Previously, on ‘My Staged Life’…

Nobody will give your house a first look, let alone a second, if they don’t like what they see when they drive by − they’ll just keep driving. Most foreclosures don’t have to worry about this, they’re selling cheap enough that prospective buyers will have plenty of money left over for a quick, professional cleanup, a coat of paint, professional landscaping and a good decorator.

You on the other hand, aren’t selling your home for such a considerably low price. You have to make your house stand out in the best way
possible. You have to make your house stand out, even from the other houses on your street; even from houses that aren’t even on the market!

No, that title’s not a stab at your mental health. Well, maybe.

You may, very well, know what your home is worth. You may well be capable of selling it yourself. You may even be an excellent decorator. None of that means anything to a savvy buyer. If you believe that it does, you should definitely seek professional help.

When a buyer sees a house for sale by owner, their eyes light up. They know − they just know − they’ll be able to talk you down, considerably, in price. If they can’t, they’ll lose interest. If they can, you’ll lose money. Hire a reputable realtor − no, not just because it alliterates; though, that is a benefit. A realtor from a reputable local agency will, at the very least, place a sign in front of your home. That sign tells buyers they’re dealing with a professional. It also assures them that they’re being given a fair deal. A good realtor will also actively seek out buyers for your home. This is never a bad thing.

Part Seven – Seek Professional Help – For What it’s Worth

Previously, on ‘My Staged Life’…

Nobody will give your house a first look, let alone a second, if they don’t like what they see when they drive by − they’ll just keep driving. Most foreclosures don’t have to worry about this, they’re selling cheap enough that prospective buyers will have plenty of money left over for a quick, professional cleanup, a coat of paint, professional landscaping and a good decorator.

You on the other hand, aren’t selling your home for such a considerably low price. You have to make your house stand out in the best way
possible. You have to make your house stand out, even from the other houses on your street; even from houses that aren’t even on the market!

Take a look at your mailbox. Now, look at the knob on your front door. Okay, now, look at your kitchen faucet. Scratches? Gouges? Dents? Worn finishes? Outdated styles? Replace them if you have to. They’re not that expensive and can increase the perceived value of a home by hundreds − even thousands − of dollars!

Don’t stop there, though! If your outlets have scratch marks or discoloration, replace them, as well. While you’re at it, replace any switches that are worn from heavy use or old age. Look at anything you’ve got hanging from the ceiling; make sure the light fixtures and ceiling fans in your home match both the design of the home and today’s style. If they don’t or if they’re damaged, replace them. If you’re not comfortable doing your own electrical work, by all means, for your own safety, hire a licensed electrician. If you do the work yourself, be sure to follow local electrical code and turn off power at the breaker box before doing anything!

Part Six – Get Professional Help – Get Real with a Realtor

Previously, on ‘My Staged Life’…

Nobody will give your house a first look, let alone a second, if they don’t like what they see when they drive by − they’ll just keep driving. Most foreclosures don’t have to worry about this, they’re selling cheap enough that prospective buyers will have plenty of money left over for a quick, professional cleanup, a coat of paint, professional landscaping and a good decorator.

You on the other hand, aren’t selling your home for such a considerably low price. You have to make your house stand out in the best way
possible. You have to make your house stand out, even from the other houses on your street; even from houses that aren’t even on the market!

If you have wood floors, now is a good time to refinish them. I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this − and neither should you, if you can avoid it. If your floors are in decent condition, you can buy a sanding pole and some fine grit sandpaper, along with a couple gallons of a decent, fast-drying polyurethane, and just put a fresh coat down. If you have deep scratches or gouges, or your floors are uneven or have gaps in them, consult with a flooring professional (once again, I’ll mention Home Depot); you’ve got a bit more work to do.

If you’ve got tile anywhere in the house, be sure to scrub it. Use a good mildew remover to clean the grout lines, even if you don’t have visible mildew; you’ll still see a difference. Once clean and dry, use a grout sealer to make it look its best. If any of your floors are waxed, rent a floor maintainer and strip them, then apply a sealer and a floor finish. They should look new; remember, this is a good thing!

Be sure to scrub your countertops clean, as well as cabinet faces. Also, be mindful of faucets, fixtures and appliances. Install new switchplates and outlet covers, after applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls, of course. Before that coat of paint, use a good primer to cover any dark stains or scuffs so they won’t show through; otherwise you’re wasting your time. Once again, clean your windows − you did the exterior, now finish the interior!

Part Five – New it Up a Bit – Nothing too Shocking

Previously, on ‘My Staged Life’…

Nobody will give your house a first look, let alone a second, if they don’t like what they see when they drive by − they’ll just keep driving. Most foreclosures don’t have to worry about this, they’re selling cheap enough that prospective buyers will have plenty of money left over for a quick, professional cleanup, a coat of paint, professional landscaping and a good decorator.

You on the other hand, aren’t selling your home for such a considerably low price. You have to make your house stand out in the best way
possible. You have to make your house stand out, even from the other houses on your street; even from houses that aren’t even on the market!

Moving inside, make sure your rooms and, especially, walkways are free of clutter. If you’re not using something, put it away! Nobody wants to see your junk, let alone buy a house full of it. The less cluttered your house is, the bigger, more spacious and more inviting it looks. This sets it apart from the rest and people generally love big, open, warm, inviting spaces.

If you have carpet, rent a carpet cleaner − and use it. Be sure to follow the directions on the machine, this includes vacuuming your floors obsessively before you begin. As for cleaning solutions, I recommend using a professional, single-purpose, carpet solution and spot-treating where necessary, rather than spending more on an all-in-one solution. Having worked with these machines and solutions, I can tell you the results are generally better this way. Also, follow the directions on each bottle. If it says use full strength, use it full strength, don’t try to save money by diluting it; some of these chemicals deactivate in water. I cannot stress this enough, follow the directions on the machine, as well as each solution you are using!

Part Four – Clean it Out, In and Out – Floors, Walls and the Rest

Previously, on ‘My Staged Life’…

Nobody will give your house a first look, let alone a second, if they don’t like what they see when they drive by − they’ll just keep driving. Most foreclosures don’t have to worry about this, they’re selling cheap enough that prospective buyers will have plenty of money left over for a quick, professional cleanup, a coat of paint, professional landscaping and a good decorator.

You on the other hand, aren’t selling your home for such a considerably low price. You have to make your house stand out in the best way possible. You have to make your house stand out, even from the other houses on your street; even from houses that aren’t even on the market!

A killer lawn is great, but there’s still more to be done outside. Use a pressure-washer to make your home’s exterior look new again! You may have to find an eco-friendly cleaner to use, as well; and remember, when pressure-washing your siding, always aim the spray downward so the water doesn’t work its way behind the siding! If you have any wooden trim, a fresh coat of paint can’t hurt. Heck, recoat any painted wood on your house and, after pressure-washing and allowing time for it to dry, use a good quality sealer on any unpainted wood.

While you’re at it, be sure to clean your windows. Use a sponge and squeegee, along with a professional window cleaning solution (again, Home Depot has these things). You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes when you use the right tools for the job, rather than relying on acid rain to maintain your home’s exterior.

Part Three – Clean it Out, In and Out – Take it Inside

Nobody will give your house a first look, let alone a second, if they don’t like what they see when they drive by − they’ll just keep driving. Most foreclosures don’t have to worry about this, they’re selling cheap enough that prospective buyers will have plenty of money left over for a quick, professional cleanup, a coat of paint, professional landscaping and a good decorator.

You on the other hand, aren’t selling your home for such a considerably low price. You have to make your house stand out in the best way possible. You have to make your house stand out, even from the other houses on your street; even from houses that aren’t even on the market!

Clean up your lawn! Trim that tree, manicure those bushes, pull up those weeds and, for the love of all that is good in this world, mow it! Before you mow, though, be sure little Johnny picks up his outside toys; and make sure he keeps them picked up when he’s not playing with them. If you have a flower bed, plant flowers in colors that compliment the house. If you don’t have a flower bed, there’s never been a better time. It’s spring and the ground is fresh. Go to Home Depot, rent a tiller, buy some flowers and landscape timbers, talk to the people there and learn how to get your garden growing. Then, do it.

Part Two – Clean it Out, In and Out – Water Works

I would like to first thank the economy for giving me this wonderful opportunity. I would also like to thank everyone who didn’t read or understand the terms of their home loan. Without you, I would not have the opportunity to blog about our slow real-estate market.

With fewer buyers, it is now more important than ever that your home look its absolute best when trying to sell it; especially since you’re now competing in a market flooded with foreclosures, which often sell extremely cheaply, simply so the bank can recover their loss as quickly as possible. Don’t despair, however, you can still sell that house. Most importantly, you can still sell that house for your asking price, or more!

There are a few simple tricks you can use to squeeze every bit of value out of the sale of your home, for both yourself and the buyer. Sure, they’ll pay more; but they’ll love you for it. After all, it’ll be because of you that they fell in love with the perfect home − and bought it.

Follow me through this series of short articles to learn these tricks and maximize the resale value of your home!

Part One – Clean it Out, In and Out – Green it Out

More news on Rebuilding Together’s national efforts:

Rebuilding Together Hopes to Rebuild 1000
“In partnership with our national office in Washington D.C., RTSC is planning a trip to Acadiana, Lousiana during the week of September 21-17, 2008 to assist in the reconstruction efforts following the Katrina/Rita disaster. Recent studies have suggested that currently 1 in 4 residents in New Orleans are homeless as their homes are still not rebuilt from a few years ago. Acadiana is an area just to the northwest of New Orleans that continues to share in the devastation.We are hoping that a good sized group of volunteers can make the trip from the northeast Ohio area. Once there, our national office provides lodging, food, and transportation. In addition, they also provide all tools and materials for the job. They just need skilled and experienced adults to help complete the reconstruction. The minimum age is 18. We do expect at least some cost for the trip down and back.”

According to a FIZBER e-newsletter I (Rachel) received, yellow houses sell faster. But from what I recall from Intro to Interior Design from my freshman year in college, yellow houses are the hardest to sell. I will never forget that fact since I missed the question on my final exam. Yes, yellow houses evoke cheerful emotions and stand out from the rest, but yellow is also easily outdated. Each decade has its own type of yellow. So if you were shopping for a house and saw a mustard yellow split-level with brown trim, would you even bother looking inside or would you assume the interior was as outdated as the exterior? Don’t get me wrong, I love yellow houses (especially with white trim), but the yellow has to be current. (I was very disappointed when one perfectly yellow, corner-lot house in my neighborhood was painted a dull beige.) Be cautious when choosing exterior color. Consider the neighborhood, the era, and the architecture. If you are looking for a punch of color, try planting brightly colored flowers (which we highly recommend when staging a home to sell) or painting the front door instead.

By the way, FIZBER is an awesome and free real estate resource for home seekers, buyers, seller, and for-sale-by-owners. The information there is limitless. Check out their 10 Ways to Sell your Home in the Spring.