You Never Get a Second Chance...
You have heard the saying, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." The same is true for your home when it is for sale. I hear all too often, "I don't want to spend the money doing ____. I'll list it and see what happens." The fact of the matter is, a home is most valuable when it first hits the market. Many buyers have search filters set up to show them new listings. Taking the "wait and see" approach to doing repairs, updates, staging, etc. may prove to be costly. Your first impression occurs online, so make sure you do everything you can to make your home's first impression a good one. Paint over brightly colored walls, replace worn or stained carpet, and find a professional home stager who can "photostyle" your home before the professional photographer arrives; and PLEASE use a professional photographer! Take a look at your competition in the neighborhood, and make sure your home is the best looking one out there. If it doesn't show well online, you won't have much traffic coming in the door.
And speaking of traffic coming in the door, did you know that most potential home buyers make a decision about whether a home is on their "keep" or "toss" list withing the first 15-20 seconds of walking in the front door? Make the most of those 15-20 seconds! Keep your front porch clean, plant some seasonal color by the door, give the door a fresh coat of paint. (need help choosing a paint color? Fill out the Contact form on my website, and I will send you a copy of Front Doors and Selling Your Home, from the Real Estate Staging Association). Eliminate any odors that may assault their senses when they walk in the door. Consider updating the light fixture in the entry. Board pets and put away any beds, toys, litter boxes, etc. Open all drapes, blinds and shutters to let in as much natural light as possible, and call in the help of a professional home stager to get your home show ready!
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Amy Fedosky is a professional home stager, and mother to 3 sons and 1 daughter. She loves travel, watching her kids play sports, chocolate, and a good glass of wine. Amy has lived in Rowlett for 28 years, and has been staging in the Dallas area since 2011.
