Selling Steps 13-14: Decluttering, Staging, & What Stays
STEP 13
Once all of the paperwork is complete, we’ll walk through your home room by room with you to create a comprehensive list of items that need to be decluttered and furniture that needs to be moved or put in storage. Together we’ll determine whether we need to bring in a professional stager to stage either certain rooms or the entire property. Unless the property is vacant, we usually don’t need a stager. If your home is vacant and we determine a stager is right for your situation, we’ll provide several companies for you to interview. Once you’ve picked a stager, you would pay the staging company directly for their services.
See our article “81+ Staging Tips that help Buyers Fall In Love.” Remember, we’ll create a personalized list just for your home. Once the staging/decluttering is done, let us know so we can schedule an appointment with our top-notch professional photographer for your home.
Home Staging That Delivered Big Results
Great design helped to bring about quicker sales that surged high above list prices.
Home staging can show a home in its best light and attract more home buyers—and possibly bidding wars. Several of last month’s “Best of the Best” home staging winners showed what a difference staging can make. Each month, the Home Staging Resource recognizes top designs from its members. Check out some of the designs featured recently on the Styled, Staged & Sold blog as well as more of October’s honorees below.
Budget-Friendly Updates
Addie Ashworth, a sales associate at Coldwell Banker Realty in Columbus, Ohio, and owner of Ashworth Staging + Design took on a listing that her client inherited from his father. “Nothing had been updated in years, and everything was original,” Ashworth says. “The seller did not want to spend a lot of money on updates.”
Ashworth suggested low-cost fixes with a big impact, such as removing the dated carpet to expose the original hardwood floors underneath. The entire house was painted in “Agreeable Grey” by Sherwin-Williams. Some of the kitchen cabinet doors were starting to fall off, so Ashworth recommended removing them and adding baskets. Everything in the kitchen was painted white, and the aging linoleum floor was swapped out for luxury vinyl planks. Ashworth also brought in modern furnishings, staging the home with a midcentury vibe to compliment the 1958 ranch-style home.
The property had more than 270 showings and 43 offers—all above list price. The seller accepted a cash offer with no contingencies for $165,000 over the asking price. The home closed in five days.
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Photos courtesy: Addie Ashworth, Ashworth Staging + Design
Toning Down an Artsy Interior
Jodi Kelly of Kelly Home Designs, LLC in Ridgewood, N.J., toned down the artsy vibe in this two-bedroom home in Midland Park, N.J. “The homeowner had an artistic personality, and it reflected in her décor, which was very colorful and fun but would not have appealed to many buyers,” Kelly says. The house also appeared very dark inside. Kelly neutralized and lightened up the interior by repurposing the homeowner’s belongings. Kelly removed wallpaper in the dining room, switched out area rugs, adjusted some of the furniture, and added in a few accessories. The home was listed for $549,000 and had multiple offers over list price within two days. The house ended up selling for $30,000 above asking price.
Photos courtesy Jodi Kelly, Kelly Home Designs, LLC
Brightening the Look
Megan Bond of Complete Transitions: Home Staging & Design, which serves several Pennsylvania and Delaware counties, staged this house that sold in a few days for more than $100,000 above asking price. “The client asked to keep our staging in place until after the appraiser went through,” Bond says. “We knew the staging shouldn’t have any impact on the appraisal, but we were flattered that the client thought our staging showed the house in its best light. “
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Photos courtesy Megan Bond, Complete Transitions
A Quick Refresh
Laura Jones of Cozy Curated Home in the Denver area recently completed a partial stage of a three-bedroom, three-bath home that had been lingering on the market. “The home was being occupied by the sellers and lacked an emotional connection for target buyers,” Jones says. “It had challenges and needed improvements, but the sellers needed to sell quickly and did not have the luxury of completing upgrades before listing.” Jones recommended a partial stage using the homeowners’ existing belongings but new smaller items, like artwork, pillows, rugs, and accessories. “The home was staged quickly, new photos were taken, and within 24 hours of the photos being published on the MLS, the home was under contract,” Jones says.
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Photos courtesy: Laura Jones, Cozy Curated Home
By: Audra Slinkey, president and founder of the Home Staging Resource, a home staging, and redesign certification training company. November 15, 2021
Questions? Contact us at andi@andidyer(dot)com or 360-734-6479.
Step 14
Selling your home is a significant milestone that can be both exciting and overwhelming. Navigating the complex process of selling real estate requires careful planning, expert guidance, and a clear understanding of each step involved. To empower you on this journey, we present "ANDI'S GUIDE TO SELLING YOUR HOME," a resource designed to provide you with insights, tips, and strategies to ensure a successful and seamless selling experience. Each step provides a brief overview of what you can expect during the process.
However, to access the full guide that delves deep into these steps, offering detailed information, expert advice, and practical strategies, we invite you to contact us directly.
Introduction: Preparing for a Successful Home Sale
Selling your home is not just about putting a "For Sale" sign in your yard. It's a multifaceted process that involves thorough preparation, effective marketing, and skillful negotiation. Whether you're a first-time seller or have been through the process before, our guide is tailored to meet your needs and equip you with the knowledge required to make informed decisions.
Unlocking the Path Ahead: A Glance at Each Step
The world of selling real estate is multifaceted, and our guide is your compass, guiding you through each twist and turn with confidence. Feel free to delve into the full spectrum of insights, wisdom, and guidance offered within "ANDI'S GUIDE TO SELLING YOUR HOME" by connecting with us directly. Below, we offer a glimpse into this journey, but bear in mind that the full guide delves far deeper, providing in-depth information, expert counsel, and tangible tactics for every stage. We welcome you to connect with us directly to access the complete treasure trove.
Now, let's take a glimpse at the steps involved: Getting Started:
1.
Find the Perfect REALTOR®:
Begin by finding a trusted REALTOR® who suits your needs.
2. Choose the Best Service: Compare services and select the best REALTOR® for you.
3.
Understanding the Process: Learn about the escrow process and what to expect.
4.
My Role in the Process: Understand the support I provide throughout the sale.
5. Prepare for Success: Get ready to work with us by completing your homework.
Selling Preparation:
6. Easy Electronic Signing:
Sign documents easily with Authentisign's electronic signing.
7. Listing Agreements and More: Learn about important agreements and disclosures.
8. Zillow Accuracy: Understand Zillow's accuracy in estimating home values.
9. Zestimates Demystified:
Learn about Zillow's "Zestimates" and their limitations.
10. Handling Zillow Conflicts:
Address potential conflicts over Zillow home prices.
ll. Claiming Your Home: Learn why and how to claim your property online.
12. Harness Social Media: Use social media for self-promotion and property visibility.
Preparing Your Home:
13. Declutter and Stage:
Get your home ready by decluttering and staging it.
14.
What Stays with Your Home:
Understand what fixtures and items stay with the house.
15. Address Repairs: Make necessary repairs before listing your home.
16. Home Staging Tips: Discover over 81 staging tips that attract buyers.
17. Thorough Cleaning: Ensure your home shines with a deep clean.
18. Use ShowingTime: Learn about the mobile opp for managing showings.
Navigating the Selling Process:
19. Homeownership Terms: Understand important homeownership terms.
20. Showing Best Practices: Follow these tips for successful showings.
21. Expected Seller Events: Prepare for common occurrences during the process.
22. Protecting Your Property: Set up a Google Alert to safeguard your property's online presence.
23.
Your Listing Goes Live: Understand what happens once your property is listed.
24. Receiving Offers: Prepare for the possibility of receiving offers.
25.
First Week on the Market: What to expect during the initial week of listing.
26. Your Listing on Zillow: Learn about putting your listing on Zillow.
27. Offer Received: Understand the significance of receiving an offer.
28.
Mutual Acceptance: What to anticipate during the mutual acceptance phase.
29. Home Inspection: Navigate the home inspection process.
30.
Appraisal Process: Learn about the home appraisal and its significance.
31.
Dealing with Low Appraisals:
Understand your options if the appraisal is low.
32. Set Closing Date: Prepare for the closing by scheduling it.
33.
Beware of Fraud:
Protect yourself from wire fraud during the transaction.
34. Moving and Packing: Hire movers and start packing your belongings.
35. Utility End Dates: Schedule the end of your utility services.
36.
Insurance Updates:
Cancel or transfer your homeowners insurance as needed.
37. Cleaning Guidelines: Understand cleaning expectations before closing.
38.
Final Walkthrough: Know what to expect during the final walkthrough.
39. Mortgage Approval: Prepare for mortgage approval and finalization.
40. Closing Essentials: Key information about the closing process.
41. Closing Costs: What are you expected to bring to the table?
42. Thank You: Wrapping up the selling process with gratitude.
Selling your home involves many steps, but with this guide, you'll be well prepared to navigate the process smoothly.
Please Note: The above list is a summarized overview of the steps involved in selling your home. Each step provides a glimpse into what you can expect during the process. However, to access the full and comprehensive guide that covers these steps in detail and offers valuable insights, tips, and guidance, feel free to contact me directly. I'll be more than happy to provide you with the complete guide to ensure you have all the information you need to successfully navigate the journey of selling your home. Don't hesitate to reach out, and I'll be here to assist you every step of the way.
Questions? Contact us at andi@andidyer(dot)com or 360-734-6479.
