Two "must do's" when staging your house for sale are fresh paint and carpet. Potential Buyers need to fall in love with your property AND they need to see the value of your property before they'll make an offer. New paint and carpet are the best ways to help them do so! If your house has old and dirty carpet and dingy paint, it will appear tired, sad, and worn-out ... which doesn't appeal to buyers emotionally or intellectually. Sellers often think that buyers will want to pick out their own colors ... but many buyers cannot envision what the house will look like with fresh paint and carpet and how it will transform it from tired to perky!
Realtors often hear Buyers comment: "But, I'd have to get that wallpaper removed!", "But, I'd need to get the whole house painted!", "But, we couldn't live with that carpet!" ... and then the Buyers assign a dollar value to the improvement that is often hundreds or thousands of dollars more that the actual cost would be. So, even if the Buyers decide to make an offer on the property, they will "deduct" their imagined cost of the carpet and paint - usually WAY more than the actual cost would be. Plus, their perceived value of the property will be way less, so their initial offer will be lower.
What's a Seller to do? If your house needs paint, check with your paint store salesperson for the most popular neutral color that is in fashion. Currently, bright earth tones are in favor. New carpet should be a taupe or beige tone - those colors go with any decor. You can't go wrong with neutral choices and you WILL recoup the cost of these improvements. The neutral colors you choose may not be the perfect fit for every buyer, but a "re-do" will not be seen as necessary, either.
Some updates may not give you any return on your investment, while others, if done wisely (remember that neutral sells!), will. Carpet and paint are two "must do's" when staging your house for sale! You WILL get the money back as long as you've chosen wisely. Consult your Real Estate professional to determine what other steps you should take to get your house ready to market. It will make a big difference in your profit and in the time it takes to sell your house. And remember the two "must do's" when staging your house for sale!
410-707-1840 Sue@BrazzelDazzle.com 443-745-4406 Dipper@BrazzelDazzle.com
http://localism.com/neighbor/suebrazzel
I would love all my staging clients to paint and get new carpet as I agree these are essential to getting top dollar. I must say though, that if they do not have enough finances to do this AND stage properly, often times the staging can have a greater impact and goes to the top of the list. A good example is if the home has all white walls that are in decent condition. Putting soft nuetrals on the walls is ideal but if that means no staging budget, I would rather leave the walls white and bring life and color through proper staging.
Great Post Sue. I've found some sellers just don't seem to understand what a fresh coat of paint can do to help sell their home. Simple inexpensive cleaning the carpets, windows, and bathrooms, can make a home look and smell better.
Valerie, I agree, without enough finances, new carpet and paint may not be a possibility ... proper staging is a must and will have to suffice in those cases.
Eileen, Yes, a fresh coat of paint can be like a magic wand that can transform the house.
Paint is the BIGGEST favor any seller can do for themselves!! It cost so little compared to the payoff!
Kathy, Thanks for stopping by.
Sue: You definitely know what sells houses. And, it's so great to hear from a Realtor who GETS IT re staging! If you ever need a stager over in my neck of the woods (Montgomery County, DC) please do call me. I would love to work with you.
Patricia,
Thanks for reading - I love your website and all the re-do's you've accomplished. I've added you as an associate and will definitely refer you to my Montgomery Co area clients who need a stager.
Love realtors who get that advising their clients to do some work on their home is an important step in getting buyer's attention.
I do however agree with my colleagues, staging is the best place to spend any money on a house for sale.
Not all sellers will understand which colours are best choice for selling: a home stager will advise on colours, if painting is required. Many stagers are also able to offer a discount on paint.
Carpet can be questionable, as so many people are allergic and prefer no carpet. As a home stager, my first inclination would be to look under the carpet to see if there is a wood floor waiting to be discovered again. This would be the ideal. If not, and there is no budget for new flooring, I would recommend professional carpet shampooing, unless it is very worn and dated. Then the only reasonable choice may be inexpensive replacement carpet.
These two PLUS GET RID OF ALL YOUR CLUTTER!!!! and fix any large holes in the ceiling.
Steve,
Clutter and holes in drywall are definitely "must do's" as well! Isn't it wonderful to see green grass again!! My dogs are in heaven.