LIVE BOZEMAN STYLE

Staging Your Home for a Successful Sale

According to the National Association of REALTOR'S® most recent buyers (44%) who purchased new homes were looking to avoid renovations and problems with plumbing or electricity. Translation: the initial curb appeal and the overall first impression of your property translates into a sale opportunity or a missed transaction.

A perceived drawback or problem (i.e. - undesirable paint color or wallpaper in place) will cost you time on the market and dollars at the closing table. I just talked to an agent today who had her clients remove wallpaper and paint in a dated property after initially releasing it to the market. The work to complete the improvements cost $500 in actual time and materials, but the first round of potential buyers already had their first impression formed; so the property also had to take a 9% reduction in asking price to regenerate interest. I wonder what the difference could have been for that Seller had the necessary work had been completed before the property was released to the market? Would it already be sold today? Your best tool to deliver top dollar to you is to is to ensure the first impression your property makes is its best possible impression.

Top 5 Staging Tips:

• Declutter: I get it, most appliances are on your countertops because they are an active part of how you live in the property; and even though you love them they are a distraction for a potential buyer. Busy countertops limit a buyer's ability to see the space of the kitchen as a whole. When walking through a property with my Seller, I advise them to pick the one appliance they use every day, leave that on the counter and find a hiding place for the rest.
• Now I know I don't even have to say it, and you aren't guilty of beer bottles on top of the cabinet, or liquor bottles, or the like; but if you are... they have to go. Seeing as Bozeman is a college town, this is a decorating choice I see more than I'd like to admit.

• De-personalize: Above all else, de-personalizing your property is a safety tool. When I photograph the home, it is a priority for me that your family be protected and I not post any photographs that would disclose your family structure or the contact details of any children living in the home. Also, de-personalizing ensures Buyers will be able to focus on the property exclusively and not be racking their brain where they might know you from. Bozeman still is a small town after all! Lastly, clearing the home of your personal effects will allow your future buyer to imagine themselves in the property.

• Pay attention to finishing touches: Making the bed, vacuuming the carpet, and turning all the lights on will allow the home to shine. Your potential buyer won't be distracted by your unmade bed, or perceive a loss in value because there ins't a comforter in place (it is amazing how that can distract your brain!)

• Explore your home with a critical eye. Do you have items in place that facilitate how you live in the property but likely distract a future buyer from seeing the property? Are there dog beds throughout the home (I know there are at my house!) Are rugs in place that will cause the buyer to question if the floor is damaged? Is there a cat tree up? Removing any and all of those items will eliminate potential barriers to sale. Remember, not everyone loves our four legged friends, and they may even be allergic. Even if they aren't having any type of reaction to your animals during a viewing, beds and pet supplies will cue their brain to look for challenges.

• Unplug any plugins: I know, you might love them. But plugins, scented candles, diffusers, they can all be overwhelming to a buyer. If a potential buyer is sensitive to smells, a plugin might cost you a showing all together. If they aren't sensitive to smells, they are likely to wonder what smell you are covering up. Either way, scents are more likely to be a distraction than a benefit, so unplug them to Sell.

*Bonus tip - mounts, taxidermy, skulls & skins will serve you best packed up. I understand, it is a Montana way of life; and do you want a mount to be the reason a buyer passes on your property? Is the display worth the potentially missed sale?