Home Stagging

PAGE 12

Home

SEPTEMBER 2018

Don’t Date Yourself‌or Your Home!

Keeping in touch with the times is critical to increasing your home’s value and getting top dollar.

When you look around your home, does it feel “dated�? This is a common word in the real estate industry—and to be brutally honest—it is something realtors do not like to see and homeowners do not like to hear. As a professional home stager, I have witnessed many people use this word in the wrong context and sadly, it does have a negative connotation and understandably so! If your

home has ever been referred to as “dated,� then you know exactly what I am talking about.

This word is important because it is very specific and while it is not meant to offend homeowners, it usually does. “Dated� simply means your home needs improvements to make it more current and thus more competitive in the marketplace. It does not have to do with the style of your home, but its bones. If it has to do with style, then there is an easy and affordable solution—you just call me! If it has to do with the bones of your home, like the paint, cabinetry, carpet or flooring, then “improvements� need to be made. Improvements do cost money, but the goal is to stick to a budget and only focus on “updating� those items that will increase the value of your home.

Once you have decided to sell your home and your mindset shifts to the perspective of “this is not my home anymore,� as I addressed last month, then you are ready to “update.�

SEPTEMBER 2018

PAGE 13

Don’t Date Yourself... or Your Home

carpet or soap scum on your shower doors may not appear in professional photography, prospective buyers will see it when they view your home in person. Keep this in mind.

Next time, I will share another important tip on how to best stage your home before you list. Checkout the latest and greatest at www. stageinstylehomes.com or call 951-365-7984.

Step 1: Make a List Let’s start in the heart of the home—the kitchen. Assess the cabinetry, appliances, countertops and lighting. What is the condition? Do you have recessed lighting or old fluorescent lightbulbs? Could you stain your wooden cabinetry to give it a fresh-looking appearance or does it need new paint and hardware? Do you have tile countertops?

Let’s be real—we all know what areas of our home need fixing and/or updating, so go through each room and make a list.

Step 2: Consult with a Professional I always suggest consulting with your realtor, general contractor or handyman, and home stager to identify what will give you a solid return on investment. For every dollar you spend, you should get at least two dollars back. Now, that you have identified your absolute “must-have� improvements to make your home more attractive to potential buyers it is time to pull out the calendar! Have you identified your target date to list your home? Is it, “as soon as possible’? If so, do not worry. Just keep moving forward.

Step 3: Get Estimates & Make Appointments Let’s say you need sheet rock repairs, all brass light fixtures replaced and kitchen and bathroom cabinetry painted. Ask your family and friends for any referrals and/or go to Yelp, Angie’s List, Facebook, etc. to search for professional handymen and painters in your area. Collect at least three bids per service needed, compare and contrast based on experience, reviews, price, and availability. Choose the best candidate and schedule an appointment.

That is truly all that is needed to “update� your home. It is as easy as that. It is human nature to complicate things and become overwhelmed, but it does not have to be. One last tip that I strongly recommend to anyone interested in selling their home is to not underestimate the impact a professional home cleaning, window washing and carpet/tile and grout cleaning has on the overall appearance. While dust around your fireplace, food stains in your kitchen, pet stains on your

Dara lives in Temecula, California with her husband of almost 7 years, David. She is a member of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) and has her undergraduate in history, journalism and business administration. As a graduate of Murrieta Valley High School, she has called Temecula home (on and off) since 2003. Dara is easy, fun, and flexible to talk to and happily performs free staging consultations offering advice, tips and tricks to local residents.