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Your Home At Center Stage
 In Hollywood they are called stylists. They are fashion professionals who help celebrities shine by outfitting them in the right clothes and accessories. In the world of home buying and selling, real estate professionals fill the same role, but in this case the “star” is your home. Here are five things you can do to stage your home for sale.
Staging is an important part of the home sale process.Staging is presenting your home in its best and most appealing light to the majority of buyers. In the end, it may even lead to less time on the market and a better sales price.
1. De-clutter and de-personalize: Remove all clutter and reduce the number of personal pictures and mementos. You do not have to purge everything, but packing away items at a friend’s house or in storage might be a good idea.
2. Go for an updated look: If you have well-worn, wall-to-wall carpet, rip it up and replace it. If your kitchen cabinets are dated, spruce them up with new paint. Making your home look its best may take some money and some elbow grease.
3. Create a warm and cozy environment: You want your home to have a welcoming feel. Rearrange seating to create conversation areas. You want buyers to want to stay and relax.
4. Lighten up: Use table lamps to create a warm glow and mirrors to reflect the light around the room. Open up blinds and shades to let the sunshine in. A fresh coat of paint in an inviting, neutral tone will play up the sense of light and warmth.
5. Use accessories: Accent pillows, throw blankets, fresh cut flowers, bowls of polished fruit and artfully arranged books, can help you complete the sophisticated and inviting scene. Remember, you want buyers to imagine themselves living in this setting.
Your real estate professional is your greatest resource when it comes to preparing your home for sale. Work with them to create the home of your buyer’s dreams. |
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On Your Side
 A good buyer’s agent is a valuable ally. She can help you locate desirable properties, evaluate asking prices, navigate negotiations and close the deal. In short, she is your advocate and guide, so choosing the right professional is an important decision.
When you interview prospective agents, be sure to ask about their experience, qualifications and interpersonal style. In addition, you will want to ask some pointed, real estate-related questions.
What is your average list-price-to-sales-price ratio? You want to gauge how effective the agent is at negotiating a sales price below or at the asking price. A low percentage will tell you the agent is skilled at lowering the sales price.
Do you represent sellers as well as buyers? Some real estate professionals are exclusive buyer agents while others work on both sides of the transaction. Ask how the agent would handle the purchase should you decide to buy one of the properties she represents.
What if I buy a For Sale By Owner property? Each agent has a company or personal policy on how they handle FSBO listings. Asking about their approach upfront eliminates possible misunderstandings.
May I contact some of your recent clients? Ask to speak with the last three buyers the agent has represented. This prevents them from showcasing their success stories or favorite clients. Instead it will let you gauge how they performed in the current market conditions.
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Return the Favor
 Interviewing for a job can be one of life’s more stressful experiences. Make yourself a better candidate by preparing as much as possible. Research the company, the position and prepare your own questions. You will seem more knowledgeable and interested if you have your own relevant questions to ask. |
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