New Hampshire Home Stager reveals secrets to selling.
Did you know that only 10% of buyers can actually visualize a room any other way than how you show it to them. It is very important, when preparing a house for sale, to clearly define the space and function of each room.
Don't expect potential buyers to try and figure out how to better arrange the furniture because your furniture is not working in the room.
If you currently have your house on the market or are planning on selling your house in the near future, then this seven-part series was written for you.
Previous Tips:
Tip #1 Update Lighting Fixtures
Tip #2 Identify Red Flags
Tip #3 Pre-Pack Your Stuff
Tip #4 Define Space & Function
Buyers looking at this room on the MLS have no idea what room it is. It seems to be a home office for a clock collector. The dated window treatments and carpet aren't making it any more appealing.
The solution: The desk was closed, the clocks were removed, and furniture was rearranged. The only items purchased were the new window treatments.
The sellers of this house were using the dining room as a playroom, and they expected buyers to see past the toys. Buyers don't "see past" clutter...they walk past clutter, right out the door to the next house on their list.
The solution: The toys were removed and the dining set was brought up from the basement where it was being stored. Fresh paint and a new light fixture were the final touches.
This condo was listed vacant, with only one photo of the kitchen posted on the MLS. It was impossible to see the size of the room from the photo. In person, the room appeared very small and it was very difficult for buyers to visualize making use of the space. A big issue was that there are no cabinets in this kitchen.
The solution: A table and chairs was brought in with a few basic accessories. Appliances were upgraded to stainless.
To address the "no cabinets" issue, small appliances, dishes, and cookware were placed in one closet and food items (cereal, canned goods) were placed in the other. (Closets on either side of mantel)
Two pictures replaced the original picture on the MLS to better represent the room.
Stay tuned for Tip #5
______________________________________________________________________________
For More Information Visit My Website
Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast
Portsmouth Rye Greenland Hampton North Hampton Exeter Dover Stratham
603.661.8524
What a great series, I am going to use it as a resource for all my future sellers to read!
So true Sharon, define that space!!! I've seen dinning rooms taken over by the children's toys, it looks like a toy store.
That dining room transformation gives me hope one day for mine.......my husband has turned ours into his office and I wonder if it will ever be a dining room again.
Janna: I am quite flattered! I hope the series helps your sellers to understand the value of preparation and makes your job easier.
Cynthia: That does seem to be a popular place to make the playroom. I see it all the time.
Ann: It will have to be when you decide to move one day. Isn't that always the way, we fix it up to sell to someone else!
What a great visual those photos make and great tools for our sellers.
Hi Sharon, I didn't know that 10% of buyers can actually visualize a room any other way than how you show it. Great tip! Super series of posts. I would love to re-blog, but I feel I would like to ask your permission because of all the time and effort you put into these wonder blogs. Let me know either way moniquehailer@mris.com
Lee & Carol: I hope sellers find these posts helpful! Thanks for commenting!
Monique: Thank you for the nice comment. Of course, you may reblog. I hope the posts are useful to your sellers!
Sharon-another great addition to your series. I loved your first example of the desk/clock room. Without great expense you were able to show the room as it might be used. And a great solution for the cabinet-less kitchen. I was just contacted today about just such a kitchen. Now I have a possible solution!
Kathy: That is wonderful...I am glad to hear my post was helpful!
Sharon ~ Wow a kitchen with no cabinets -- what a challenge! The dining room transformation is wonderful thanks to the paint color change and the dining set coming back in.
My favorite was the dining room. How many times do you see it used as a playroom?!! Might not be too bad, but in all the split colonials we have in this area, it is usually the first room you see as you enter the home!
What great visuals your blogs are for my sellers. I intend to use them for future reference. Great job Sharon!
Maureen: The kitchen with no cabinets was a challenge. I had never seen that before or since. The two "pantry" closets were good size though. The realtor had not thought of showing them with "cabinet stuff" in them. It was a really old house with lots of charm, turned into condos.
Kim: It was visable from the entrance...first impression was not good at all!
Debra: That is wonderful...I'm happy the posts are useful to you and may help your sellers in the future! Thanks.
Sharon, Thanks you! I hope you get some juice and a new job because of your Home Staging in Portsmouth NH. Via
Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager
Portsmouth, NH
Hello Sharon,
What a terrific post! Packed with great visuals and tips! Thank you for sharing!
Rita
Monique: Thanks for the "juice generating" comment, I appreciate it!
Rita: Thank you for your enthusiasm!
Hi, Sharon. Why don't you move to Jamestown, Tennessee? I need you HERE! Big South Fork national park is a destination for trail riders and many who came from Knoxville, Nashville, Chattanooga etc. to ride on weekend built a small cabin...with a septic permit for what they built. Maybe they added on to it. And added on again. Now you have a three-bedroom cabin permitted for one bedroom. In advertising the property, it's now a one bedroom cabin with two "bonus rooms." Well....what's a bonus room? Will it be used as a bedroom? An office? A playroom? A exercise room? Staging is a concept that barely exists here and buyers often cannot visualize the possibilities.
I LOVE what you did with the kitchen in your photos.....what a huge difference the dark stove and vase of flowers made!
Leslie: I wish I could help you out! Thanks so much for the comment. The stainless appliances really do make a huge difference. There were four condo units in this building and the one they used for photos was the one with white appliances...switching with one of the other units was an easy fix.