Have You Heard of Digital Staging? It Might Be Right For You!

Many homeowners have heard of  various types of staging.  At its most basic level, it means sprucing up your home  with decor, new paint, and removal of excess items. 

The next level is a hybrid where the homeowner institutes a few of the  aforementioned basics, and  hires a stager for a room or two. 

 Yet another level is when a home stager is hired to show the home in its best light. That's wonderful, but it can get very costly.

The most cost efficient way  is to virtually stage a home, and that means having furniture photoshopped into the  home,  or items removed  from rooms where you have  excess furniture.

And no, it doesn't look fake if it's done right.  Here's a real world example:

Five Big Turnoffs for Homebuyers

Getting the price you want for your home  has a lot to do with condition as well as price, and marketing.

Buyers get turned off on homes for various reasons. If you have the power and wherewithal to make sure your home shows as well as it could, you should absolutely address whatever  your agent thinks is needed.

Remember, your agent can't get you the price you want unless your home is in pristine move-in condition, or priced accordingly for the market if it's not.

That means no sticking drawers in the kitchen. No leaning fences. No rust-stained plumbing fixtures. We could go on, but maybe we need to make it clear. If you have even one of following "turn-offs," your home won't sell or it will take longer to sell, and most likely at a lower price.

Buyers can get instantly turned off. Here are their five biggest turn-offs:

    Overpriced for the market
    Smells
    Clutter
    Deferred maintenance
    Dark, dated décor

Overpricing your home

Overpricing your home is like trying to crash the country club without a membership. You'll be found out and escorted out.

If you ignored your agent's advice and listed at a higher price than recommended, you're going to get some negative feedback from buyers. The worst feedback, of course, is silence. That could include no showings and no offers.

The problem with overpricing your home is that the buyers who are qualified to buy your home won't see it because they're shopping in a lower price range. The buyers who do it will quickly realize that there are other homes in the same price range that offer more value.

Smells

Smells can come from a number of sources - pets, lack of cleanliness, stale air, water damage, and much more. You may not even notice it, but your real estate agent may have hinted to you that something needs to be done.

There's not a buyer in the world that will buy a home that smells unless they're investors looking for a bargain. Even so, they'll get a forensic inspection to find out the source of the smells. If they find anything like undisclosed water damage, or pet urine under the "new" carpet, then they will either severely discount their offer or walk away.

Clutter

If your tables are full to the edges with photos, figurines, mail, and drinking glasses, buyers' attention is going to more focused on running the gauntlet of your living room without breaking any Hummels than in considering your home for purchase.

Too much furniture confuses the eye - it makes it really difficult for buyers to see the proportions of rooms. If they can't see what they need to know, they move on to the next home.

Deferred maintenance

Deferred maintenance is a polite euphemism for letting your home fall apart. Just like people age due to the effects of the sun, wind and gravity, so do structures like your home. Things wear out, break and weather, and it's your job as a homeowner to keep your home repaired.

Your buyers really want a home that's been well-maintained. They don't want to wonder what needs to fixed next or how much it will cost.

Dated décor

The reason people are looking at your home instead of buying brand new is because of cost and location. They want your neighborhood, but that doesn't mean they want a dated-looking home. Just like they want a home in good repair, they want a home that looks updated, even if it's from a different era.

Harvest gold and avocado green from the seventies; soft blues and mauves from the eighties, jewel tones from the nineties, and onyx and pewter from the oughts are all colorways that can date your home. Textures like popcorn ceilings, shag or berber carpet, and flocked wallpaper can also date your home.

When you're behind the times, buyers don't want to join you. They want to be perceived as savvy and cool.

In conclusion, the market is a brutal mirror. If you're guilty of not putting money into your home because you believe it's an investment that others should pay you to profit, you're in for a rude awakening. You'll be stuck with an asset that isn't selling.

Written by Blanche Evans

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.JudySzablakRealtor.com

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com      www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

and www.BestWestportHomes.com

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Top Twelve Questions Answered For CT Home Sellers

If you have sold a home at one point in your lifetime, you already know that the process is a complex transaction that requires a number of individuals to work together to produce a favorable end result. If it's your first time selling a home, you are bound to have a number of questions about the process, just as you probably had when you were buying.

What is the difference between a CMA and an appraisal?

A REALTOR performs a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis),  which includes data  that compares a variety of active listings, pending listings  and sold listings within the past six months in order to arrive at a price range. An Appraiser performs much the same research as an agent, however he/she is also required to use a standardized form, which holds more information than most CMA's. See this article on CMA's and Appraisals.

Should I include negotiating room in the list price?

Your market analysis should be very clear as to what the sales price to list price averages are for your home, your neighborhood and your area. When an agent arrives at a price range, whatever negotiating room there is or isn't is included in that number. Adding " a little play" only makes your home appear to be overpriced as it will be in a different price range of homes that offer more value for the money than yours. As a result, your home cannot compete with a higher range properties, will appear overpriced, and make it that much harder to attract an offer.

When is the best time to sell my house?

The best time to sell is when you are ready, or when you must sell for one reason or another. Property sells throughout the year, and market time and saleability is mostly a function of supply and demand. The time of year you choose to sell can make a difference in the amount of time it takes and the final selling price.  The spring market begins in late January and continues through May. There is another surge in activity in September and October.  Timing is strategic and you may just be better off listing your home when the competition is not so fierce as it is in the spring market. Just something to consider.

Should I sell my home first or wait until I find another home?

The answer truly depends on your personal situation, as well as the condition of the local housing market, as there are advantages and disadvantages to each. If you  sell first, you maximize your negotiating position, and eliminate any need or possibilty of carrying two mortgages at once. A good safeguard to minimizing stress is to include a delayed closing contingency clause in your contract so that you can find another home with little or no pressure.

If you make an offer to buy a home without having your home under deposit first, you may be tempted to sell your existing home quickly, even at a lower price. If you are currently in a "buyers market", the odds of selling your home in time  to purchase the new one are not that favorable, and you may end up being disappointed. The only advantage of buying first is you can shop carefully for the right home and feel comfortable with your decision before putting your current home on the market.

How do I get my home to sell faster?

There are number of reasons why your home  will sell faster than others.  The most important factors are condition and price. Your home will sell most quickly when it has been well maintained and priced competitively to other houses selling in the area,  and is in a healthy real estate market.

Does my home need to be staged, and if so, how much does it cost?

Staging your home for sale is in effect, presenting an enhanced image of your home to attract more buyers. Most experts agree that the main living areas sell a home, so it is important to focus on your  living room, dining room, and family room, as well as any room that the future homeowner may find difficult to furnish or decorate.

Each home is different but basic staging principles are the same for all. Very few homes need to be staged to any extreme whereas a professional (and paid) stager is necessary. A good agent will tell you what needs to be done in order to effect a sale. The quick advice on staging?  De-clutter, de-personalize, distract any negatives, and neutralize your home with your agent's guidance. Also, see my article for Hearst CT Media on different types of staging.

What if I get a better offer after I’ve already accepted one? –

If you have signed a purchase contract accepting an offer, you are bound by its terms.  If the buyer defaults on one contingency, doesn’t follow through properly, or tries to renegotiate, you may have your way out. You can always ask the buyer if they would agree to walk away, or pay them to step away. Speak with your attorney as to the ways in which the contract can be legally cancelled so that you may accept another offer. See this helpful article on changing your mind after an offer has been accepted.

What are the most common contingencies in a purchase agreement?

A contingency is a stipulation to an agreement. Sales contracts typically contain several "contingency" clauses, or stipulations that the sale is subject to. The two most common contingencies are for financing- that is where the home purchase is contingent upon whether or not the buyer can secure a loan from a lender, and an Inspection Contingency, where the buyer has the right to have the property inspected for any problems that are unknown, or may have not been disclosed. If significant issues arise, the purchase offer could be rescinded or renegotiated.

Do I need to make repairs in order to sell my home? 

Sometimes a buyer might request a repair in their initial offer. More often than not, buyers may request repairs based upon the outcome of the building inspection.  Remember, this is all part of negotiating. just like the purchase price  Sometimes the lender will require some repairs in order for the buyer to obtain loan approval, but you can still negotiate who pays for them.    

Do I need to hire an agent?  

The overwhelming majority of home sellers hire REALTOR’s to list and sell their homes. Those who do not are known as For Sale By Owners, or FSBOs (pronounced FizzBo's). They market, negotiate, and sell their homes without agent assistance. Although there are a small number of  successful FSBO's, most of those sales are to family members or friends. Especially in a buyers market,  it is not the right route to go, considering all of the access agents have to whatever buyers are out there, and have knowledge of the legal ramifications for non-disclosure, misrepresentation, and the like. Ultimately, most FSBOs eventually hire an agent because the agent will handle all the details and minutia that a successful home sale requires – including the contract, forms, and disclosure statements – and expose the home to the widest range of prospective buyers through the local Multiple Listing Service  and the most visited national home search sites. If you are thinking of selling, please contact me. I would love to help you.

Is the commission negotiable?

Yes. Commissions are negotiable by law, and can vary depending on service, customer needs, and company policy. In general, agents charge between 4 percent and 8 percent for full service.

What costs are incurred when selling my home, and when are they due?

Paid at closing from proceeds are the real estate commission, (if you hire an agency to sell). Transfer  tax for the sale to the town and state, and prorated costs for your share of annual expenses, such as property taxes, homeowner association fees, utilties

Payable  prior to your home's sale and durring the process are advertising costs, marketing materials, and other fees if you sell the home yourself, repairs- if any are needed in order to effect a sale, and initial attorney's fees  and/or other professionals as needed.

One thing for sure, the more experienced the agent, the smoother the transaction is going to be.  With 27 years  of experience, I have assisted home sellers in the most difficult of markets, and with  the most difficult of buyers on the other side. No one likes to think about any of the negativity that can occur during such an emotional transaction. Be prepared for the bizarre to happen, because  it does more frequently than you can imagine. When you are ready to sell your home, you deserve the best representation available to you, so just contact me when you're ready. I'm up for all kinds of challenges, so bring it on if you have it!

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Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Remodeling or Renovating While Your CT Home is On The Market

Sometimes, circumstances dictate that remodeling, removation, and/or minor alterations or repairs have to occur while your home is on the market.

This can be tricky, however, depending on what kind of construction is  taking place.

First, it is important to be crystal clear in the marketing of your home while thsi is taking place, so that agents and buyers alike know and understand that work is taking place.

Big repair jobs are better with no interruptions, and sometimes its  better to withdraw your home for sale for just a short time.

On the other hand, some buyers like to see the work in progress, and actually seeing work that is taking place can create a sense of urgency for teh buyer, especially, if they would like to tweak the renovations to better suit their taste.

Small renovations and minor repairs/remodels can be considered a big plus to see throughout the process, so keep your home on the market during this time if it makes sense to you.

HINT: Remember to take before, during and after pictures.

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Are You Smelling Your Home, or Are You Selling it?

When you have been living in your home for as long as most people do before they put it on the market,  sometimes a homes odors can go unnoticed as you just may have become acclimated to them, however minimal they may be.

And no, not all homes have odors, but the ones that do tend to languish on the market, and tend to sell for less money, as the buyer (in his/her mind) is about to purchase something of an unknown entity- that is, whether or not the odor will go away, and how long will it take?

So paying attention to the "sense" in staging goes a long Way to sell your home. In other words, improving your home's "scents" is a  key element.

The two biggest offenders are pet smells and/or smoking odors, which can permeate the carpets, walls and furniture.

No one says that you have to break the bank to get your home ready for sale. One thing that you do have to realize is that those first impressions by the buyer's senses are simply HUGE, and will have a very strong determining factor in whether or not a prospective buyer will have interest in making your home theirs. And that's the point, right?

Sometimes, it's as little as ripping out a few carpets and painting the walls to give a home a fresh look... and a fresh smell. Check out this article on effective methods of handling odors in your home.

Rely on your professional  and experienced Fairfield County Connecticut Realtor (that's me) to let you know if it makes "sense" to be addressed.

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY