". . . we had multiple offers! The house is SOLD." --Michele, Ashton, Realtor
"The Realtor saw the staging and raised the asking price $12K. 2 days later--a full price contract!" --Charles Loughery, Home Seller
"Greetings to all Future Home Sellers,
I write this note as a helpful hint, a gentle push, or an absolute shove in the right direction. If you are getting ready to sell your house and you think you have a slam dunk, think again! Unless your house is an underpriced brand new model, you are in for a surprise.
For 1 year, our 5 bedroom, 3 bath house sat on a fairly saturated market. Yes, we prepared the house to show "well". Most personal items were removed and the clutter was eliminated. The extensive hardwood floors were refinished to a shine, new granite and stainless appliaces were installed in the kitchen, wallpaper was stripped, and paint was applied. Window cranks were repaired and door hardware was updated. The large laundry room became a "mud room", complete with beadboard and hooks. The bonus room over the three car garage and the full size basement were ready to greet potential buyers. Topping the whole project off was a new roof, partnered with a new driveway. OK, ready, set, go! . . . Nothing, nada, zip.
Three price reductions later, we were approached by Kim Dillon of Creative Eye Home Staging. Very diplomatically, she told us that we had a beautiful home and some lovely artwork and furniture, but the house wasn't being shown to its fullest potential. In other words, people couldn't see the possibilities that this house afforded. Chalk it up to a lack of imagination of the general public, they need to see a bed in a bedroom, a crib in a nursery, or a couple of chairs in front of a fireplace in order to picture themselves theres. Kim and her team spent a few days getting our house ready, placing items in locations we never would have thought of, but with obvious success. After the next open house, guess what? Offers to buy, and a SALE!
Believe me when I tell you that we thought our house was in tip-top shape when we initially listed it, and paying someone to come in and "stage" it was not even a consideration. If this is what you are thinking, you might just want to swallow your pride and invite Kim over to have a look. A new set of eyes, trained to see what a buyer is looking for, might just get your house SOLD!
Happily Relocated to Bethany Beach,
--Dr. Mark B. Brown/Rita M. Brown, Home Owners
"Since you Staged the house we have had multiple offers on the house. I wish we had found you earlier. We could have sold the house a lot sooner! Thanks again for all your help." --Paul Loftus, Realtor