CLEAN – Thoroughly clean the area,  especially walls, carpets,  and furniture.

KEEP IT NEUTRAL – If the rooms are painted in bright colors, you may want to consider repainting the rooms. Wallpaper decorated in prints and bright colors could also be removed.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER – Items such as magazines. books and papers should be packed and placed into storage. Clutter is distracting to homebuyers and may make rooms appear smaller.

DRESS THE WINDOWS – Ensure that your window dressings are clean and appealing both on the inside and on the outside of your home. Also, remove window screens and clean windows to make the room appear brighter.

DRESS UP THE AREAS – Place a vase of flowers on a table and set dining room tables with your best place settings and nice linens. Dress up the areas as if you were entertaining guests.

EVALUATE FURNISHINGS – Make sure that each of your living areas have appropriate furnishings for the way that the room was intended to be utilzed.

BRIGHTEN IT UP -  Turn on all of the lights for showings to make the rooms appear brighter.

• Hearing

Lets not limit using sound in a design to adding a water feature or having music play in the background.  Although these can be great solutions for creating ambiance, there are other factors of sound that can be addressed.  Acoustics play a large role in our comfort level within a space.  Echoes are a result of sound waves being bounced off of  hard surfaces (empty wall space, wood/tile floors, wood furniture) and can create a sense of emptiness.  Soft materials are used to counterbalance this effect.  By adding window treatments, upholstery pieces, decorative pillows and throws, and artwork/photos on walls the sound waves will be absorbed producing less echoes and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

• Sight

Our first impression is made based on what we see.  Just as incorporating sound is not limited to water features and music, sight is not limited to patterns and colors, etc.   It’s easy to visualize a room as four walls, a ceiling, and a floor but the best way to visualize a room is as a 3-dimensional shape.  The walls, ceiling, and floor are the planes of the shape making six planes in total.  A great solution to tie these planes together is to finish your ceiling  with a lighter shade of your wall color and when choosing flooring, select shades that compliment your wall and ceiling colors.  With each plane being complemented by the others, a cohesive space or “shape” is created.

• Touch

We have to be careful not to fall into the trap of purchasing “eye candy” for our homes.  For instance, don’t settle for that sofa that’s the perfect shape visually but won’t allow for you sit comfortably or that carpet that’s the perfect color but you dread having to walk on it for fear you might end up with a brush burn.  What we purchase for our home must not only be pleasing to look at but it should be pleasing to touch.  Do you love the look of hardwood floors but find them uncomfortable to walk on in colder months?  Try adding an area rug.  It can easily be stored in warmer months.  If you are shopping for new upholstery, take home fabric samples but not just to look at.  Touch them periodically and get a sense for if it will allow you to enjoy that furniture even more.

• Smell

What do the patterns, colors, and textures in your room remind you of?  A room filled with bright bold colors decorated with seashells may not feel complete with a scent of pine trees just as a log cabin may not feel complete paired with a tropical scent.  It’s important to select scents that are pleasing to you but they should reflect your design choices as well.  Unpleasant odors can be a stumbling block in creating that perfect environment.  Keep the air fresh, pleasant, and clean.

• Taste

Taste may not seem like a sense that has anything to do with home design or decorating but it can add that perfect finishing touch.  Did you know that certain colors induce hunger?  Reds and yellows  are commonly used in restaurants for this reason.  Ever wonder why one of the largest fast food chains in the world chose these two colors?  If you are looking to make a kitchen more inviting, look to natural foods for color inspiration.  Accessorize with fresh fruits/vegetables, candy, etc.  in any room to add that pop of color.  Think of it as the garnish of the room.  Having these in a room is a sign of hospitality which is sure to help any guest feel right at home.

The following statement was taken from Senator Nozzolio web site:

The new State Budget, put together behind closed doors, took away your STAR property tax rebate checks. The loss of these checks will cost individual homeowners throughout our state hundreds of dollars.

 Senator Nozzolio voted against the budget because it took away your rebate checks and raised taxes by an average of $2,400.00 for you and other families.

Please fight to restore the Star Rebates by signing the petition on his web site at:

http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/join-fight-restore-star-rebates

In order for a home buyer to take the step of buying your home they must feel at home the moment they walk through the door, What “home” should feel like depends on the home buyer, but you can take several steps to help each home buyer along the way.

The next few pages of this guide will take you through each room of your home and will give you tips on creating the perfect space for potential home buyers. However, please also utilize the expertise of your Agent to help along the way.

The Grand Entrance

First impressions are everything. In the entry way, a potential home buyer has an immediate sense of how they will receive your home. Decide which entry all potential home buyers will come through and communicate that with your salesperson. The tips below will guide you in creating a grand entrance.

• Check the condition of your entry door and decide whether it should be painted or replaced.
•  Place a wreath of other decorative item on the door.
• Below the door, place an inviting welcome mat.
• Clear the entry of any clutter, including shoes.
• Make sure the entry hall closet is neat and organized.
• Thoroughly clean the area, including walls and ceilings.
•  If the entry leads to a foyer, make sure that it is appropriately decorated.
• Place a vase of flowers on a table.
•  Hang non-personal pictures or a mirror on the wall.

 

I wanted to alert you all to the fact that HUD is proposing some changes to the FHA program. These changes are not a “done deal” at this point.

One of the changes that I wanted to point out is in regards to seller concessions. HUD is proposing that FHA seller concessions will be reduced from the current maximum of 6% to 3%. This change could have an impact on many first time buyers as they often struggle to come up with the required cash to close.

On April 5 2010, HUD will be increasing the cost of the upfront Mortgage Insurance premium that is financed into all FHA loans. The current premium of 1.75% will be increasing to 2.25%. The premium will still be allowed to be financed into a buyers mortgage.

Therefore, I think it is important that we underscore to potential buyers that now is the time to act. Interest rates remain at historic lows, and the homebuyer tax credits are set to expire as of April 30 (with a June 30 closing).

Any buyer that is waiting to purchase a home may be subjected to a higher cash requirement, higher mortgage payment due to the increased cost of the mortgage insurance and that’s before we talk about the risk of interest rates rising.

Any questions please feel free to call

Sam Geraci
716-633-2700 ext 3123

      1.  Purchase multifunction furniture

Adding or replacing a few furniture pieces with built in storage is a great way to eliminate clutter.  Look for tables with drawers, ottomans with removable lids, trundle beds for kids rooms, decorative trunks that can house toys, etc.  These pieces still provide their main function but also make a place for things that should be stored away when they are not in use.  Avoid using cabinets with glass doors for storage unless you are displaying a minimal amount of decorative items.

     2.   Keep decorations and accessories simple

We all have and continue to acquire those decorative pieces that hold sentimental value and memories but it is possible to display too many at once.  The fewer displayed, the more noticeable they will be and the more you will appreciate them.  Change out older knick knacks with new to keep yourself in the present but leave a few of your favorite older pieces out as a reminder of your past.  Pack the ones taken off display in a keepsakes box where they are still safe and easy for you find.  Go through them every once in a while and change them out.  Change out older photos in frames with new and store them in a scrapbook or photo album.

    3.  Your counters are not meant for storage

It’s very easy to use bathroom and kitchen countertops for storage but it doesn’t mean we should.  If it seems as though your countertops are doing a disappearing act, maybe it’s time to evaluate what they are being used for.  Countertops are meant to be used as workspaces but it is very practical to use them to house small appliances.  If you find yourself using your toaster or blender a few times a month, it’s not practical to keep them out on your counter year round.  Don’t crowd your bathroom counters with hair care products, toothbrushes, lotions, etc.  Store these items away to keep your room clean and spacious. and most importantly sanitary.

A simple cleaning goes a long way, whether you’re getting your home ready to sell or are simply looking to spruce up your existing home.  There are not many benefits to having a cluttered home.  Ok, there are NO benefits to having a cluttered home.  Benefits come from having a decluttered home.  With the clutter out of the way, a potential buyer will be able to see a house, perhaps a vision of themselves in your house, not your belongings.  With the clutter out of the way, you’ll find it easier to maintain a clean and fresh home.  With the clutter out of the way you can develop a clearer picture of what your home needs to function better.  You might find yourself asking, “Do I really need to invest in that addition?”  Start small and take it step by step.  With clutter out of the way, any project is easier to accomplish.

 Q. Where should I begin?

 A. Start by making a commitment to do what it takes to market your home and get it sold. With the right system, the home sale you want is still within your reach.

 Q. Why didn’t my house sell?

 A. According to the Board of Realtors, 50% of all homes on the market sell in 30 days or less. After 30 days those that did not sell have only a 50% chance of selling at all. This means we need to do it correctly, right out of the gate. Review your pervious selling plan and you’ll discover that an unsold listing usually reflects a problem in one or more of these four major areas: 

1. Teamwork
2. Pricing
3. Condition of the Home
4. Marketing

 Q. Is it still possible to get my home sold?

 A. Absolutely, your second marketing period is actually a new beginning and an excellent opportunity to get your home sold.

 4 Important Points That Will Get Your Home Sold.

 1. Teamwork

Your home is a major financial investment, and your relationship with your realtor should be a full partnership where your needs and wishes are heard. You should receive dependable feedback on the progress of your sale; your agent has the responsibility to receive this feedback from other agents who have shown you property and to communicate this to you so together you can make the right decision about what to do next. How well did this occur the last time you had your home up for sale?

 2. Pricing

Did the price work for, or against you? The “right” price depends on market conditions, competition, location and the condition of your home. Pricing it too high is as dangerous as pricing it to low. If your home doesn’t compare favorable to others in the price range you’ve set, you won’t be taken seriously by prospects or agents and may actually help sell other homes in your area. You’ll get the facts when you see the statistics! To help you establish a realistic selling price for your home, ask your agent to provide you with an up-to-date comparative market analysis that gives you: 

• A review of comparable homes recently sold or currently for sale.
• An idea of how long other homes have been listed, in order to calculate an average time in which a home can sell in today’s market.
• A review of homes whose listings have expired, to understand what issues were at play. Note: There is no mention of how much you paid for your home of its improvements. Like any investment, the market value is determined by what a buyer will pay and a seller will accept.

 3. Condition of Your Home

Show Case Quality! Is your home someone else’s idea of a dream home? When buyers enter, are they inspired? Do they think, “I love this house!” Remember, the decision to buy a home is usually based on emotion, not logic. A house in move-in condition invites a sale. You need to consider: 

• Fixing all the little squeaks and cracks.
• Change outdated light fixtures and hardware.
• Keeping it clean for all showings.
• Brighten it up.
• What your home shows like from the street (concentrate on outside curb appeal).
• Staging your home.

Consider taking care of major items, such as having your home painted. Offering an allowance for prospective buyers so they can have the house painting completed is not the same as having it done for them. Now as their trying to imagine what a new paint job will look like, they may also be discounting the price even further because of the less than perfect look of the walls.

Remember… A house that looks well, sells quicker and for the best price because it outshines the competition. Ask your agent if they can arrange a no-obligation inspection of your home to help you evaluate the above.

4. Marketing Your Home to Sell

One of the first steps in you marketing plan involves finding an agent who will best represent you.

When interviewing agents, test and compare their knowledge and ask each to demonstrate how they will market your home to buyers, also compare in what media (internet, newspaper, magazines, etc.) and the effectiveness of one medium over the other. Are you getting the most for your money? Keep in mind, it’s not how much they spend but how they spend it. How about your internet presence, how many web sites are you listed on? In today’s High-Tec market, nine out of ten buyers search for homes on the internet prior to contacting a real estate agent. What about the photos, were they good quality? Did they use maximum amount allowed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and other web sites? Lastly, say goodbye to any Realtors using old, traditional methods to sell your home, because they won’t work in today’s marketplace, agents who use the new and innovative, non-traditional marketing approaches are the ones who are getting more homes sold fast and for top dollar.

Contact Us for our free 3 page report on “10 Tips to Improve Your Selling Ability”

………………………………………………………………….

1765 Como Park Blvd.
Depew, NY 14043

Most potential homebuyers will start their search for a home on the internet. If the pictures of a home create interest on the part of the homebuyer, they will drive  by that home to assess the home’s location and condition.

The drive-by is critical for the seller of that home, and while the seller cannot control where their home is located, they can control how the homebuyer initially perceives the home. This is done by creating curb appeal.

As a home seller, ask yourself if your home has curb appeal. Does your Salesperson think it has curb appeal? Are homebuyers that are driving by going to call their Realtor to make an appointment based on what they see on the outside?

Create Curb Appeal

Creating curb appeal is important and worth the time spent, plus it does not have to cost a lot of money. Below are ideas for enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Before investing the time and money, ask your Salesperson what improvements they recommend.

Paint:

Peeling or Faded – Depending on the severity, you may want to paint the entire exterior, however if the peeling is minor, simple touch ups will be sufficient.

Dated- If your home’s colors have become dated, you may want to consider updating your home’s appearance by painting it with more neutral or traditional colors.

Hint : Tour a new home development for ideas on the latest color palettes.

Landscaping

Lawn: Cut and edge your lawn once a week to keep it looking manicured. Be sure to rake your lawn free of leaves.

Shrubs: Keep shrubs neatly trimmed, If they are near windows, cut them down beneath the bottom of the window to allow for more light in your home.

Flowers: It is not necessary to plant flowers. Place potted flowers in your flower beds or on your porch to add a touch of color.

General

Outdoor Toys: Store all toys in the garage or shed when not in use. If you have many large playsets in your yard that will not be sold with the home, store those as well.

Trash Cans: Make sure your trash cans are sealed with a top and placed inside the garage.

Extra Vehicles: If you have ATV’s, a motor home, or an extra car on your lot, consider placing them in short-term storage.

Front Door: Place an attractive wreath or other decorative item on your front door to make it more inviting.

The above artical was taken from Hunt Real Estate’s Booklet on Staging.