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HOUSE
September 2006 Staged to Sell Special touches can help you sell your home faster and for more money. BY CONSTANCE CARLSON
While the house has been on the market for six weeks at the time of this writing, Marwell and the Pretecrums are confident that a sale will result sooner rather than later. "We've already had strong interest and are continuing discussions, which is a very good sign," adds Marwell. Here is a list of the basic strategies you can apply to your own home. Eliminate clutter, depersonalize space. Remove or pack up excess and personal items and furniture. As Linda Esposito, principal of House Setters in Hurley, Ulster County (www.housesetters.com), says, "You're going to have to pack up or get rid of that stuff when you sell anyway, so you might just as well do it now." Create vignettes that evoke a positive emotion and create easy flow patterns from one room to the next. "Keep furniture and accessories to each room's unique function, whether it's a living room, bedroom, or study," suggests Allen Ransome of Ransome Van Syoc Design. Clean, clean, clean. This is the time to pull out all the stops: Clean behind the refrigerator and underneath the sink, as well as the ceilings (and ceiling fans), walls, floors, windows, and window treatments. Appliances should be gleaming. Especially if you smoke or have pets, professionally clean carpets and vents. Bad carpets should be replaced in a neutral color. Fix broken things; update worn styles. While expensive repairs might not be within your budget, take care of the small stuff. Use a discerning eye to contemporize the space with neutral accessories. If your kitchen is outdated, consider replacing appliances with stainless steel. Turn on the charm. Your place should be a showplace, starting from the curb. Focus on splashes of color, particularly at the front entry. "You want to make a good first impression to the largest number of buyers," says Diane Berman (no relation to Susan) of Houlihan Lawrence. With so many factors complicating home sales—location, timing, and luck, to name a few—it's hard to say how much styling will contribute to a homeowner's bottom line. But we do know that these homes show better. While professional designer and staging services can be costly, they may make a big difference. However, your own objective eye, a little money, and some elbow grease—and the advice of a good friend or real estate agent—might be all it takes to make your home a show-stopper, and bring in the sale you seek.The End Continued |
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