 Posted 12/18/2006 12:16:02 PM
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I really think staging the house so it feels lived in but roomy is absolutely critical.
I received many compliments on the "presentation" of the house from buyers and real estate agents.
We spent about two weeks prior to listing the house staging it, doing everything from putting 20% of our belongings in a storage unit to paint touch ups to yard work. Our house showed very well, as a result, since it was spotless, not cluttered at all and well lit.
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Posted 5/4/2007 11:34:44 AM
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I uploaded a link to my FSBO website that has the photos of the house on it to a home buying and selling web forum and got critques from the members of the forum. www.gardenweb.com
It was a tremendous help. Because of that we did a lot of stuff that our realtors had told us was not necessary. "Home staging" via the internet. It was helpful to see your house through strangers eyes. I ended up with more traffic through the house and from that point forward not a single criticism that the house was "dated".
All of the cabinents in the house were this brown natural wood. After the forum I figured out that "dated" meant they didn't really like the dark cabinets. So I painted all of them. I also painted the sun room which was a natural cedar. The light paint made a huge difference. I can remember asking the agents after every "dated" comment if I should paint the wood and they would say no. Glad I didn't listen to them.
All we did in the master bath is paint the vanity cabinets a coffee color and go to Target to get new hardware. We painted all the other cabinets a nice creamy color and put on new hardware. That's it. We had already taken down wallpaper, painted the walls and put in new faucets.
It was the painted cabinets that made all the difference.
Something so easy should have been the first thing out of the real estate agents mouths. But instead we listed with agents twice (over 9 months) and both times, they said not to paint anything. And these were "top" agents in the area. I think this house would have sold a long time ago, except for that. OK not really, the real estate agents were mostly counting on the MLS to do their work.
It was not an easy experience to expose our home to a bunch of strangers on line - it went from friendly helpful suggestions to some pretty downright nasty people. But if you can weather the down right nasty useless people you truly get a look at what strangers think about your house. Like a focus group.
OWNERS.COM NOTE: If you would like your fellow forum members to provide suggestions on how best to present your home, simply post your property listing ID so they can review your listing.
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Posted 7/25/2007 7:07:24 PM
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| Paint is inexpensive and the easiest way to freshen up a home. Not all sellers are willing to paint a home they're moving out of, but if you're looking to spruce up, paint is an inexpensive and showy way to go, gives you a lot of decorator bang for your cents. But please go with a neutral color-- white, off white, neutral yellows are great...and do go with something more than a flat, at least an eggshell or a satin in the kitchen and bathrooms, the extra sheen adds a lot Other things to consider--bath mats: are they worn or dirty--throw them out, welcome mat--the first impression, is it nice looking? Are the plants out front dead, do they need water, weeding? Is the walking path to the house clear of weeds and overgrowth? Cleveland area sellers are welcome to contact me for more suggestions: Elisa R. Eliasoph, Bicaci-Tabor Realty, LLC 216-466-1640-- full service for as little as 2%, no up front costs.
Elisa Eliasoph
Realtor
Bicaci-Tabor Realty LLC
216 466-1640
Elisa320@sbcglobal.net
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Posted 5/23/2008 9:06:20 AM
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Paint is the cheapest remodel you'll ever do. A coat of paint can totally change a feel of a home. It is definitely worth the time and money.
Dave Mason
DebtFreeDave
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