*B Curry, REALTOR®. Used with the permission of the author.
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WHAT DO BUYERS WANT?
Most home shoppers are looking for a home that will give them a fresh start. Perhaps they are just starting out and it’s a fresh start from apartment living, or maybe they’ve outgrown their starter home and need more room for their expanding family. On the other end of the spectrum, if their kids are grown and out of the house, a couple might be looking for a way to declutter their lives and downsize. There is also the situation in which a marriage is ending in divorce, and the couple has to face the reality of selling what is often the single largest asset of the union. In any case, if potential buyers can envision themselves living in your home, it will be easier to sell. Think of it as creating interior curb appeal, where you draw prospective buyers’ attention to the inviting space and unique features of your home. Each room in your home should have a purpose or a suggested use and should feel new to reflect ease of upkeep. By removing dated wallpaper, adding a fresh coat of paint, updating the brass bathroom fixtures that were all the rage in the 90s and replacing stained carpets and popcorn ceilings, you can improve the salability of your home by 75%! High-end replacements are not necessary; your goal is to create a clean, simple, and contemporary feel to your home. Be advised that many buyers watch real estate television programming, and these shows greatly influence buyer expectations around design styles, decor, renovation, and decluttering. Many of these homes feature neutral colors, modern home updates, minimalist decor, staging, and decluttered spaces. In their Profile of Home Staging, the NAR looked into how TV shows have influenced buyer expectations
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