New Hampshire Home Stager reveals secrets to selling. Secrets to selling your house? Can there be any secrets left? It seems with all the home staging information out there and so many home staging shows popular on HGTV, all the secrets must be told by now.
And yet...take a look through your local MLS and see the pictures that people are using to represent their "product for sale." Home staging is still a fairly new concept in New Hampshire and most other parts of the country, and it is obvious that the secrets are not all out of the bag just yet.
Over the course of the next two weeks, I will be sharing some of the things I believe to be very important when preparing your house for sale, things that most sellers don't think of. Every other day, I will post a new "secret" strategy that you can use to make your house more appealing to buyers.
Tip #1 Update Light Fixtures
Probably my favorite improvement...updating the light fixtures. My experience has been that most sellers never even consider the impact that their light fixtures can make. Many Realtors are surprised when I suggest replacing the fixtures. It's one of those subtle, subconscious messages the house sends to buyers. Dated, cheap, or worn fixtures devalue the house.
This is an area where a little money spent can make a huge difference and add tremendous perceived value to the home. You can add thousands of dollars of value by only spending a few hundred dollars.
This bedroom ceiling fixture was updated for $17 - Ceiling fan purchased at Home Depot on clearance.
For under $50 this kitchen light was replaced and it instantly increased the home's perceived value.
This foyer light fixture was replaced for $54 and added tremendous impact to the entrance.
Home staging is more than decorating and it's more than just decluttering. it's a whole series of things that add up to strategic marketing. Updating your light fixtures is one of those things that will add perceived value to the product you are selling and make a far greater impression on buyers.
Another thing to remember: Be consistent throughout your house with the finish and style of lighting fixtures you choose. Consistency makes for a better flow and adds to the "perception of greater value" you are looking to achieve.
Stay Tuned for Tip #2
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Sharon - Great points and perfect photos to get your point across! Love that bedroom!
Sharon you know how I'm on the same page with you here. Sometimes I think that's all that RE agents remember about my stagings because I do "go on" about this subject. If I had the room to store light fixtures (and a crystal ball as to the stagings to come) I would take new ones with me to every consult. Lighting fixtures, to me, are crucial. You're examples are spot-on!
Sharon- I couldn't wait to see what your post for the challenge would be and you did not fail. So little time is spent on the importance of lighting and your pictures showed the effect just a little time and money can have on the look of the home. Great post.
Hi Sharon
The lighting made a big difference.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Shelley: Thanks! The bedroom is actually my daughter's. She owns a condo. She loves green and we accented it accordingly.
Ginger: I remember! I wish I could have an inventory of light fixtures too! I see great deals on clearance all the time. Thanks for the great comment!
Kathy: Thank you so much. This challenge will find us with more stagers...we didn't have too much of a stager presence in the past challenges. It should be fun seeing all the different angles they use for their series. This challenge should be easy compared to the others!
Lou: Thank you!
Sharon - You are on your game. For less that $150 there is a huge difference in the lighting fixtures. What a difference on the bedroom - the fixture ($17 wow) combined with the new paint and decor is very attractive. Looking forward to see what you have to share next. Nice job.
Sharon, if you lived in my area I wouldn't list a home that you hadn't staged! Rock on!
Oh how I am loving this one!! Yes, you are so spot on!
Oh Sharon this was spot on! Those dated fixtures can well...date the home. You demonstrated it so well with your photos and cost effective choices.
I agree - lighting fixtures are like jewelry for a house (faucets, too!).
Judy: I'm looking forward to seeing what I have next too...guess I better figure that out! Thanks for the nice comment!
Janna: Wow! I'm flattered! I guess I'll be moving to your neck of the woods, then! As soon as I convince the hubby, I'll let you know.
Cathy: Glad you liked it. Thanks for the comment.
Cynthia: I love seeing your childish face and curly hair in my comment section! Thanks so much!
Joetta: I like that comparison! Who wants cheap bling?
Ya know Sharon, I've never lost that childlike spirit ;) Lucky me.
Great post!! The difference is amazing. If home owners can't see the added value in updating lighting for a small cost, they must be blind. I love the room with the green. It's beautiful.
It's hard to believe that such a simple and cheap solution can produce such a big difference, but it's true! Well done!
Cynthia: I can tell! I bet you are a lot of fun to be around!
Chrissie: Thank you so much, I appreciate it!
Georgina: It really doesn't have to be expensive to make a big difference. Sellers don't always understand this. Thanks for stopping in!
Great Post Sharon,
Lighting is always at the top of my list with clean. It makes such a huge impact for so little cash.
Ana: Thank you! It's one of the least expensive improvements with big bang for the buck.
A picture is worth a thousand words...when you show your "before" and "after" photos, the idea sells itself. You have a wonderful "eye!" If a home isn't staged, I recommend removing items and fixtures that buyers may ask sellers to include because it wouldn't look the same without them. Best not to let the buyer even see these things if you don't want to give them up; buy a nice fixture and install it before the house is even shown.
Leslie: You are absolutely right! Thanks for mentioning that, I wish I had! I always tell my clients to remove it if they aren't including it. Once you say something isn't included or try to charge an additional fee for something to be included...sellers want it thrown in for free. Best to just not have it be an issue at all! Thanks so much for the comment.
That is one of the first things I work on with a seller if the rest of the home is pretty presentable because like you said a light fixture can change the whole look of the room. Great presentation Sharon.
Debra: I'm glad to hear that you address this issue. It really will make the difference in perceived value. Thanks for commenting.
This is one of the best things you can do!
Cindy: I obviously agree! Thanks.