As Professional Home Stagers, we consult daily with home sellers preparing to put their homes on the market.
These houses are the special places to each of them – they’ve raised their families, collected precious memories or perhaps done some updates or improvements that should increase the home’s market value. It should come to no surprise to home sellers that the competition for getting a good offer is tough – but what continues to surprise me is that sellers are willing to go on the market without being prepared to get a good offer!
What? Seems unlikely? We’re all prejudiced that our homes will sell for more money and look better than they actually appear to potential home buyers. Here are a few choice situations I’ve had this week:
Case #1 Wallpaper in nearly every room, lack of curb appeal and worn carpet – this home seller tells me “Yes, I know it’s a competitive market but the new buyer will just have to do these items themselves. I’ve already worked too hard to get my house ready to sell and don’t want to do any more”. (Guess what – no one else wants to do it either and in 90 days when you’ve had three price reductions you will be doing it and wishing you had earlier!)
Case #2 – “I’m going to price it about $25,000 more than my agent recommends because then it gives us room to come down. “
Now I’m a home stager and avoid pricing discussions that should be left between the real estate agent and home seller, but my jaw dropped when I heard this last week in Salem Oregon. No the market is not hot, the house wasn’t in pristine condition and if they follow their recipe for success, they are headed for a huge disappointment.
I came across this video recently and it says it all!
It’s all about condition and pricing and getting your home IN the market. In the center of where buyers will be compelled to make an offer. The market is slow in Oregon you say? Yes – it’s slower, but houses ARE still selling. This past week we have been busy busy removing staging from properties – priced from $200,000 to $800,000 — not because they are going off the market, but because they are SOLD.
Get IN the market and make sure your home attracts the attention of the buyers!
Margaret Oscilia, RESA-PRO, and partner of Creative Concepts and Contracting provides staging consultations, occupied and vacant home staging and other home selling services for Salem, Corvallis, Albany and other Oregon cities. Create an atmosphere people LOVE to come home to! Whether you’re moving or improving Creative Concepts and Contracting has the expertise to showcase your home’s full potential, stretch your budget, and maximize your time.
Professional Home Staging – Reliable Contractor Repairs – Beautiful Results!
