The following tips will help you better understand Maggie Griffin's advice when staging a home for sale that will bring you positive results.


PRICING YOUR HOME TO SELL is the first step before staging. Put your mind in the mind of the buyers, then prepare your home to present itself at the price you listed it for.

A realistic selling price and terms are perhaps the most important considerations to a prospective buyer of your home. The price is based on a Competitive Market Analysis drawn from research of comparable houses recently sold within the area and those now for sale. Be sure you receive a CMA with comparable sales that are within a year of when you are planning to list your home for sale. The "comps" that are the most recent in market values and within a one mile radious of your home reflects your home's current market conditions.


DON'T OVERPRICE

As a seller, you should be aware that an overpriced home isn't going to make money--it's going to cost money. An inflated price tag is a losing proposition for everyone: you lose time and money, and in the current real estate market it may be challenging to aggressively promote the sale of overpriced property. Prospective buyers will rarely consider a home that's out of their price range and a home that is overpriced for the location. The unfortunate comes to life when you eventually decide to reduce the price to a realistic figure; the buying public may recall how long the house has been on the market and assume there's something wrong with it or the location.


SET THE PROPER PRICE AND GET IT

Your choice in a Real Estate Professional will work with you to determine a fair and realistic price. Based on the daily familiarity and knowledge of current market prices, be certain you are choosing the best qualified real estate professional that is a Realtor to establish a proper price. The major concern is setting the best price that sells your home and only a Realtor can access that information.

Several Real Estate Companies offer about the same type of services, the truth is, service begins with the Real Estate Professional representing that company.


Maggie's 20 Staging Tips and Advice:

You can help sell your home faster for the best price with a little extra effort on your part. These 20 tips have proved invaluable to owners and are worth your special attention.

First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect so make sure it is fresh, clean, and scrubbed-looking. Keep the lawn trimmed and edged and the yard free of refuse. Be sure snow and ice are removed from walks and steps.

Decorate to sell. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why try to tell a prospect how your home could look when you can show him by redecorating? Neutral colors fit with any buyer's color scheme, and a new touch of paint will often result in a quick, profitable sale.

Let the sunshine in. Open draperies and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be.

Fix the faucet! Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.

Repairs can make a big difference. Loose door knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed. (When prospects see things that need attention, they begin to worry about things they can't see.)

Show from top to bottom. Display the full value of your attic, basement and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull basements by painting or washing walls.

Safety first. Keep stairways clear. Avoid a cluttered appearance and possible injuries.

Make closets look bigger. Neat, well-ordered closets show that the space is ample.

Believe it or Not...Bathrooms help sell homes! Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. The Bathroom(s) sparkle is a terrible thing to waist.

Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture and use attractive/clean bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains.

Can you see the light? Illumination is like a welcome sign. The potential buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all your lights for an evening inspection.

Three's a crowd. Avoid having too many people present during viewings of the home. Note - If you request your agent to be present at these viewings, they have to be present. If there is too much of a crowd, the potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.

Music is mellow. But not when showing a home. Turn off the blaring radio or television. Let the Realtor and buyers talk, free of disturbances.

Pets underfoot? Keep them out of the way--take them for a ride or put them outside. If this is a difficult task for you and your pet, then hire a Realtor who is pet friendly that can work with your pet prior to the prospective buyers arriving. (Maggie Griffin has 3 dogs by the way).

Silence is golden. Be courteous but don't force conversation with the potential buyer. He/She wants to view your house for a potential purchase--not pay a social call.

Be it ever so humble. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. A Realtor is trained to answer any objections--this is their job.

Stay in the background. The Realtor knows the buyer's requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don't tag along. You will be called if needed.

Why put the cart before the horse? Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings prior to potential buyers view your home, makes a room appear like an "empty nest". Remember your three types of buyers; The Starting Out Buyers, The Starting Over Buyers, The Moving Forward Buyers.

A word to the wise. If you hire a Real Estate Professional, let your Real Estate Professional discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the customer and/or their agent. An experienced full time Realtor is eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.

If you are a For Sale By Owner, hire an attorney to negotiate price and terms for you.


Maggie Griffin is an e-mail or phone call away. If you need more advice or her assistance, Maggie Welcomes the opportunity to speak with you or meet with you for a no-obligation consultation.