The Purse or a Pocket Rule - Staging Your House

I was recently doing a walk through on a potential listing.  The owners had a wonderful collection of little statues in a specific theme.  These were located on coffee tables, end tables in the living and family rooms.  I thought they were delightful but was worried on the owners’ behalf that these would be too tempting for Buyer visitors, especially when they bring children. 

In trying to convince the owners to pack these and all little ornaments and souvenirs, I said “Don’t leave anything out and available that could fit in a purse or pocket.”  It is not that the people house hunting are thieves.  In fact, so few things are stolen that one forgets that this could happen.  But…..  there is always a first time and no home owner wants this to happen to them.  

I also advise clients to put away anything of extreme value (vases, paintings, etc).  Buyers like to touch things and why risk damage to your valuables. 

My clients asked if I would follow every visitor during an Open House.  It is not possible to do this.  When more than one visitor arrives, it is better to be centrally located.  Often, visitors roam freely while agents locate themselves near the only exit.  It would be impossible to miss a TV going out the door but I have never heard of a purse being inspected or a pocket being turned inside out.

Why risk it?  Pack up your worries.

Photo credit:  My sister’s S&P Shaker Collection @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/randysonofrobert/2758366145/

Dining Room Lighting - 3 Reasons to Change or Upgrade - Staging Your Home

Almost every house that I have taken Buyers to see has had some type of lighting fixture in the diningroom  Every Buyer has inspected the light fixture to determine how much they love it.  Knowing this, if you are putting your house on the market there are three reasons for upgrading and/or changing the dining room light fixture. 

The first reason is because you have a sentimental attachment to the current fixture and want to take it with you.  If so, take it down before the house goes on the market and replace is with something suitable for the home and the price you are asking. 

The second reason to upgrade the fixture is because the one you have now is old, dated and unsuitable for current design.  Go to a lighting store and see what is in style.  Find one within your budget. 

Finally, there are some newer homes where owners have never installed a light fixture.  There is a metal plate in the ceiling covering the opening for the installation.  If you have one of these, please find a nice new fixture and install it before putting your house on the market. 

There is almost nothing worse than a bad fixture except no fixture or the promise by the owner (through exclusions) that the one in the house will be removed before possession.  Good style does not have to cost a fortune. 

Photo credit:  dining room grandma’s light fixture @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/eponabri/2249768758/

When ratty looks tatty - Give it the slip

We all know that home Buyers are buying the house, not the contents.  However, Buyers are influenced by how the house is decorated.  It gives a message about lifestyle and care and attention.  If you have a couch that is beyond redemption but getting it re-upholstered  would be cost prohibitive, you have three choices:

How a house is staged with good pieces will influence how a Buyer will value the home. 

Photo credit:  i think i found it @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/themacinator/4015348619/

Selling and Decluttering - The Inside of the Fridge

As you get closer to putting your house on the market, take some time to declutter the inside of the fridge.  We all seem to keep condiments that have expired sometimes 2 - 3 years ago.  There may be onions that are sprouting in the crisper and leaking sauce bottles at the back of the top shelf.  In most cases, the fridge is left in the house.  Buyers will want to know the condition of the fridge and will open the door to inspect the contents/capacity/condition of the appliance. 

If you are moving with a company, it is unlikely that they will allow perishable foods.  When cleaning your fridge start to think of what you need to consume now, toss or give away before you pack to leave. 

This is a fussy job that should not be overlooked because Buyers will be looking inside the fridge. 

Photo credit:  Onion - May 3 @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabricio/3534037525/

What has been swept under the rug?

The expression “to sweep under the rug” means to hide something in the hopes that no one will notice.  For some Sellers what is being hidden under an area rug is a damaged hardwood floor.  Maybe there are stains, maybe the wood is cracked, maybe the last sanding on the hardwood took off the veneer and there are spots where no hardwood exists.  Another problem that happens in all homes with area rugs on hardwood is sun damage.  The wood under the rug, not exposed to the sun, will remain a true colour.  The wood exposed is likely a lot lighter in colour.  When Buyers are looking at homes with seemingly wonderful hardwood floors, be sure to check under the area rug to get an indication of the true nature of the floors or write in a condition in the offer to have the floors refinished if there are problems. 

I love this room in the “Beach House”.  See the great area rug.  If this was on the market, I would like to know if the condition of the wood under the rug is as wonderful as that seen at the edges.  When buying a house, get as much information before making an offer as is possible. 

Photo credit:  Beach House Living Room @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerryanndame/3776968872/

What a waste!

Everyone has garbage.  What you do with your garbage when your house is on the market is an issue.  It is obvious that the household garbage should be emptied into the trash cans outside each morning before leaving for work.  Even empty, large garbage cans are an eyesore.  It amazes me how many people think that leaving a huge trash / garbage can in the middle of the kitchen is okay.  Now, as we get closer to having to green bin the kitchen waste, there is an increased opportunity for some type of offending sight or smell. 

Don’t we all think that the garbage is under the sink?  Even if you need an industrial size garbage can for your large family, during the house marketing period, get in the habit of using only the bin under the sink. 

 Remove your large bin.  It will make your kitchen look bigger and cleaner. 

 Photo credit:  Close @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellysue/986904611/sizes/o/

Painting Makes All the Difference

If your house is looking a bit tired and dated, the quickest way to make it attractive to Buyers is to paint the principle rooms in a neutral but modern palate.  A quick trip to a paint store will be invaluable.  Find the cards that show the trends and use one that will complement your existing furniture and furnishings but still let the Buyers notice how updated the rooms look. If you need colour in the room, look for a big picture, pillows and some accessories. 

Two trends that seem to be less popular are feature walls and painting techniques such as rag rolling and other special touches.  Putting sand in the paint does not fool Buyers into thinking there are no issues with bad walls.  Finding the faux suede technique fun is still no reason to inflict it on Buyers. Combing through the paint to make it look like linen or denim just means more time sanding the walls when a Buyer sees himself trying to get rid of the technique.  Classy, plain painting in neutral colours - voila  - the vanilla flavour of painting.

If your baseboards and window frames are in good shape, it could take as little as a half day to edge and paint a room.  Remember, red is not as popular as it once was and it takes up to four coats to get the right intensity.  Avoid anything requiring more than two coats.  Use a tinted primer and that will speed up the process.  If you have a good edging brush, try goingg without tape.   If you cannot get a nice clean line, tape before you paint and it will safe you hours of touch up work. 

Finally, if you accidently put paint on the ceiling, immediately remove it.  I have seen too many houses with bad paint jobs and the roller marks on the ceiling is always the first sign of an amateur job.  

Photo credit:  Brushes at the ready @ flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/4121413457/in/set-72157606825074174/

Don’t be cheap - Making Offers on a House

Who does not want a bargain?  Also, who wants people to think that you paid too much for anything, including your house?  There is going to be a fine balance between paying the “right” amount for a house and paying too much.  Where is that point?

Ask your real estate agent for comparable information in the market area.  Ask for information on similar style houses and those that have just recently sold.  Take note of houses that were or are on the market for long periods of time.  Think that one of the issues for these houses is the price. 

If you develop a long list of things that you would change in the house (kitchen counters, bathrooms, flooring), do not expect the seller to agree with you that these are needed or that they influence the negotiations.  Rather, if there are issues that the house inspector found that will cause major expense, you may want to either walk from the deal or re-negotiate on the basis of these issues - roof repairs that were not visible from the street, foundation issues, etc.  If the problem was readily apparent to you when you first saw the house, such as a falling apart garage and fence, the Seller will expect that you to have already taken these into account with your initial offer. 

When putting in your offer, don’t be so cautious with your price that the Seller will be insulted and reject the offer.  Try to find a balance between what you would like to pay and what the Seller would like to get.  Art and Science.

Both under and over paying may leave “egg on your face”.

 Photo credit:  Eggs in perspective @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/3319673607/in/set-72157606825074174/

Selling and Decluttering - Kitchen Counter Tops

Perhaps you have learned to do all of your food preparation on the 18″ X 18″ bit of space not covered by stuff on your kitchen counter.  Living and cooking in your home is not the same as trying to sell your home.  If you have a real estate person coming in to do a market evaluation, start getting your house ready, before he or she arrives.  It may impact the list price.  Certainly, take time, before the first Buyer walks through you house, to open up the space on the counter.  Be merciless. This photo depicts how real people live.  When you are selling, no Buyer cares that you are a “real person”.  What the Buyer wants to see is him or herself living in the house.  So….

  1. Remove all the appliances - the exception may be a Kitchen-aid mixer in a decorative colour.
  2. Your coffee pot has got to be stored and never leave home with cold coffee in the pot on the counter.
  3. Put your dish rack away and certainly all of the dirty dishes.
  4. Put your paper towels and shrink wrap and storage bags in a drawer.
  5. Take your bucket of utensils and your knife rack and find a place in your cupboards.

Having removed almost all “working” gear from the counter, first scrub the counter until it shines and then stage it with an odd number of decorative pieces:   a colourful appliance, a vase of lemons, a small fruit bowl with fresh fruit, or three bottle of San Pellegrino water. 

It is not about your clutter but how you show it off. 

 Photo credit:  Cluttered kitchen corner @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/chasetheclouds/2832715068/

Selling and Decluttering - Bathrooms

 

The two most important rooms to feature when selling your home are the kitchen and bathroom.  Bathrooms can be the easiest and least expensive update and decluttering job. 

If you want to have a visual image, think of a spa bathroom - either calming beige/browns or clean pale blue/greens with white fixtures, baseboards and trim.  You want the Buyer to think of the bathroom as a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle. 

 In almost every bathroom (pre-sale) there are a myriad of personal things scattered around the room.  Before the house goes on the market, these have to be removed and replaced with a couple of simple, non-personal decorative items.  See the included picture - the focus is on the wall art - no toothbrushes or colourful toiletries to distract. 

 Here are a few guidelines to help you:

 Think Zen and the Art of Making Bathrooms Attractive

 Photo credit:  Our Bathroom @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparker/2304846284/

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