Doggie Doors – Take ‘em or Leave ‘em
Doggie doors are one on the greatest inventions of ALL time. My cats use their “window door” all of the time. It was so nice to finally get them trained… now I am free. But, what if I don’t have a dog or cat – this means I will need to replace the door after I move in. Home owners today generally don’t have the time or energy to make changes to their newly purchased home right at or soon after they move in.. Most likely, they have been busy updating THEIR OWN home for sale and now don’t want to buy a house that will need more of the same… at least not right away. Most everything you will do to your house in preparation to sale, will bring you great returns… including a sale!
If you can, replace doggie doors before you list especially if it is on the inside of the home. These are the doors that are easier to replace. In this photo, the homeowner had this hollow core door replaced and it took this room from looking like a room next to the garage (this door went into the laundry room) to looking “dressed” to be simply a nice sellable room.
Put your self behind the home buyer’s eyes.
Think about what they may want, not what you have liked while you lived in and loved this home.
No more doggie door!
This room looks fresh with no sign of pets.
The home owners also took out the cabinet over the counter to give this potential office area a look of sophistication.
This is what HOME STAGING is all about.
Most everything you do to your house in preparation to sale, will bring you great returns… including a sale!
Peggy Givens, Tulsa’s Home Stager
Everyone dreams of diner parties
What’s the first thing you think of when you see a nice dining room?
Is it maybe “wow, I could have some really great diner parties in this dining room!”? That is what I think.
When buying a home, we look for the things that will fill the bill for our dreams… what we want to do in our future lives, what we aspire to.
Many homes on the market today are blank canvases waiting for an artist to come along and paint a story on them.
Creating a ‘vision’ that a buyer just cannot get out of their head.
Without something beautiful to look at, it is just a wooden frame with white canvas stretched over it.
Does this blank canvas give you something to dream with?
In the pink!
It just doesn’t get any better than this (well, maybe purple… or tangerine)!
Before: The pink house… EVERYTHING was pink with the exceptions of the roof and deck (red stain, gray roof). Even the chimney was pink… even the flowers are pink!!
The interior was much the same. pink, pink and pink. The exceptions were the kitchen and the deep cherry red living-room.
After: Our recommended colors look great on this ranch. The house now compliments the other neighborhood homes, adding value to their property as well as to this sellers.
This home sold in 34 days.
‘For Sale by Owner’ Home Staging Tips
There is lots of work to be done if you are selling your home on your own. The old ‘sign in in the front yard’ is only the beginning! Here are a few reminders.
#1. Show a SQUEAKY CLEAN house - this includes cabinets and closets.
#2. Get ready to LIVE squeaky clean every day your house is on the market! Everyday, Remember to make your bed, take a small sack and go through the house and collect clutter (just takes 3 minutes), empty kitchen sink, etc. Buyers love well kept homes!
#3. Stage your home to sell. Refresh your home with new sofa pillows, new fireplace screen, new neutral comforter sets and fresh towels. New furnishings will give a house a ‘well cared for’ feeling. Is there too much furniture in the house? This will it make seem cramped and look small. Are your window treatments open? Bright and airy sells homes.
Are your furnishings dated? pack them away, they are presenting your house to buyers with an ‘I’m an old house’ look – this is a very negative effect. Just take them out! This will also give your home the ‘less crowded’ feel that you want.
#4. The outside of your home is as important as the inside. EVEN in the winter months. Don’t skimp, use a great mulch and use plenty of it. Keep your front entrance swept – every day. This area is the buyer’s first impression – make it a great one.
#5. Market you home well! Home Staging IS marketing.
These home staging tips for your ‘for sale by owner’ home will get you off to a great beginning…
oh, and still put the sign in the front yard ;)
Good Luck!
