Maurice Gilmore - GUIDE TO SELLING A VACANT HOME.pdf

about creating more space by cleaning clutter, removing objects and furniture, giving rooms a fresh and neutral color, and making necessary repairs. Replacing carpets and flooring is a common practice. The process may involve professional painting, deep- cleaning, furniture rental or placement of appropriate pieces of the seller’s furnishings, and continual maintenance. To minimize expense in home staging, you or your professional’s first step is going to be to do as much as possible with everything that you already have. The priciest items will probably come with making updates and repairs, inside or outside the house. Least expensive are the things the sellers are willing and able to do themselves — maximizing space by moving objects around and cleaning your house out. An important part is choosing accessories and furniture to dress up your newfound space, creating a welcoming and warm environment. Home staging makes prospective buyers see all the possibilities of purchasing the home and living in it. They need to be able to imagine their own life’s taking place in each part of the home. Money spent on staging should not be considered as waste, but should as an investment or cost of doing business, and it will be recovered when the property is sold. It will pay off in the long run when the home’s perceived value is boosted.

DOES HOME STAGING WORK?

According to the information from the Real Estate Staging Association, properties that are professionally well-staged look more appealing and spend less time (about 75%) on the market. They are most viewed by buyers as “well-maintained” and “must- see” houses, and subsequently sold at a higher price.

When it comes to acquiring real estate, most prospective buyers

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