Homes are selling but they are not selling for as high a price nor are they selling as quickly. Does that sound familiar in your area?
As a home stager with Re$ale Design & Home Staging, I know at least a partial solution to the problem. In order for your home to sell better and faster than those of the competitions' it needs to be properly presented and be priced competitively, from the start. A home that shows well both outside and inside is going to get offers. When prospective buyers make an emotional connection with the home - they want it! I keep hearing from Realtors "home staging - we do that". Then I look at the MLS photos. Home staging is more than cleaning and decluttering (although a lot of the photos were also missing that element). Color, traffic flow, highlighting focal elements, curb appeal, up grades that pay back - that is what we know.
Let us work with you as a team player to change the statistics and make 2009 a more productive year.
Welcome from the Brainerd Lakes - where outdoor and indoor recreational opportunites abound. Looking to buy on one of our many lakes? Ready to move up or down? Having trouble selling your home? Falling behind on payments or already in the foreclosure process? I am a Certified Short Sale Specialist as well as a Home Staging Expert.
Call me!
Kathleen, I just read an article in the local paper that said seller's must price their houses to actively compete with all of the foreclosures on the market. OUCH! I wish that it had also said "AND prepare you house to shine with a professional stager."
I'm sure glad that we're not looking to sell anytime soon.
Ginger - With foreclosures taking up the bulk of the homes on the market - they are becoming the competition. what many do not consider is the thousands of dollars it will take to get them to be comparable with those selling not under duress. Some of them are very good buys, but people have to buy (anything) wisely.
I certainly would like to stage(& then some) some foreclosures but the lenders are not going for that here yet. We do trash out services - I should blog on that.
Hi Kathleen,
The proof is in the MLS photo. I don't know why sellers don't insist on seeing the most recent examples when they are selecting an agent.
Susan -I will be proudly displaying my staged examples as part of my listing presentation. Hopefully, I will have the competitive edge.
Kathleen - So true. I think a seller and their Realtor need to come out with their guns loaded. Price it right and make it look great at the beginning, not after it's too late.
Debbie - there you go - guns blazing!!!! Start out right - you know what you are there for- git er done.
Great post Kathleen. Yes putting the best foot forward right out of the gate is the best option. It's nice to see the inventory levels improving in the existing marketplace. REO's will climb over the winter months with the numbers of mis-managed short sales going on right now.
Best wishes on the soon to be part :)
Margaret - As with anything it is best to start out well prepared. WE don't need to test the market - we know where it is and now we deal with it.
Frank - I have been studying Short sales and see a number of flaws in how things are being handled. I am done with my RE classes and now need to test. I am determined to pass both on the first try.
You're so right -- with so many homes in inventory now that means great preparation, professional staging and quality MLS photographs are crucial to being competitive in this market. But a critical point is setting the price at the outset that's competitive today. Researching comparable selling prices (not just "asking" prices) in the area within recent weeks and months are relevant. Unfortunately it's tough news to break to a client that what they expected to get for their house a year ago isn't going to attract buyers now. But with all these elements working together, as well as the professional team representing the home (Realtor, Stager, Photographer...and Homeowner!), a successful sale is still achievable in this market.
By the way, Kathy, congratulations on your new transition! You go, girl! Leslie
Leslie - I now have to add everyone on my other profile and blog twice as much.
More competition means get competitive or get behind the pack. Homes sellers still are not for the most part getting this -
DENIAL or lack of education?
There is absolutely no doubt about it... homes that look just a little bit better than the competition will go into contract sooner.
Chuck, I of course, whole heartedly agree.