It is common knowledge that you need to prepare your house for sale. You would have to be living under a rock not to know that you have to "declutter"to make your house more desirable, and it is highly unlikely that you haven't seen some form of home staging show on television.
So, I have a question for you....
What gives?
How is it possible that there are so many filthy, cluttered, poorly maintained houses out there on the market?
I'm not talking about running into one every now and then. I'm talking about more times than not...
The market is cluttered with "BEFORE" pictures!
Maybe it's just me...maybe it's the nature of my work...
I am, after all, called in to give advice. Maybe I'm only seeing the ones that really need help. Maybe I've spent too much time checking out houses on the MLS.
For those who are serious about selling their house? Here is some free advice...
Get the buyers' attention. Show them something that they are not expecting.
Surprise them!
After a long day of touring nightmares,
make your house the house of their dreams.
Show them something they didn't see in any of the other houses. Show them clean, organized, freshly painted. Show them light and spacious.
Here is a novel idea:
Clean under the sink, organize all the cabinets, drawers, and closets. Clean inside the oven and refrigerator. Clean all the windows.
It's really not that hard to impress buyers when your competition is so bad!
More information on preparing your house for sale:
The Secret To A Fast Home Sale
Are You Preparing Your House To Sell Or Sit?
NH Home Stager Reveals Secrets To Selling
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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
Sharon, things are a little different here. I go into homes most of which look like they came right out of a magazine. Sellers are really working hard to put their best foot forward to be ahead of the competition. It's actually very nice to take buyers around right now because there are so many wonderful choices for them.
Tammie: That is awesome! I am really happy to hear that. I just don't understand when I see some of these homes and it looks like the sellers have no clue at all how bad it is.
Sharon- Really good post. Yes, I've been in homes where I scratched my head and thought "What could they possibly have been thinking??? Don't they realize people will be coming into their homes?"Great advice about cleaning underneath the sinks, etc. Very often a missed area.
Sharon
The homes that are priced right and show well sell fast.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
LOL, Sharon! Ya think? Well done, my friend!
Debi
Hi, Sharon. It's amazing what a difference clean windows can make! Good advice.
Simple solutions with great results - nice post Sharon!
Well written, common sense post!! Shine above the others and you will come out ahead of the competition.
Sharon, I have a friend who bought the first house she found with a clean oven. Just consider it job security--if everybody "got it" we wouldn't be needed.
Kathy: I'm sure you have seen what I have seen. Another thing I see is that they declutter by throwing everything into a closet. They just don't consider that buyers will be looking in there.
Lou: So true! Thanks.
Debi: Why is this not more obvious?
Leslie: Most people, in general, don't keep their windows clean. It is a neglected area in most homes. To see clean windows is very impressive and sends an awesome message to potential buyers. It's not something they see often...they don't expect it!
Karen: It should be basic common sense!
Cathy: That's all I'm saying!
Debra: My mother-in-law bought her house based on the clean oven too! I appreciate the fact that once sellers totally "get it" we could be out of business. However, I see that day as a long way away!
Hi Sharon, it seems so simple doesn't it??? Clean and organize doesn't cost the seller a thing. Luckily for me it's been exception.
Cynthia: I'm glad to hear that you don't see this as often as I do. Maybe things will change around here soon too!
Sharon,
Another good post that speaks directly to what sellers need to hear!
Judi: Thank you!
Hi Sharon,
Good Post....I enjoyed it!
Patricia/Seacoast NH
Patricia: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Sharon, informative post for us and our sellers - thank you!
Laxson Assoc: I'm glad you found it informative. Thank you!