint in a warm, neutral color.
- A Spot of Color. Everyone loves flowers. Place pots with colorful annual flowers by the front door or plant seasonal color in the beds to make your home inviting and memorable.
- Househunting Begins on the Internet. If your property is not exposed on the internet, your chances of a buyer finding you are very small. Tip the odds in your favor by advertising your home on the MLS and all the major search engines for real estate. InfoTube also offers FREE property listings on its website. Also, make sure your listing includes at least 10 good photo’s of the interior and exterior of your home. If possible, also include a video tour of the house and neighborhood.
- Forget About Comp’s and Sold Properties. Study your competition, which means homes currently For Sale. If your home is priced too high when compared to your competition, it is going to sit for a long, long time.
Homeowners should please keep in mind that Buyers have a lot of choices. The homeowner who can make their house stand out among the vast inventory of “For Sale” signs will the one who wins the selling game.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com,, your do-it-yourself home selling source. We can bring buyer’s to your door. Check out our website to see how we’ve helped thousands of home sellers.
Who is Buying a Home This Year? The Baby Boomers, Baby!
If you have a condo, ranch, one level bungalow or a home with the master on the main level that you need to sell, this may be your lucky year. The baby boomers (those 77 million people that were born between 1945 and 1964) are back in the housing market in a big way..and they often pay cash.
The aging boomers have finally worked up the courage to sell the family house, depreciated as it is, and roll the home equity into their last ever home purchase. Ironically, the catalyst for this trend has nothing to do with real estate. The motivation is age, quality of life and the stock market. The stock market is back, bringing with it the net worth of the boomer generation, who controls 80 percent of the financial assets in the United States.
If you own a one level, low maintenance home…you are already sitting in tall cotton…but you can do some simple things to sweeten the pot even more…if you know what to emphasize and what needs to be done.
Capitalize on the needs of the 65+ year olds, who are looking for place that they can grow old in. They are naturally drawn to homes that are easy and safe to live in, even if managing stairs and home maintenance is hard to do.
- Replace door knobs with levered handles.
- Replace knob-type plumbing fixtures and cabinet pulls with levers or open handles.
- Today’s house only needs one bathtub. Offer at least one, barrier free shower on the main floor, even if means taking out a bathtub.
- Put a laundry room on the main floor, even if you have to eliminate a closet or half-bath to do so.
- Consider making entryway staircases longer and more gentle. Create an option to add a wheelchair ramp to one side, if needed.
- Consider adding grab bars in glass enclosures or if your bathroom has wide open space.
- Replace carpeting with tile, hardwoods or laminate flooring for easier maintenance, durability and a smoother surface.
- Provide ample indoor lighting and don’t forget the outdoor security lights.
- Provide outdoor handrails on stairs, inclines or wherever necessary
Marketing Insight: Most home improvements, suggested above, offer easy living appeal for all ages. Just because your house is senior friendly doesn’t lessen the appeal to everyone else, but always be tactful. Design two InfoSheets for Buyers. Offer one in a standard format and create another that highlights senior-ready amenities.
Why 6 Perent has been helping home sellers’ reach home buyers while saving thousands of dollars in commissions and fee’s. If you have the ability to show your own home to buyers’, then you should seriously consider a low flat fee MLS listing or an ad on Realtor.com. Our specialized program reachs 10 million home shoppers each month for pennies a day.
Thank you for visiting our blog!
Foreclosure Moratorium Erases Competition for Home Seller’s and Builder’s
While Wall Street wrings its hands and pulls its hair over the banking problems and foreclosure moratorium, home seller’s and home builder’s have a BIG reason to celebrate. Their competition dropped the ball!!!
The moratorium on foreclosures effectively removes ONE THIRD of all the homes For Sale from the market!! 33 Percent of the competition is GONE!!! For how long, we don’t know…but, we do know that this is a RARE opportunity and all property seller’s should take full advantage of it.
What can home seller’s and builder”s do to take advantage of the Bank Error?
- Realize that Time is of the Essense! The banks will work hard and fast to get their inventory back on the market. And, when they do, they will no doubt offer special incentives that individual seller’s can not compete against. The clock is ticking…….
- Price Right and Show Well! If your home is priced right against its remaining competition, and it is staged, depersonalized and shows well, Your House Will Sell.
- Marketing to the Masses is Key! The MLS sells over 90% of all the homes in the United States. If your home is not on the MLS, your chances of selling are less than 10%. If money is tight, know that you don’t have to pay 6% for an MLS listing. You can purchase an MLS listing for your Home for only $399.
Why6Percent.com believes that “a bank moratorium on foreclosure competition” is a very unique opportunity and the window is open for a short period of time, only. We are here to help you . “The clock is ticking”. Don’t let this unbelievable opportunity pass you by!!
5 Idea’s to Make Buyers FALL in Love with Your Home
Fall is a marvelous time of year. The air is crisp. The leaves are falling. Our favorite holidays are approaching. And, everyone is ready to nest in for the winter. It is an excellent time for buying and selling real estate, if you know how to make the most of the season.
We have 5 Tips for Anyone Selling Property during the Fall. If you interested in some easy, great idea’s and photographs…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. Our MLS package reaches millions of buyers and buyer agents with the click of a mouse. If you aren’t familiar with this powerful home selling tool, visit our website today!!!
Provide Instant Security with this New, Wireless LED Porch Light
A great new product from Fulcrum Products that provides security lighting where you need it, without hardwiring. The attractive security light installs in minutes using only a screwdriver and the included hardware. Anyone can do it…even me.
Product Description:
Brighten a dim porch, carport, childrens play area, stairwell or garage without needing to flip a light switch with this unobtrusive motion sensor LED porch light from Fulcrum Products. Upon detecting movement within a 100-degree angle and a 25-foot range, the 6-volt light switches on and stays illuminated until the sensor detects no motion for a solid 30 seconds. The six LED panel rotates to enable its cool blue light to illuminate the darkest areas. During the daytime, the sensor light’s photo cells prevent the light activation. The porch light is weather-proof for inclement weather. Easy to install, the light requires no hardwiring and comes with necessary mounting hardware. Four separately purchased C batteries are needed to power the light. The porch light measures 5-1/2 by 5-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches and weighs 1 pound.
The LED light bulbs will last for 100,000 hours and the 4 “C” type batteries last up to a year. The product retails for around $25. Brighten up your world today.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. Our flat fee MLS packages and Realtor.com List Until Sold packages reach millions of buyers each day for very little cash. If you need to sell a home, you can’t find a better value or better company to assist you!
Home Sellers – Up Your Odds
April has been a very strong month for home sales across all area’s and price ranges. Congratulations to dozens of our MLS and Realtor.com customers , who have received strong offers on their houses this month. Great job and good luck to each of you, as you move on to your new lives.
In order to help other customers, we looked into why some sellers were successful and some were not. We found that successful home sellers had 2 things in common. Thankfully, we were thrilled to find that the common denominator was not being the cheapest priced home in the neighborhood. This year, the homes that sold for near or at the asking price were properties that were in excellant condition and staged to sell. Every single one of them!!!
“Up the Odds” of selling your home by accepting two truths about this market… and then take action.
- First Truth: The market for homes that are in poor condition or need repairs is DEAD. The huge demand is for the homes that are immaculate and ”move in” ready.
- Second Truth: The homes that were sold this spring Showed Well. Many had lingered on the market for months on end. The owners recently neutralized, depersonalized, cleaned, decluttered and staged them. Not surprisingly, every single one of these homes Sold. There is no need for debating this issue…depersonalizing and decluttering sells homes.
Why6Percent.com recommends that home seller’s chant “this is no longer my home” at least 3 times a day. Neutralize, clean, declutter and pack up. Look at the property through the eye’s of the buyer. It’s the only way to Tip the Odds in Your Favor…We Promise!
Landscape Affects Buyer’s Moods and Home Sales
Most home buyers believe they should focus on the interior features of houses more than the landscape, but the truth is, that buyers will not get out of the car if the front landscape lacks interest and upkeep. The landscape and curb appeal should arouse the buyer’s interest and lure them inside to view the interior.
To get the highest return on your landscape dollar, utilize the principles found in Landscape Design Psychology. Landscape Psychology is based upon scientific research into the effects that the landscape has on home buyers. These proven idea’s will help your home sell faster, and for more money, by working on buyer emotions and senses.
The Power of Color
Coordinate the colors of your flowering foliage. Consider your selling season and plant flowers that perform well during that period. Use plants that support your atmosphere and climate. Also, use no more than 3 colors to give continuity and form to your landscape.
Colors also have psychological power. Green suggests freshness, coolness and vitality. White shows up at night and conjures feelings of cleanliness. Yellow is the first color our eye processes, so a spot of yellow by the front door will draw the eye to your entrance. Red, yellow and Orange are all Hot colors, which excite and pick up the mood of any weary house hunter.
About.com: Landscape is a great website for the average homeowner. The site provides idea’s and advice from professionals including a plant selector, great photographs, color scheme screener, DIY tutorials and helpful tips about hedges, fences, sidewalks, lawns and more.
Another great resource for help in creating an outdoor paradise can be found at HGTV.
The Power of Smell
Realtors advise sellers to bake cookies or burn vanilla candles before showings or Open Houses because a comforting and pleasant aroma has the power to influence minds and moods.
In addition to color psychology, smart home owners give thought to the use of scents when planting a landscape. They take advantage of the power of smell, especially near pathways and entry doors, that provoke a desired emotional response.
A few inexpensive and easy to grow suggestions that add a touch of scent to any landscape include lemon scented geraniums, jasmine, rosemary, lavender, basil, roses, hostas, honeysuckle, gardenia or heliotrope. In addition to providing months of enjoyment, many of these plants perform in a vareity of places such window boxes, planters, planting beds, hanging baskets or pathways.
When it comes to selling homes, a smart psychology landscape design can give you a huge advantage over your competition. If buyers feel good while they look at your home, it is more likely to sell quickly and for top dollar.
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. Our clients are receiving more buyer traffic and higher offers than we have seen in the last 2 years. If you aren’t listed on the MLS, Realtor.com and major real estate sites, you are missing 10 MILLION buyers who are searching for a home every month. Call us at 1-800-381-9496 for help in marketing your home!
10 Tips for Open House Weekend!
Open House Strategies for Success
- Set the Stage. Mow, clean, store and pack. Open the windows and pull back the drapes. Turn on the lights and light a few candles.
- Consider taking your pet to a neighbor or pet sitter during your Open House.
- Use a sign-in notebook to record contact information and invite comments and feedback.
- Ask a mortgage company to assist you in holding an open house. Many local companies provide an on-site lending officer to assist buyers in calculating payments and exploring financing options.
- Consider calling your local title company to see if they offer assistance to sellers holding open houses. Most of these companies offer a variety of free, helpful assistance, often including food, signage, advertising, etc…
- It is best to keep your Open House an adult only event. Consider arranging for your children to be away during your Open House.
- Don’t crowd the attendee’s or become their tour guide. Greet each visitor at the door and be available to answer any questions they might have, but stay in the background. Encourage the buyers to tour on their own and at their own pace. Make every effort to insure that each person is at ease. Allow them the privacy and time they need to discover all features of your home that interest them.
- Place small items, such as jewelry and medications, in a safe place during your Open House. Theft and stealing are very rare, but do occur occasionally in some areas. Safekeeping a few items will give you peace of mind and will assist you in your effort to Stage and Show your home.
- Be prepared for comments that you may not appreciate and try to not go on the defensive. You are selling, but remember buyers are buying. Remain composed when hurtful comments are made about your décor, price, neighbors, floorplan or location. Bite your tongue, smile, remain professional and courteous. Showing your own home is a most difficult task. To do it successfully, it is necessary to remain objective and most of us are not, especially about our home. Be polite and helpful to the buyer at all costs, no matter how hard.
- Smile, relax and enjoy meeting new people. Your Open House is your time to stand in the spot light, so greet your visitors as you would like to be greeted.
In conclusion, remember that holding an Open House is not mandatory for selling a home. It is a valuable marketing tool because it allows home shoppers easy access to your home. They are also very cost effective in terms of exposure, if you get the buyers to attend. On the other hand, you may not want the public touring your home or open houses may not be popular in your area. The decision to host or not is up to you…
Thank you for visiting Why6Percent.com. National Open House Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday. Buyers will be looking for Royal Blue balloons flying at Open Houses held by Realtors. Make the most of this opportunity and make sure blue balloons are flying at your house, too. Best of luck and let us know how you did!
