programsforcomputers.com

Author: Peter Jordan

 

The booming real estate market of 2006 has reached a cooling off point for most places around the United States, and for some it has gone cold. Now, more than ever, staging a home for sale can be the most important thing a Westfield, New Jersey can do. By following a few tips from the experts, a seller can increase the value of their house as well as reduce the length of time it is on the market.   

 

Staging a home can mean the difference of thousands of dollars. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports that a staged home will for an average of 17 percent higher than an un-staged home. That means a house listed at $250,000 can see an increase of close to $43,000. And those who spent approximately $500 on staging increased their home’s value by an average of $1,715.  Since most homeowners have difficulty seeing their house objectively, it may be beneficial to request help from friends, a realtor, or a staging professional.

 

Preparing the house for a showing can be a time consuming process, and research shows that the longer a house stays on the market the lower the selling price will be. Staging a house can mean the difference between weeks or months on the market. The New York Village Voice reported that the average number of days an un-staged home is on the market is 30.9 versus 13.9 for a staged home.

 

 

Increase Curb Appeal: The buyer’s first impression starts here

-           Look for chipped paint, especially around the doors and trim, and touch up where needed.

-           Always keep the yard mowed and edged.

-           Add touches of color with plants and flowers, and keep garden areas manicured.

-           Rent a power washer and clean surfaces like brick, siding, sidewalks, and driveways.

-           Clear spider webs from entry ways, and make sure there is plenty of light.

 

Kitchens: The heart of a house

-           De-clutter counter tops; find a cabinet to hide appliances and everyday items.

-           Keep cabinets organized to make them look as large as possible.

-           Remove personal items from the refrigerator, like drawings and pictures.

-           Consider updating a few appliances; this can add a lot of value to the home.

-           Make sure there is plenty of light.

-           Clean all surfaces including grout, sinks, corners, and floors.

 

Living Rooms: Help the buyer picture their family here

-           Consider the flow of the room and arrange furniture in a way that is functional and inviting. If you have too much furniture you may want to consider renting a storage space.

-           Remove pictures and personal items.

-           Bring the outside in by adding a plant or fresh flowers.

-           Bring attention to wood floors by polishing them, and rent a steam cleaner to make the carpet look as new as possible.

 

Bathrooms: Clean should be the first thing on the buyers mind

-           Clean all surfaces, especially grout.

-           De-clutter cabinets making them look as large as possible. Consider buying organizers to hide personal products.

-           Replace old faucets and fixtures. This can be a relatively inexpensive way to update the room.

-           Always neutralize bathroom smells before a buyer arrives.

-           Add coordinating towels and bathmats to detract from dated counter tops and tile.

-           Replace light bulbs to brighten the sink area.

 

Bedrooms: Should be uncluttered and relaxing

-           Organize the bedroom by arranging furniture in a way that makes the room seem comfortable and spacious. Remove unnecessary furniture items and store them in a storage unit.

-           Make the bed look like it is in a hotel. Linens should be coordinating and clean.

-           Remove pictures and personal items.

-           Store unnecessary closet items to make closets appear as large as possible. Make sure closets have plenty of light.

-           Consider repainting the room to a neutral tone if the color is bright.

 

Staging a home may be one of the most important things a seller can do for their home. Following the staging tips above can help ease the stress of selling a Westfield, New Jersey home, increase the homes’ value, and shorten the time on the market.

Related posts:

1. Winter Home-Staging Your Westfield, New Jersey Home Author: Peter Jordan   As our favorite flowers get buried under the snow and the shrubs shed their greenery, it...
2. Home Staging Requires Professional Skills Let’s face it – a person’s home is probably the most valuable asset in their portfolio. People who are considering...
3. Home Staging Use a Professional Stager With housing prices flailing and funding so hard to come by marketing and selling a home isn’t as easy as...
4. Colorizing Your Westfield, New Jersey Home For Sale One of the most important factors in selling a Westfield New Jersey home involves the overall condition of the paint...
5. How to Really Declutter Your Westfield, New Jersey Home for Buyers Peter Jordan:            Your real estate agent has come to your house to assess what needs to be done to sell...
6. Home Staging Increases House Appeal Staging homes for sale has become a very big business.  With declining home prices and tightened financing – home sellers...
7. Home Staging Services Take Advantage When a home owner gets ready to sell his home, there a few things that he can actually do to...
8. Professional Home Staging How to Do It In order to peruse a career in professional home staging, it is a must that the person has both interior...
9. Sell Your Westfield New Jersey Home For More Author: Peter Jordan When you’re selling, home price is everything. Your goal is to maximize the amount you get for...
10. Staging a House What You Need to Know Staging a house or not can mean the difference in how long it will take to sell your home. The...