Remax Five Star Realty, selling Schuylkill County properties for buyers and sellers

 
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Serving the greater Schuylkill County region, including Pottsville, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Haven, Lake Wynonah, Pine Grove, Minersville, Frackville, Tamaqua, Hometown, Hamburg, Hegins, New Ringgold, Deer Lake, Tower City, Tremont and Shenandoah

Home> Home Selling Tips

   

Staging Your Home | Establish the Right "First Impression"
Staging the Interior of Your Home

   
   

RE/MAX Five Star Realty can show you how sell your home for the...

  • Best Price, in the
  • Time period you desire, with the
  • Most favorable terms and conditions
Major factors affecting the value of your home
  • Supply and demand
  • Interest rates
  • Property condition
  • Location, location, location
Methods of evaluation
  • Sales comparison approach (comparable property sales)
  • Income approach (investment properties)
  • Cost approach (new properties)

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When prospective buyers look at a house, they are influenced by many subtle factors.  Making sure these factors are working in your favor is what we refer to as "Staging Your Home" for sale.

When considering a house for purchase, the Buyer often visualizes what it would be like living there.  If the home is dominated by strong personal statements, the Buyer is less likely to feel comfortable, and therefore, less able to visualize the property as his or her own.

  • Unusual wall colors or heavily patterned wallpaper
  • Heavy odors from pets, tobacco or cooking
  • Unusual area for furnishings

Any of the above may create a feeling that the house is dominated by someone else and may interfere with the Buyer's ability to "feel at home".

Small details make big statement about the condition, or just as important, the perceived condition of your property.  A house that shows poorly as a result of an overgrown lawn, an area of peeling paint, or simply the smell of mildew may create the overall feeling that the property has not been cared for.  This could cost you valuable time and money.

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The following is an outline of those key components which create the overall first impression, including suggestions on how to make sure the Buyer reacts as favorable as possible.

Your property landscape is not limited to lawn and shrubs.  It encompasses everything from the street to your door step.  This is called "curb appeal".

  • Make sure the street in front of your house is free of litter and debris.
  • Sweep your sidewalk if needed and remove weeds that may be growing between the cracks.
  • A freshly painted fence gives the home a crisp look.
  • Neatly trimmed shrubs are essential when selling your house.  Taking time to do this costs little, but has a big impact.
  • The lawn should be freshly mowed and trimmed.
  • If you have vinyl or aluminum siding a little cleaning can do wonders.
  • The doorway is the focal point of your home.  Some inexpensive ideas to improve this focal point:  paint, new hardware, install a brass kick plate, put a flower box or a planter along side the door and install a new front light fixture.
  • Replace any cracked or broken glass in your windows.  Make sure they are clean and apply touch up paint where needed.
  • The roof may be the single most important aspect of your home front.  A well-maintained roof will say a lot about the overall condition of the property.  Replace any broken or missing shingles and paint eaves and fascia boards.

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There are many ways to create a more exciting and saleable interior, which can be achieved at surprisingly low cost.
   
LIGHT! It is proven that people react more favorable to property shown under bright light than dark.  Keep your house as bright as possible by:
  • Keeping windows clean
  • Use adequate wattage in bulbs
  • Use light wall colors
  • Open drapes and blinds and turn on lights prior to showing
COLOR! A fundamental rule when selling your house is to keep colors neutral and light.
   
SOUND! The sounds of peace and quiet are some of the best sounds to have when your house is being shown.
   
SMELL! Smell has more impact than you would expect.
  • The smell of newness is positive.  This can be achieved by applying a fresh coat of paint.
  • The smell of cleanliness is important to the selling environment of your house.  Beyond actual cleaning, lemon oil or lemon wax can help create a lasting scent of freshness.  Fresh flowers can also be effective.  Smells to avoid include strong pet odors, tobacco, cooking oil or gas.
   
Your Entry!
The entry is where the first impressions of the interior are created.  Here you have the opportunity to make a big statement in a small area.
   
Your Bathroom!
The bathroom has become an important selling feature in today's home.  There are many ways you can enhance interest:
  • Place a vase of fresh flowers on the vanity.
  • Replace an old toilet seat with a new one.
  • Freshen the air with lemon scented products.
  • Add color and richness with new towels and a shower curtain.
   
The Kitchen!
The kitchen is perhaps the most important room in a house.  How attractive you make it look will have a major impact in the value of your property.
  • Make sure the room is virtually spotless and smells fresh.
  • A freshly painted kitchen may well be a worthwhile investment, especially if you do it yourself!
   
The Living Room!
The living room is an area we do very little living in, yet is a major selling point of a house.
  • Make sure all cosmetic cracks are repaired.
  • Use lemon oil on hardwood furniture to create the right look and aroma.
  • Clean the wall-to-wall carpet or large area rugs.
  • Clean windows and light fixtures.
  • The strategy is to make the room bright and larger.
   
The Bedrooms!
The bedrooms can do as much to sell your house as they can do to turn off a Buyer.
  • Make sure the bedrooms are absolutely spotless.
  • Rugs should be cleaned.
  • Organize closets to increase their perceived size.
  • A closet organizer is a great addition.
  • Bedrooms should be well lit.
   
Conclusion:
By showing attention to detail and understanding the Buyer's need to visualize your house against a neutral backdrop, you will increase the salability of your property. 

Staging your house properly will help you achieve the best sales price obtainable for your property in the shortest period of time.

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Each office independently owned and operated.
RE/MAX Five Star Realty, 1260 Centre Turnpike, Suite 108, Orwigsburg, PA  17961
 Local Phone: 570-366-8600 or Toll Free:  866-671-8100

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