Okay. I know it's Thanksgiving, but I want to focus on the future. You are thinking right now - Christmas is only a month away! Let's just put that out of our minds for a few days and talk about Real Estate in Artesia again. A little distraction from the craziness.
One of the questions I get asked frequently in this business is “What should I do to make my house show better to prospective buyers?” It's a valid question. Many of us have been through homes that are for sale and they just don't show well. There are houses that have all the space and amenities people want, but because of the contents or color schemes or other factors it's hard to see the house for all it offers. The process of making a home more of a showcase for potential buyers is called “Staging.”
If you have watched HGTV for any length of time, you have seen Real Estate programs featuring professional home stagers making houses beautiful and increasing the value of the home. Unfortunately in Artesia, we don't have professional staging contractors to work this type of magic on your home when you're ready to sell. There are lots of resources on the www to help you, but I thought I would give out a couple tips I have picked up along the way.
De-Personalize
Our homes are so personal. If you have lived in your home for any length of time, you doubtless have had many joys, memories, triumphs, heartaches, and tender moments in that structure. It is very difficult to separate those feelings from the place, but it will be necessary if it is to attract the largest number of buyers. Home purchasers want to see the space – not the stuff. Unless they have the exact same taste as you in furnishings, colors, and style, lots of things that make the home uniquely yours will be a distraction. Get as much of “you” out of the house as possible. It sounds harsh, but buyers actually view a home more favorably if it is generic. Your home should be the Switzerland of style. Neutral is the theme you want to achieve. Very loud colors and eccentric tastes may work against your main goal – to sell the house for the best price possible.
De-Clutter
If you have lots of furniture and shelves full of artifacts from your many world travels, if your walls are crowded with family pictures, the house you are trying to sell looks smaller than it truly is. Nobody likes to hear that their wedding photos or Waterford Crystal tulip vase they bought on their second honeymoon to Ireland is “clutter” - but it is. Ask for cold, un-invested opinions from friends or family to help you remove the things that are distracting in your home. I wish all that evidence of actual lives being led in a home helped sell it, but the truth is that selling a home is tough business.
An investment worth making sometimes is a rented storage space. It's tempting to cram all your extra belongings in a spare room, but then that room loses its value to the house as extra space. Remember, buyers are looking for space, not stuff or style. They are planning on adding their own stuff and style to the space when and if they buy your home. Get it all out of the home if it is adding to clutter, and you'll make it up in increased sale price or shortened time on the market.
De-Odorize
One of the first things customers entering a home often say is “What is that smell?” And they usually don't mean it in a good way. If you have pet, smoke, or other smells not associated with pleasant things – do all it takes to get rid of it and replace the bad smells with good ones. You would be surprised how often very nice homes get crossed of buyers' lists because of odor in the home. It's a big deal. Again, if you are unsure if your home has a particular odor, ask someone who loves you enough to tell you the truth, then fix it.
Artesia Real Estate is different than anywhere else, but there many truths that cross all boundaries. With a little effort your home can be a star in the marketplace, and you will get the best possible price in the shortest amount of time. Call me if I can help
Scott Takacs
All Real Estate, All the Time.
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