When it comes to buying real estate, buyers imagine they can look past ugly decor or empty rooms and see “potential,” but they rarely can. Discerning home sellers realize that the same principles that apply when viewing a showhome are also relevant in the resale market, and turn to professional home stagers to ensure they sell quickly and for top dollar.
Real estate buyers start house hunting with a logical list of criteria, but the home they actually buy is chosen largely for emotional reasons.
“To sell your home fast, for top dollar, you want buyers to lose their hearts”
The principle aim in a home-staging project is to allow potential buyers to walk into the house and have that “this is it, this is home” feeling.
Once a potential buyer can say “I love it,” they are willing to look past some of the criteria they had on their list before they walked in the door. That’s why it is critical to pay attention to even the smallest detail when staging a home to sell. Clutter, vacancy and outdated furniture can cross your house off the list! Today’s buyers are design savvy.
“To sell your home fast, for top dollar, you want buyers to lose their hearts. This is most often what compels them to write an offer,” explains Dione Irwin of Dione Irwin & Associates.
Your listing photos need to captivate them enough to want to take the trouble to see your house in person.
Otherwise, you’re just another piece of real estate competing with hundreds of other listings in your area and price range.
Some home sellers worry about spending money on staging. This is actually a very costly decision because unless your home shows impeccably, you are going to take longer to sell, or get a lower offer.
If a house doesn’t sell within those first critical weeks, most agents recommend a price drop of at least $5,000. This is money right out of your pocket!
It is much more preferable to stage your home right from day one. Done right, home staging can provide an excellent return on investment.
