Frequently
Asked
Questions…
Q. What is home "staging"
or
"real estate enhancement", and
what is its purpose?
A. "Staging" or home and property
enhancement is the art of creating
a welcoming and inviting living space…
drawing people in…so they feel comfortable and inspired…imagining
themselves living there.
The purpose is to Minimize the Negatives and Maximize
the Positives of the property…inside and out. This is accomplished
by being aware of all details…large and small…and then
knowing how and where to add or subtract accessories and furniture…utilize
color, texture and lighting…and improve traffic patterns in
order to make the home appear lighter, more spacious, brighter,
relatively neutral and yet inviting and homey.
Q. Why should I hire someone to "enhance"
my property when I already have books, videos and a realtor who
has made some suggestions?
A. Books, videos, pamphlets and general to-do lists are a good starting
point. They are, however, too generic for optimal enhancement. Your
property is unique and requires personalized attention and suggestions.
Because you live in the home, you are probably no longer consciously
aware of all the little details that need to be considered when
preparing your home to appeal to the broadest range of buyers. It
is almost impossible to be neutral about one's own living environment.
Therefore, it is necessary to know how buyers will perceive your
home and then make the changes needed for broader appeal.
Many realtors are good at making sellers aware of what is needed
and how best to do it…however, most realtors, even when they
know how, don't have the time to do the in-depth analysis and consultation
necessary to enhance the home and property for "maximum merchandising
and marketing" purposes.
Q. Why do I have to worry about all the little
things? Can't I do the major things and then just keep the house
picked up and clean? My home seems fine to me just as it is.
A. Of course you can and should do the major things…and keeping
the house clean is a must. Most buyers don't immediately want to
paint, change the carpet, redo the floors, or repair and stain the
fence, etc. They want a place that sparkles…a home they feel
is immediately livable (even if it is not exactly their taste) for
three to five years without any additional expense or hassle. Taking
care of the many "little" details completes the transformation
of your home…making it the very best it can be. People respond
positively to homes that look good, seem loved and are obviously
well cared for. Your goal is for buyers to be both impressed and
comfortable…who are able to imagine themselves living in your
"For Sale" property.
Your home is undoubtedly "fine" for you and your every
day living. You have it exactly the way you like it and feel comfortable
with the way things are. Now, however, you have to look at it and
experience it as a complete stranger would. That is what I mean
when I say that homeowners have a hard time being completely neutral
about their living spaces. When buyers come to look at your home
and property, it is the first impression that makes them want to
explore or not explore your home as a possibility for themselves.
Your home is a stage set or a three-dimensional painting…which
people either immediately like or not.
Q. Why should I spend the time and money doing
all the repairs and necessary upgrades when I may not re-coup my
investment? Why not just give a small allowance to the seller and
let them do it to their taste?
A. That works for the minority of buyers…those who can imagine
exactly how it will look when finished, like to be "in-charge"
of the changes, do a lot of the work themselves, or who want to
buy at a rock bottom price. Most buyers, however, aren't able to
imagine how the house will look when it is all spruced up, or may
just not want to be bothered with fixing up other people's "left
over" details. Buyers respond negatively or positively to what
they feel, see, smell and hear. More often than not, that is what
their decisions are based on. Owners of empty homes have an additional
problem…empty homes do not sell as well as furnished homes.
Developers of sub-divisions know this and that is why they spend
a great deal of money on good decorators, furniture and accessories
for their model homes…they understand the POWER of a home that
looks good, smells good and feels good.
Q. Do I need a decorator to completely "redo"
my home in order to sell it?
A. NO! Most homes do not need to be "redone" by a decorator.
Many beneficial and noticeable changes are made by…de-cluttering
all spaces (including the garage, basement, closets and attic)…the
addition and/or subtraction of accessories and furniture… enhanced
placement and use of the above…and better use of color and
improved traffic flow…all of which impact the overall ambiance
of the home. Existing accessories and furniture can often be used
in different ways, thereby changing the entire effect of a given
space. Or, if necessary, one can purchase inexpensive accessories
that will enhance the overall feeling of the home.
Q. Will I be able to increase the price of my
property if I make these suggested changes?
A. You may not be able to tack on the additional "enhancement"
expenses to the price of the house. Since the goal is to make a
home IRRESISTABLE to the broadest range of buyers…they really
are necessary expenses if you want to be competitive. It stands
to reason that if a house is the best and most appealing in its
price range, it will sell more quickly and for more money.
Sellers have to realize that, in the long run, they may not be
saving money by allowing their listing to linger on the market…"stale"
listings do not sell as well or for as much money. Living on "high
alert" is stressful. Most sellers want to get on with life
and regain a relaxed state of mind. Only you can decide whether
"to stage or not to stage".
Q. Are you a home inspector? If I hire you will
I still need to get a home inspection?
A. NO, I am not a home inspector. My analysis and consultation is
for cosmetic and merchandising purposes only. Some of the things
I may point out, such as peeling paint or a roof that looks like
it might have seen better days, may overlap with what a home inspector
will tell you. However, I do not analyze or know anything about
mechanical, structural, electrical, roofing or plumbing issues,
etc. I don't know if you will need a home inspector, and I do not
take the place of one.
Q. What is your background?
A. I graduated as an art major from Bennington College. I have done
extensive remodels of several large homes…which included designing
the space of unfinished basements into separate living units…
redesigning entire living spaces…from kitchens to ceilings…to
adding additions and everything in-between.
Since starting Dress Your Home For Sale, I work with clients (and
their realtors) in "staging" and enhancing properties.
(See testimonials)
Q. How much time is required for an Assessment
and Consultation?
A. It depends on a number of factors…the size and overall condition
of the property…i.e. paint condition and color, carpeting,
flooring, etc…how much clutter is involved… whether there
are too many or too few accessories…too much or too little
furniture and how it is placed…and other factors that are unique
to each property. The analysis and consultation of an "average"
property takes approximately two hours. Larger properties take longer,
as do those with more issues that need to be addressed.
Q. How can I remember all your suggestions?
A. I explain all my suggestions as we go. I also write everything
down. I leave you a copy of all recommendations at the end of the
analysis. If a realtor hires me to do the consultation, s/he also
receives a copy.
Q. Do you give free estimates?
A. NO. However, I am happy to discuss your situation with you over
the phone (at no charge), so you can better determine if my services
would be of benefit to you.
Q. Do you move furniture, hang pictures, paint,
move stuff around, clean out closets, basements or garages, etc.?
A. Not for a "marketing and merchandizing" analysis and
consultation. I leave the suggestions and recommendations with you.
You then choose what you are going to do or have done. Depending
on where you live, I can sometimes recommend people to do the work
for you. If you want assistance with shopping for carpeting, paint
and/or accessories, I do that for my hourly fee. For a fee, follow-up
visits are available for fine-tuning the changes you have made.
Q. What range of services do you offer?
A. I work with homesellers (with or without realtors)…realtors
who give you my services as part of their "listing package"…owners
of rental properties that need sprucing up…people wanting a
"face lift" for their homes (even though they are not
moving)…sellers of empty homes in need of temporary furnishing
and accessorizing…and those of you who want a "Clutter
Buster" to help with re-organization.
Q. What locations do you service?
A. Boulder County, Denver, and the Loveland/Fort Collins areas.
Q. What are your fees?
A. My rates depend on the job(s) I am hired for and where you are
located. Please call Marjorie for specific information at 303.926.1110,
or email me at Marjorie@dressyourhomeforsale.com
|
