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Home Staging-Investment or an Expense?

Posted on by Avril Brown

Home Staging

Investment or an Expense?

This is a question on many a home sellers mind.Here in Halifax the concept of Home Staging is just catching on.Perhaps HGTV has done it’s part in spreading the word about this very valuable marketing tool but it would be safe to say some homeowners and realtors are still skeptical about using this service and laying down some hard earned cash.I don’t blame you,I don’t like parting with money either.The reality though is that home buying has changed.

Buyers expectations are much higher  having been elevated by all those TV shows,home decor magazines and designer show homes and the competition, who have grasped the concept of preparing a home for sale.

Sellers have to work harder than ever before to compete in the market and ordinary just does not cut it anymore!

The general rule of thumb is that sellers should invest 1% of their homes value getting it ready for sale.This includes any deferred maintenance,some painting,pre-packing and decluttering…..and then staging to create an inviting presentation with WOW factor.

An average home say $300,000 would take $3,000 to get it to the ready to sell stage.

Sound like a lot ?

Well,consider the alternative if you choose not to spend anything on preparing your home for the market.

A somewhat interested buyer comes along and your home fills their needs almost so they hum and haw a little – they just don’t LOVE the property.They finally decide to put in an offer but they start at $253,000.They are not in love with your home so they won’t pay top dollar.Offers and counter offers go back and forth.It’s at $269,000 and finally they say that’s it – they don’t want to pay another dime.No sale.

A few months go by and your agent suggests lowering your asking price – the typical first price reduction is 10%,so now the asking price is $270,000.Traffic does increase but after being on the market for so long buyers think there is still a deal to be had.An offer comes in for $259,000.

That $3,000 for getting your home ready to put on the market doesn’t sounds so bad after all!

Staging is a wise investment – your home will sell faster and for a higher price plus you will save on the extra expense of utilities,taxes and mortgage payments.

Making a short term investment before your home goes on the market is a decision you will not regret.

The Home Interview

Posted on by Avril Brown

The Home Interview

Dress to Impress!

You want to dress to impress – what do you wear? That old suit in the back of the closet with the frayed edges and outdated colour .Yes, it looked great at your cousins wedding in 1995 but it’s not going to get the job done on this interview. Not exactly the great first impression you want people to remember you by.

Properties are constantly being “interviewed” by homebuyers and realtors. The majority of sellers seem to think buyers will see past the dated décor, garish paint colours and clutter.

That old sofa the dog sleeps on and the floral wallpaper border might have looked fabulous in it’s heyday but what today’s buyer perceives is the present owners have deferred updating this property when their perception should be “I love this home”

[singlepic id=108 w=320 h=240 float=left]85% of homebuyers search the internet for their dream home. As images flash before their eyes in seconds they instantly reject the properties that fail to resonate on an emotional level thus resulting in many missed opportunities.

How do you minimize your lost opportunities?

By following a few simple steps your home will be “interview ready” for buyers .

  • Remove all clutter and store, out of the home if possible, or toss
  • Family photographs and collections should be removed and packed
  • Tidy closets and remove most of clothing to suggest ample storage space
  • Update dated and loud paint colours to appeal to a broader range of buyers
  • Purchase  new bed linens in a neutral palette to instantly update your space
  • Do all those odd jobs you have been putting off around the house – red flags to a buyer
  • Clean windows, buyers love a bright light space, open drapes to let the sun shine in
  • Eliminate odours, especially pet and cooking smells, ask a friend to do the sniff test
  • Ensure furniture does not block traffic flow – less is more

[singlepic id=49 w=320 h=240 float=]A home that has been staged is more marketable, appeals to a broader range of buyers, and overshadows the competition. The property will appear fresher, brighter and newer, and easier for a buyer to envision living there. A staged home will make “The Home Interview” memorable for the right reasons.

The vast majority of homes for sale have not been staged by a professional or a capable “Do it Yourself” enthusiast, so your listing will be unique and stand out as the “move in ready” home.

Turning a property into a “house for sale” instead of a “home for the present owners to live in” is often best left to a professional who has no emotional ties to the property which will help the owner “move on” and the buyer better envision the home as their space. The practical, emotional, financial and aesthetic aspects of the home have all been addressed. What more could a buyer ask for?

Real Estate Photography

Posted on by Avril Brown

Real Estate Photography

First Impressions – why waste them? 

As the saying goes “you only get one chance to make a first impression” so why waste it.

The online images of your home have to impress a buyer in 15 seconds or less before they dismiss your property as a non contender.Gone are the days when any old photo will do.If your images don’t look professional you risk losing a buyers interest at “hello”.

Professional Real Estate Photographers know all the tricks to make your listing stand out from the crowd.Their use of lighting techniques, elevation and professional equipment ensure your home outshines the competition.Listings with good quality photographs that have been professionaly staged sell faster and at a higher asking price so you reap the rewards.

PREP recommends Farm Gate Imaging owned and operated by Vanessa Lentz for top quality images for Real Estate.

To view Vanessa’s website go to www.farmgateimaging.ca 

Home Staging in conjunction with Professional Photography ensures you have the edge needed in todays competitive marketplace.

Holiday Decor – The Seasonal Shift

Posted on by Avril Brown

Holiday Décor – The Seasonal Shift

A few of my favourite things

With Halloween just a blur (that could be due to the sugar high) all systems are go around town and the faint sound of “Jingle Bells” in the air.

While scouting a few stores out this past Saturday my day started with ghosts, goblins and pumpkins galore. By early afternoon retailers who would put a swat team to shame had replaced all things scary with enough glitter and glitz to Deck the Halls from here to The North Pole (ok, maybe not quite that far!)

If, like me, you still have a Halloween wreath on the front door, visions of sugarplums aren’t yet dancing in your head, but now is the ultimate time to start planning your decor  for this season. Selection is at it’s best right now and talking from experience if you need to pick up a few items to freshen and update your Holiday look now is the time to do it, before it’s gone baby gone!

[singlepic id=143 w=320 h=240 float=left]On my jaunt I saw some fabulous displays, kudos to Metro retailers who have really outdone themselves this year.

  Colour Combos

 Turquoise & Lime – Love it. Fresh, a little funky and unexpected.  Lots of this palette around in baubles this year. Birds are the “it” ornament this season, from peacocks (great with this combo) to dainty glass birds with feather tails. These feathered friends make a great new addition and are available in every hue.Red & Lime – Didn’t think I would like this one either but the red really makes the lime pop! Last year I decorated my tree in a lime, chocolate brown and gold combo but this year I am thinking red and lime is the way to go. This shade of green instantly updates the forest green usually paired with red (so 1980’s)  White & Silver – I love the frosty glow of this holiday classic combo. Glittering snowflakes, icicles and shimmering silver, teamed with white lights to add a starry finish. Add one more hue and you get a whole new look. Purple would look so on trend – mum you were ahead of your time with your purple tree 2 years ago, it’s the colour right now.

[singlepic id=142 w=320 h=240 float=left]Hot Pink & Black – Very “Sex in the City”. Think feather boa, high heel shoe ornaments and martini glasses – what a fun girly, girl look for a theme tree with a feminine spin.  Bronze & Gold – A beautiful warm and sophisticated look. Try to stay away from gold with a high sheen and opt for matt finishes to make this scheme more current. A tree skirt in rich, chocolate brown velvet and glittered ferns in the same tone will finish this look off. Matt gold also looks stunning with black for a scheme that looks “oh so chic”.   

PREP’s Seasonal Décor Service can give your home the WOW factor whatever your budget!