It's hard for Sellers to  think of their home as a Product being marketed as one would a car but that's exactly what it is.  And in today's market, it is even more important to make sure your product will appeal to a broad range of Buyers. Here are some ideas to consider:

 

NEUTRALIZE: This does not mean going "bland" or painting all of your walls white but rather using neutral colors rather than non- or less traditional ones.  Loud wall colors distract from a Buyer's ability to focus on what's important. . . visualizing themselves and their furnishings in that room.

     If you need to replace worn, outdated or soiled carpet stick with solid neutral colors.  A Buyer needs to see that their furnishings could work in your space; not what it's going to cost them to remove and replace the shaggy worn navy blue carpet. 

     Theme rooms need to be neutralized too so that the Buyer will focus on the size and functionality of the room and not feel limited by it. 

 

DE-PERSONALIZE:  This goes hand-in-hand with Neutralizing.  Family photos, diplomas, commemorative items etc need to be packed away.   Hide your toiletries in the bath areas.  Also, you'll want to remove your children's artwork on the refrigerator. 

     Weapons, religious items, certain artwork, political posters, and stuffed trophies (ie. deer, fish, etc) may turn some people off.  Go ahead and pack them. 

 

CATCH UP: Take a look around your house.  Does your kitchen scream "1975!" Buy a few home decorating magazines and pick up some ideas.  You don't need to be trendy, but replacing old light fixtures and appliances can go along way in appealing to a broad range of buyers.   You may not be able to replace a worn or outdated sofa, but what about a fresh slipcover and inexpensive accent pillow?

 

 

"Buyers only know what they see, not the way it's going to be"  Barb Schwarz/ www.StagedHomes.com

 

Think STAGING!  Which picture is more inviting to a potential buyer: