What are some of the requirements to getting your home SOLD in today’s market?
Lights, Camera, Staged - SOLD!
Lights - a seller always wants to make a home feel light and bright. Open all blinds and turn on all lights during all showings. Part of this includes cleaning out those dust and bug filled light fixtures. Light makes everything shine. Another important showing aspect would be to add music…something soft. Think about going shopping at Nordstrom’s -the lights are on and often strategically placed and there is always nice music. Create the right atmosphere!
Camera - Digital Photography is a big part of today’s home sales. A big part. We use a great ”real estate camera” the Kodak v570 which has a nice wide angle lens and takes great real estate pictures. Rooms can look quite a bit larger on film than a regular camera and it doesn’t make that weird “fish eye look.” We’ve come up with some great Panoramic shots with it as a matter of fact! Sometimes hiring a professional photographer can be the best thing to do, but whatever it takes - get great photos! MLS, marketing brochures, & virtual tours are based on these still photos, and any other good marketing pieces. Over 80% of people begin their search online and many savvy buyers use the internet to base their choices on what homes to go see.
Staged - It is critical today to be the house on the market that shows the best. You’ve got to stand out in the crowd today. Not only price, but Look Great! 90% of buyers don’t have the imaginatin to see past clutter or unstylish furnishings. Nor do they have the ability to see how they would place their furniture in a vacant home, especially if there is a room that may be a bit awkward. Prospective buyers make a decision on your home within the first few minutes of walking through the front door. Staging creates a series of good first impressions that will make potential buyers want to linger and move in not move on.
It’s a combination of marketing efforts of course, but we’ve found that Lights, Camera, Staged usually lead to SOLD!
You are absolutely right on! It is all a matter of perception. Usually the homeowner (that includes us) doesn’t see the clutter or awkward placement of furniture. A “fresh” eye is always helpful.
Comment by Elaine Murphy Carlson — April 1, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
Staging absolutely makes a difference. We live in our home differently than when we sell it. It is often difficult for buyers to go into someone elses home and imaginge it as their own home. Staging helps to overcome this problem.
Comment by Marion Duffy — April 2, 2008 @ 9:09 am
Excellent suggestions for the sellers. The photos are so important to the listings and the more photos and the better they are help to sell the home. It is true that if there are no photos in the MLS on a listing it may not be chosen by the buyer. Since most buyers see a home on the internet before they choose a home to preview, it is essential for agents to provide good photos.
Comment by Darlene Herman — April 3, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
I’ll never forget reading an article in the usually very good and informative NAR Realtor’s magazine giving advice on which new camera’s were recommended for real estate professionals. Not one of the recommended cameras had a wide angle lens and all of them had zoom lenses! Since when do we need to focus in on the toilet in the bathroom!
Comment by Gretchen Merrick — April 3, 2008 @ 10:01 pm