Planning on selling your home in Palm Beach County? If you've been following this Series (Preparing your Home for Sale in Palm Beach County- What to do BEFORE you list your house.), you're already ahead of the game. Remember, the key is to make your house "market ready" BEFORE you list it and have the first Open House. This does not mean that you should not contact a Realtor at this Stage. In fact, you'll want to utilize their experience and advice as well as that of a Home Stager while preparing your house. They will be able to help you decide what choices will make a difference in your particular market.
So let's review what you've done so far:
1. You've begun to think of your home as a product on the market
2. You've learned to see your house as Buyers see it
3. You've cleaned, repaired and replaced items that are in need of it.
4. You've edited and packed what you don't need
5. You may have updated some of your features.
Here's what you'll want to keep in mind as you Stage Your Home:
1. You're selling your home's architecture and square footage; it's space. . . If they can't see either because of too much furniture or "stuff" then you're missing an opportunity for a sale. Make sure your furniture is placed so that traffic patterns aren't blocked. Don't block windows with heavy coverings or furniture.
2. Stage your house to appeal to a broad range of buyers.. . . Yes there's someone out there who loves bright green walls, but can you afford to wait until that buyer walks through your house?
3. Show the liveability and purpose of each room. . . . don't think that because there's a chandelier in the room that the buyer will see it as a dining room.
The seller was using the Study as a child's bedroom. To sell their house, they turned it back into a Study
4. You've seen and heard this on every Home Staging program on HGTV or A&E, as well as various blogs but it's true; de-personalize your house. Pack and remove all personal photographs; pack your trophy deer heads; remove items that say "who you are." You want a buyer to be able to FOCUS on your house NOT your things.
The personal photographs covering the wall distract the buyer from "seeing" the rest of this room. Instead it's human nature to stop by the wall and look and comment on the photos. But, did they remember the room they just saw?
Staging your Occupied Home doesn't have to be expensive. As a Home Stager, I always try to utilize the furniture and accessories that my Seller already has. Take a walk through each room, the attic and your drawers. You never know what you might turn up! And, don't forget to call upon your family and friends for extra furniture you might need. If you do feel you need to purchase items, your local Home Staging Professional can assist you with professional discounts.
