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Replies (9)
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2731
I assume you know the answer to that..............you can always take a few before and after photos, or find them online, and show him the huge difference it makes
- Jeanne Feenick, "TopNJAgent"
- Contributions:149
...I would add to Debbie's response that you can share sales data on homes that are prepared well through decluttering, cleaning and staging and those that are not.
- Barbara Grandolfo, "Barbara Grandolfo"
- Contributions:26
Personally, I believe it is very important. You only have one chance to make a good first impression. If you have shared Jeanne and Debbie's advice with your sellers and they are still resistent, I would take them to see the competition and then make a few recommendations on how to declutter their home.
Also, remind your sellers of the old saying, "if you can't see it, you can't sell it"! Buyers need to see the house, not the sellers' furniture and personal items.
Best of luck!
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26826
From a consumer's perspective, there are a couple of additional points to bring up related to decluttering:
1. It gives a head start on packing. Perhaps the agent could work out a deal with a local storage place and hand out coupons for discounted storage for a couple of months and discounts on boxes. (My best agent brought me dozens of official packing boxes and packing paper for no extra charge)
2. It helps protect the decorative items the owner loves from petty thievery of those who are looking.
1. It gives a head start on packing. Perhaps the agent could work out a deal with a local storage place and hand out coupons for discounted storage for a couple of months and discounts on boxes. (My best agent brought me dozens of official packing boxes and packing paper for no extra charge)
2. It helps protect the decorative items the owner loves from petty thievery of those who are looking.
- Mack McCoy
- Contributions:1116
It's important.
If they don't get it right away, I find I have some success discussing with them how the home might be presented in its best light - then, if necessary, here are my stories / charts / data / photos / warnings / police reports / insurance claims(!).
As an Accredited Staging Professional who doesn't have his own staging company, I throw my credential at them and suggest "soft-stagers" who can help them move things around, and home organizers who can get things "pre-packed!"
If they don't get it right away, I find I have some success discussing with them how the home might be presented in its best light - then, if necessary, here are my stories / charts / data / photos / warnings / police reports / insurance claims(!).
As an Accredited Staging Professional who doesn't have his own staging company, I throw my credential at them and suggest "soft-stagers" who can help them move things around, and home organizers who can get things "pre-packed!"
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2731
rereading the posts here made me think of a one liner I read a while ago...
"If they smell it, you can't sell it"!
:)
Seriously........staging is more than just a visual improvement.........if the house has noticeable odors - ie: pet smells, litter box odors, cooking odors.......smoking odors..........or even a musty odor in the basement - it's just as important to deal with those issues as it is to pack up and remove those piles of treasured items!
"If they smell it, you can't sell it"!
:)
Seriously........staging is more than just a visual improvement.........if the house has noticeable odors - ie: pet smells, litter box odors, cooking odors.......smoking odors..........or even a musty odor in the basement - it's just as important to deal with those issues as it is to pack up and remove those piles of treasured items!
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26826
"If they smell it, you can't sell it"
IMHO, That goes beyond pet odors, cigarettes, musty odors etc and includes scented products, fabreeze, potpourri, drier sheets, perfume, air freshener, scented candles etc etc.
IMHO, That goes beyond pet odors, cigarettes, musty odors etc and includes scented products, fabreeze, potpourri, drier sheets, perfume, air freshener, scented candles etc etc.
- Kristin Stone, "HomeHappyKristin"
- Contributions:17
I believe it is critical. I usually share before and after photos and ask potential sellers which one they consider more appealing. I tell them that most buyers would respond similarly and remind them that you only get one chance to make a great first impression. It is well worth the effort to take the time to get the house in market ready condition looking sharp and odor free.
I impart to my sellers that our goal is to get their home to model home condition as much as possible. This involves removing personal items and clutter, painting, refreshing and staging. Staging often involves removing over or under sized furniture which does not enhance the saleability of the home. The end result is a market ready home which fares well in the market.
Buyers should not be met with a malodorous home nor a cover up odor. Ventilating the rooms by opening the windows or using an air purifier are much better solutions.
I impart to my sellers that our goal is to get their home to model home condition as much as possible. This involves removing personal items and clutter, painting, refreshing and staging. Staging often involves removing over or under sized furniture which does not enhance the saleability of the home. The end result is a market ready home which fares well in the market.
Buyers should not be met with a malodorous home nor a cover up odor. Ventilating the rooms by opening the windows or using an air purifier are much better solutions.
- Sandra Cusick, "Sandra Cusick"
- Contributions:6
By removing personal items, buyers will have an easier time seeing themselves and their belongings in the home. Also, I've witnessed buyers get sidetracked by unusual possessions that are in the house and that takes away from why they are there. You want the buyer to see through "the stuff" and see the house. Neutral items are good for light staging.
How important is making a seller understand that less is more with personal items and furnishings?
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- 5.0/5.0
- (8 reviews)
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