If you are one of the many sellers who took their house off the market this past winter with the intent to relist in the Spring, you are probably in the process of preparing to relist. One very important thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to repeat your past mistakes. Learn from your experience of last winter and make some changes in your approach to selling this time around.
No calls for showings the first time? This would indicate buyers didn't like the price or they didn't like what they saw on the MLS. If you lowered the price and still didn't get calls, your problem was first impression.
Only 10 percent of home buyers can actually visualize. Ninety percent of the people looking at a home can't imagine it any other way than how it is shown to them. If furniture placement is in question, they aren't going to rearrange it in their mind. If they don't like the wall color, they aren't imagining it a warm, inviting color. If it has outdated wallpaper, they aren't imagining it painted. What they see is work needed and buyers today don't want to make improvements. They want "move-in" ready.
This time, think of the house as a product that you want to market to as many buyers as possible. Put the extra effort in to make sure that buyers will find it appealing, inviting, and worth the price you are asking for it.
Many sellers take their house off the market blaming the time of year, the economy, the Realtor...when the real problem is the condition of the house. They change the season and get a new Realtor and expect this to make a difference.
To quote Albert Einstein:
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
If you want different results this time around, you need a different approach. Make condition and presentation your priority.
When choosing a Realtor, look at the MLS photos of their current listings.
Ask them to recommend a home stager and get professional advice on what improvements would be the most cost effective.
Prepack as much as possible, clean, paint and update.
Organized closets, cabinets and drawers will increase perceived value and set your house apart from the competition.
If you choose not to improve the condition, you will have no choice but to lower the price.
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Sharon ~ Great information in this post! Thanks for making it available as a reblog; I'm going to reblog it, as I'm sure many people in my area could benefit from reading it.
Hi Sharon,
I like you blog today. It's good info and cute pics.
What about re-blogging? How does someone know if they can reblog or not? Am I missing something?
Portsmouth NH Real Estate
Kathy: Thank you. I'm happy you plan to share it with your readers.
Patricia: At the top, right hand corner there is a gray box that says "reblog" and you click it to post it on your blog for your readers. The circles colored in underneath it represent how many people have reblogged it. When you publish your posts you have the option to make it available for people to reblog.
Sharon, I think some sellers are beginning to understand the advantage they gain through staging. Few buyers can visualize, and even those that can will be more attracted to staged homes than to those that are not.
Great information, Sharon. I've reblogged you. :)
Patricia, I was going to leave you some information, but I can see that Sharon already explained it.
:)
Some good stuff here Sharon.. I've been quite amazed at how many homes on the market have been "re-assigned" to a new Realtor once the 6 month contract is over. And actually, much of my business has come to me this way via the new agent.
Makes me wonder why it is that there can still be REA's out there that still do not understand the value of staging. Especially as it relates to the photos on their websites! When I really want to get upset, I cruise some of the listings on the web.. I cannot believe some of what I see. As your before and after photos illustrate, what is percieved in ONE PICTURE can make the difference between an appointment to see a property and a pass...
I love your Einstein quote! You are so brilliant!!! Great post as always-such a treat to read!!
John: That is true. I have gotten more calls recently from sellers. They are starting to realize that help exists and how valuable it is.
Sylvie: Thank you so much! I'm glad you found it useful.
Anne: I am currently working with a Realtor who just got a listing and is the third Realtor to represent this property. She is the first one to bring in a stager. You wouldn't believe the paint colors in this house. I hope to get back in after the painter for some after shots so I can post photos.
Cathy: Thank you! I am very happy to be considered a "treat" to read! I hope I can continue to live up to your expectations!
This is great stuff Sharon. Certainly makes sense to me, but always amazes me how many people this topic doesn't occur to. Great timing too - I have seen many houses go back up on the market with a new realtor lately! Thanks for putting this together - this is great!
Sheila: How can it be so obvious to us and so many sellers keep making the same mistakes? Glad you found it useful. Thanks for commenting.
Sharon; is this even the same room? What a perfect illustration to a brilliant concept; do something different if it didn't get sold by the first Realtor!
Peg: Thanks! Your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated!
Hi Sharon, This is a great post to nudge the client into change and start the selling process with a new game plan!!! The room you staged looks like I want to see what else the home has to offer, well done!
Cynthia: Thank you! I appreciate your input. That house actually sold within 6 weeks of staging. It had been on the market almost a year prior to staging, with no offers.
Sharon - Whoa! What an amazing difference. Unfortunately, I think your 90/10 statistics apply to sellers, too. 90% of them don't recognize that they MUST set the stage to get their house sold. Thanks for the great post. Laraine
Laraine: I think you are right! They just don't realize the messages they are sending to buyers.