Preparing to sell your home? Assemble a top-tier team to optimize your chances for a swift and profitable sale. This indispensable trio should comprise a seasoned home stager, a skilled real estate photographer, and a Realtor whose top commitment is your interests. In Part 1, we delved into choosing the perfect home stager. Now, let’s navigate the search for the ideal Realtor. Drawing insights from two Realtors I’ve collaborated with, we’ll explore the hallmarks of a commendable Realtor. These professionals not only recognize the worth of staging but also prioritize their client’s needs above all els

Robin Smith- Ten Tips for Choosing Your Realtor

Robin Smith, REALTOR®, RE/MAX Dynamic Properties, Anchorage, AK 99503907.903.8808,  ak.robinsmith@gmail.com

1. While years of experience often equate to increased skills, it is certainly no guarantee that a long-time agent is skilled or, unfortunately, adheres to a Code of Ethics.
   • An agent with less than five years’ experience can be very skilled if they have had past work experiences that required the same kind of skills as selling real estate.
   • Less experience often equates to a smaller client base, so the agent will have more time to devote more attention to you, the buyer or seller.

2. A great Realtor®, regardless of how long in the business, is one that conducts his/her business with the aim of connecting with clients and developing a relationship with them – it’s not just about the immediate transaction. Important qualities are:
   • honesty
   • integrity
   • concentrates on the client’s needs (above and beyond the minimum)
   • communicates regularly with the client

3. Ask the agent what their marketing plan/strategy is and what kind of activities or events can be expected (e.g. Agent and Public Open Houses, Staging Consultation, online & social media marketing).

4. If you’re interviewing several agents, don’t be swayed by the one that says he can list your home for more than the other agents – this is known in the industry as “buying a listing.” You as seller will pay the price for this as the property will likely sit unsold on the market longer than necessary because it is overpriced.

5. A good Realtor® will be knowledgeable about the current real estate market and the trends.
   1. Is it a Seller’s or Buyer’s market? Are prices increasing or decreasing?
   2. The agent should be up on community neighborhood areas and the types of homes and price ranges typical in those areas.

6. If credentials are important to you as buyer or seller, look for designations that are earned through performance and productivity.
   • CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) It takes some time to acquire the CRS designation, so agents in the business for less than five years may not yet have accomplished the required components.
   • GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute)
   • ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative)
   • SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist)
   • There are many more designations out there, but these are the most sought after.

7. If the agent calls herself a Realtor with a capital “R”, that means she’s a member of NAR (National Association of Realtors).
   1. By hiring a Realtor®, you get an agent who formally pledges to support the NAR’s stringent Code of Ethics – this is very important! Honesty and integrity in a Realtor’s character are the foundation for trust.

8. Ask the agent to provide a list of properties they have sold for past clients and their contact information so you can verify client satisfaction for this agent. If the agent won’t do that, then move on to one who will.

9. Ask business associates, friends, co-workers, or family members (i.e. someone you trust) to refer a Realtor® or real estate licensee to you and ask the person referring what their experience was like working with that agent.
10. Personality!  Skills are not the only attribute that’s important. As a buyer or seller, you will be working closely with an agent for several months so you want to choose someone that you like! Two–way communication between Realtor® and client is essential for managing expectations, outcomes, and the future of this relationship.

Kris Bohman

Real Estate Brokers of Alaska. Sales Associate
Cell Phone: (907) 250-6238.  krisbohman@hotmail.com. 

Kris Bohman  is a licensed agent with Real Estate Brokers Of Alaska and a local entrepreneur.

“Real estate agents, politicians, lawyers, insurance agents – are among the least respected professions on earth. But the reason why certain people in certain industries are not respected is because they have wrongly tried to master a craft that does not serve their audience. Take my industry, real estate, for example, since I see it daily and have an intimate understanding of what takes place. Real estate agents work their tail off to master the craft of self-promotion. They practice and practice and practice scripts and dialogues, to use when cold-calling homeowners. They spend thousands of dollars on websites to market themselves, etc., all self-interest orientated, but when it comes to their customers – where the majority of their time should be spent – why have they not worked equally as hard to master the craft of achieving a superior result?

Kris advises home sellers watch out for Realtors that use some of the typical approaches that have given the industry a bad name.  He outlines some fundamental mistakes not to make when selling your home and looking for a good Realtor including:

• Not taking the time to learn how to protect yourself from the biggest threat to your home sale profit and the greatest source of unnecessary risk: Real Estate Greed and Unethical Agents.
• Don’t fall for gimmicks or bait and switch advertising.
• Don’t assume an agent is good just because they do alot of full color advertising or sell alot of homes
• Don’t make pricing decisions based on a “free home evaluation
• If it sounds like “hot air”, it probably is
• Not taking the time to diagnose the proper route of attack

“Here is what I have come to learn: Those who are respected, regardless of industry or person,…, are those who have focused on mastering the craft that will yield their audience a superior result first, not on their own self-interest. Then utilize that mastered craft… to serve only those who can most benefit.”

“To achieve something special for my clients, I want to work with clients who are as committed to the success of their home sale as I am.”   

A great Realtor should be doing some of the following for you:  

• Get an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis to determine the best prescription to maximize the return on your investment.
• From the diagnosis, make an informed, educated decision about how to prepare your home for sale, not based on hype but on research and common sense.
• Recommend home staging, super-cleaning, professional photographs, great social media advertising, eliminating negotiations and low ball offers with a pre-listing inspection, and increasing your negotiating power with a home warranty.

Helpful Resources

Hereare some publications you may find helpful related to home staging.

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Ready to Sell? Let’s Get Your Home Staged

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Would you like to attract your ideal customer and increase your vacation rental income? Whether you have a Bed and Breakfast or other vacation rental, it is important to have your property stand out online to attract the guests you want and make the income you want. Learn more by listening to this interview with Mary Ann Benoit on Seward Public Radio’s “Market Minute” with Nicole Lawrence.

For additional information, see my blog articles on  Increasing your Vacation Rental Income and Bookings with Home Staging and Attract Your Ideal Customer and Increase your Bed and Breakfast income with Home Staging.  You may also like my latest article, Time to Up Your Game at Your Vacation Rental.

These five tips can dramatically increase your Bed and Breakfast or vacation rental income and bookings and attract your ideal guests! I used home staging to make a huge difference at my own B&B and at least doubled my income and bookings. Now my branding attracts guests I love to have stay. Report includes video examples.   Download your report now. Price: $4.99.

Get Your Vacation Rental Staging or Design Consultation Today

Get Your Free Report

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Considering selling your 1980’s home? Want to modernize it to attract younger buyers without breaking the bank? It’s crucial to identify updates that yield a return on investment. Consult with your realtor on worthwhile upgrades.

On one home staging project, I revitalized an ’80s home by painting the interior, updating the carpet, lighting, master bath countertop, and some hardware. I swapped out older furniture for trendy rental pieces, added modern art, and introduced vibrant colors.

The outcome? A rejuvenated, contemporary space that resonated with younger families. It sold on its first day at the full asking price! Which version would you choose?

Are You Ready to Stage Your Home?

Let’s get your house looking like one that buyers will love. Call today for a consultation.

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.

Every initial inquiry about home staging usually begins with, “What’s the cost?”

Likewise, if you offer a service or product, you’ve likely been asked the same.

While the cost of home staging might catch some off guard, it’s essential to consider its value. Thinking it’s “too expensive” is relative. Compared to the price drop on your home? It’s a wise investment!

“Home staging is more expensive than I expected.” More expensive compared to what? Not your first price reduction. 

I completely understand the instinct to seek the best deal possible. A recent client expressed that the staging costs exceeded her expectations, but she chose to proceed. She recalled instances where investing a bit more yielded significant returns and satisfaction.

She’s insightful! She hoped for a specific selling price, yet a realtor confided that, given its present state, her home might fall short by $20K. Homes that don’t outshine the competition often linger on the market, frequently leading to reductions of around $10K. This protraction not only causes stress but also escalates costs, including mortgages and utilities.

The outcome? After staging, her home attracted two offers above the asking price within a day and 15 offers in a week, finally selling at a price $30K beyond her initial expectation!

Her investment in staging yielded a return 30 times its cost. Rather than potentially losing $20K, she sold rapidly, netting an extra $30K. So, is staging an expense you can overlook?

Consider another scenario: After staging a client’s home, it was snapped up on its very first day on the market at the full asking price. Although they didn’t secure an amount above their initial price due to maintenance and repair needs, the swift sale spared them the hassle of countless showings and the stress associated with it. Moreover, they saved a considerable sum on monthly maintenance costs.

“Home staging is too expensive. That belief is going to cost you.”

In another case, I staged a home that had been on the market several years without selling. In the beginning, the owner did not want to spend money on staging and tried to sell it vacant. No luck. They had numerous price reductions. After a year or more they decided to stage with a lower priced staging service that did minimal staging in some of the rooms. No luck. Finally, two years later they contacted me. After doing a professional staging job, the house sold in 6 weeks. That was actually very fast considering the home had been on the market for years and had the stigma of “what is wrong with that house that it has not sold yet”. Think of all the money and time this seller lost in trying to save a little on home staging costs.

How much are you prepared to shave off your sales price for a cut-rate staging service, or by skipping staging altogether?

Is the immediate savings on staging worth the potential loss in your final sale price? What truly matters: a short-term saving or a quicker, more profitable sale in the long run?

Ready to drop your expensive belief?

Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.

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Interested in becoming a home stager? I recommend the Staging Diva Home Staging Training program!

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Here is the crazy story of how I started Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

You never know when inspiration will hit. The question is, will you take action and do something about it?

My  inspiration came in a surprising way, from one of those silly “Facebook” quizzes. You know, one of those games that tell you who you were in a past life or what your handwriting says about you etc. One day I played “What is your true profession”. The answer was “Designer”. Whoa! This made me take a step back and think.

I had been working as a wildlife biologist for 25 years at the time, but back in 1980 had gone to school and gotten a B.A. in Interior Design. It was a passion I always had, but after getting my degree decided to pursue traveling and other interests. Life got in the way and I never did alot with it besides a few jobs, designing my own homes or helping friends.

Later, I pursued another degree in wildlife biology because I love animals and the outdoors, and took another path. Although I enjoyed it, I missed being involved in creative work. Working for the government did not encourage or inspire much creative thinking!

Over time, creative pursuits such as dance, music and art took on more importance in my life. Thoughts of starting another business (I already had a Bed and Breakfast) were in the back of my mind without a real idea of what it would be, just that I wanted something that would bring more fulfillment to my life.

When I got “Designer” as the answer to my true profession, I thought about that path not taken and wondered how my life would have turned out if I had chosen that path years ago. I do not know if it would have been the wiser choice, or if everything I had done was just preparing me for that path now, but something about that quiz totally spurred me to action! Why not now?

And so my business, Northern Lights Home Staging and Design was born on 11-20-2015.

And while I still worked as a wildlife biologist until December 2018 when I retired,  and continued to operate my B&B, I was thrilled to have this new adventure in my life and so glad I took action!!

My business started off focused on home staging, and evolved into adding Interior Design. With  my experience running a Bed and Breakfast, I added  vacation rental design and staging. I became more fascinated with color, and became a certified color strategist and added color consultations. That evolved into learning Edesign and adding online home staging, Interior design and color consulting.

On my first day of retirement from being a wildlife biologist on January 1, 2019,  I discovered fractal art and started creating my own art. Soon I created stores for my art and home decor on Society 6, and Pixels.com. Both stores include art a wide variety art and home decor products.

That evolved into creating wearable art on Le Galeriste.  

In each case, inspiration hit, I took action and I am amazed now at all twists and turns, new adventures in creativity and life that have evolved in less than 5 years from an idea inspired by a simple Facebook quiz.

Sometimes you just never know where your path will lead.

What inspires you and have you taken action?

Whether it is to start a new business, change your existing business, start a new path or hobby… I hope inspiration finds you and you jump in with both feet

Ready to put your home on the market? Assemble a top-notch team to ensure a smooth and profitable sale. Your squad should include an expert home stager, a skilled real estate photographer, and a Realtor who excels in marketing and truly champions your interests.

Wondering how to pick the perfect team? Begin with your home stager. I recommend taking the initiative as a seller to make this selection. Choose the best in the business! For insights on why this matters, check out my blog post titled Why Hire a Professional Home Stager to find out more.

Considering selling your home? Proper home staging can significantly boost your final asking price. In fact, effective staging not only recovers its cost but often yields a profit! Additionally, you might be eligible to deduct staging expenses as advertising costs from your home sale taxes.

However, a word of caution: avoid Realtors offering staging services unless they’re professionally trained. Ineffective staging won’t produce the desired effect. An exceptional Realtor will likely suggest, and perhaps even cover, the cost of a professional home staging consultation.

Exercise caution if your Realtor offers to choose and fund the staging. While it sounds enticing and can lure clients, many just opt for the most affordable stager. Some might even inflate this cost for you. Remember, cheaper options can result in an unappealing presentation, leading to prolonged market time, several price cuts, and mounting monthly expenses.

Often, Realtors request “light staging” or “minor fluffing,” a minimalistic approach to make a property appear staged on a budget. This strategy, which might involve sparse furniture or sporadic décor, isn’t effective. Instead of a charming home, it renders the property peculiar both online and offline.

Your best bet? Personally hire a top-tier stager. This investment, done correctly, offers maximum returns.

For tips on hiring the best home stager, refer to my article, “Five Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Home Stager. 

Learn More About Home Staging

Get Your Home Staging Consultation Today

Secure your online or in-person home staging consultation or service today. Click the images for more information. For comprehensive staging services, please call for a custom quote.

Learn to Sell Fast, For More and With Less Stress

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There Will Only Ever Be One of You

There is only one of you in all the world. There will only ever be one. You are here to do what you alone are meant to do for the world in your unique way. Are you doing it?

One thing I have learned over the last year is that there is a reason I am here. That is to do what I am meant to do in my unique way, because no one else can do it like me.  

It is funny. I was doing a home staging job the other day and the client asked what made me special. It effortlessly came out of my mouth, “Because I am the only one in the universe that can do things uniquely as I do them. I am what makes me special”.

This was not meant to toot my own horn. It just is the way of the world for all of us.

It is just that some of us recognize and celebrate it, and others are still learning the lesson.

We owe it to the universe and those around us to be our authentic selves. Otherwise, we are depriving others of what we were meant to give them as we try to fit in and be someone else instead.

In many ways, this last year was the best year of my life.

Yes, really.

Why? Because it was a year of learning and transformation.

Instead of dwelling on all that was wrong in the world, I decided to learn and grow and make the most of the time I unexpectedly had.

Times were hard in many ways, but I also learned how to deal with those hard times in a different way.

As things are getting back to normal in some ways, I feel differently.

It is like I am in the eye of the storm where all is calm while everything around me seems chaotic as others are trying to get back to “normal” Maybe “normal” wasn’t so great. Is that the place you want to go?

I feel the way I do is because of a program I went through and continue to do, called TCP (Transformational Coaching Program). The program helps you transform from the inside out, and helps you to BE the person you want to be, so you can DO the things you need to HAVE the life you were meant to have.

It helps you get in alignment with what makes you unique and why it matters.

Are you intrigued? Is the little voice in the back of your mind saying “I don’t have time or money for that right now” because you are busy DOING all the things you think are important?

Believe me, I get it. I am the ultimate DOER. I felt the same way.

 I took the program anyway, and am so glad I did.

It is easy to go on for years without changing our lives for the better. For me it was always the struggle between the short-term pain versus the long-term gain. You can always convince yourself you will start tomorrow.

Imagine yourself thinner, healthier, happier, wealthier, and more peaceful. Living a life filled with abundance without worrying all the time about money or accomplishing all the things. If you were fully convinced it would work for you, you would do it, wouldn’t you?

There is only one of you in all the world. There will only ever be one. You are here to do what you alone are meant to do for the world in your unique way. Are you doing it?

Get Aligned With Who You Were Meant to BE

I joined TCP to increase my income for my Interior Design/Home Staging business.

Although my focus was business, the program instead provided incredible value to my health and well-being.

I changed my habits and lost weight and quit smoking. I started to make self care my priority. I stopped DOING my way through life and learned how to BE the person I want to be. I released a lot of stress and anger and learned how to do things differently. I noticed a huge difference in my feeling of peace and well being.

I then took a TCP business class which helped me become more aware and aligned with what makes me unique and how to make that the focus of my business. This shaped my philosophy of “Aligned Design”, which aligns art, science and energy to create your perfect space.  

Even though this business class was all about making more income for my business, the more I learned, the less important money became to me and the more important creating expansion in others lives and being of service became. Ultimately, that increased my business and income, and I was more aligned with what I was meant to be doing so was having more fun!

The programs are run by Jim Fortin and his amazing team of coaches. It includes a private Facebook group where there is onoing coaching and community, weekly content such as workbooks, videos and audios with homework, followed by weekly Facebook lives with Jim and the coaches on a wide variety of topics from health to business. We worked on things like clarity, vision, sub-conscious values, habits, self-integrity, responsibility, commitment, choices, relationships You could also ask for coaching on any topic in the FB group or do a “hot seat” on one of the live calls. The community of people in the group from all over the world is extremely positive and supportive.  

Try it for Yourself

Are you ready for a change?

Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may get paid a small amount for referring you at no additional cost to you.

Get on the Waitlist for the next TCP Program. I think this is the best training I have ever invested in. It made a huge difference for me. I hope it can make a difference for you too.

Check out Jim Fortin’s Podcast. This is how I started and it’s free.

Listen to this podcast episode- Why Your Bad Habits are So Hard To Break. This one really helped me to change some of my eating habits and lose weight, even before joining the program.

This is a great episode too. How the Law of Attraction Repels Money and Abundance you Want.

Listen to the Master Thought Formula, which is amazing!

Create Your Perfect Space to Support Your Journey

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You know it when you see it.

Whether it is the right person or the right house for you, your gut instinct will tell you it is right. Then your logical brain will come up with all the reasons to support the decision you already made.

The person or the home has made an emotional connection with you and that is all she wrote.

If you are the one selling, how do you make the emotional connection with buyers?

Home Staging.

Home staging is the art of decorating a home to sell fast and for top dollar. It works by highlighting the home’s best features and creating an atmosphere that buyers make an emotional connection with, so they can visualize themselves living there. Each year statistics come out that talk about things like staged homes sell 78% faster and for up to 20% more. Of course, this all depends on how well you or the realtor markets the home and if it is priced competitively to start with.

Wondering about the cost? A better question is how much will it cost you not to do it. This video gives a general idea.

What are my Home Staging Options?

Every house is different and there are options for every situation. When searching for a home stager, remember that low cost is not always better. Quality and the end result is what matters. Remember, staging always costs less than your first price reduction if it does not sell, and great staging will often bring in a lot more than your asking price. 

 Professional staging can help sell faster and for a higher price. See my article, “My Top Ten Home Staging Tips” for the most important things to consider. It’s also good to know things you should not do! See my article “How NOT to Sell Your House in Seven Easy Steps” and “Why Your House Won’t Sell” to learn more.

Check out the following options to see what best fits your situation. The prices listed are general estimates for planning. Every house is different and the investment in staging may vary.

Home Staging Consultation

The most cost effective way to stage if you are living in the home while on the market,  is to get a home staging consultation with a pro and then stage it yourself.  They will give you their expert opinion on everything you can do both inside and outside to get top dollar and only recommend things that will give you a good return on your investment of time or money. This is great for folks with small budgets, but who know the value of home staging and are handy. The end result may not be as good as if a pro does it, but it will definitely help!  Your stager may be able to offer a final review after you do the staging to refine the end result.

Every home, no matter how nice can benefit from a consultation. The value comes from the pro’s knowledge of the market, how to stage for the buyer and their un-biased view of your home. When you live there every day, it is impossible for you to have that perspective. Don’t be worried about what they will recommend…. their goal is to get you the most money possible and reduce stress by selling fast. When preparing your house for sale, it is all about the buyer.

The longer the home is on the market, the more showings you have to deal with at a moment’s notice while still paying your monthly home expenses. The longer it is on the market, the more likely your realtor is to recommend a price reduction, which is typically $10,000 each time. The longer it is on the market, buyers wonder what is wrong with the house and are less likely to offer top dollar. Once you set the initial price, it is only downhill from there. It is extremely unlikely you can list it un-staged for one price, then stage it later and raise your price. So do the staging before listing.

Investment.-$400-$850. A 2-hour consultation is about $600. Based on your location, size of your house and if you need a color consultation before painting, it may take more time and run up to $850 or more.

Occupied Home Staging

This is really the way to go if you will be living in the house while on the market. You start with the consultation to come up with a plan for staging. Then working mainly with what you already have, you work together and stage it that same day. Your stager may recommend purchasing a few items such as a new bedding set for the master bedroom, new shower curtains or towels for the bathrooms. Those things make a huge difference in helping the home look fresh, clean, modern and move-in ready to buyers.

Most people have everything we need to stage it beautifully. Often it is just a matter of re-arranging the pieces to make sure buyers know what the room function is,  it looks spacious and modern, the best features of the home are highlighted and it appeals to your target market. Because we work with what you already have, you generally don’t have to rent anything, saving you money.

Investment– $800-$2200. Based on the size and condition of the house, it could take 4-10 hours or more to do the staging and you may have to purchase new bedding, towels etc. It depends on the time needed for your particular house. You should be done in a day though!

Hybrid Home Staging

The same as Occupied Home Staging except you may need a few things, like some furniture pieces if yours is in poor shape. Rental fees are by the month, and my estimate assumes you are paying some rental fees for 2 months.

Investment- $1000-$3500.  Based on the size and condition of the house, it will likely take 6-13 hours to do the staging/de-staging and you may have some costs to purchase new bedding, towels etc. and rental furniture. Anything you will be “using” such as bedding, towels etc. (besides furniture) you need to buy, as they are not available for lease. Your stager needs extra time for sourcing the rentals, potentially packing and delivering some items, being there for delivery and then for de-staging to make sure no damage is done to your house. The staging should be done in a day.

Vacant Home Staging

 Vacant homes don’t sell quickly. They look sad and lonely, don’t make an emotional connection with buyers, there is no sense of scale so no one can tell how big a room is or if their stuff will fit, how the furniture can be arranged, or the purpose of the room. There is nothing to look at but the flaws. As the house sits on the market for months, the utility and mortgage bills add up, plus all those price reductions! Just stage it!  See the article in Alaska Home Magazine, “Staging a Vacant Home- Why It’s Worth the Money”.

Yes, it is expensive. Imagine if you had to completely deliver a house worth of stuff, unpack it and make the place look gorgeous in a day. Plus, your stager needs time to plan what can fit in the home, what looks good together and where to get the items, and may have to pack some  and deliver some of it themselves. They also need to be there to de-stage the house when it sells.

Investment– $3000-$4500. It depends on how much furniture needs to be rented and how long the house is on the market. This estimate is for up to 2-3 months.

Virtual Staging

Virtual home staging is a computer rendering of what a vacant space might look like if it was staged with furniture and accessories. Virtual is better than not staging and can show the buyers the possibilities. It can be helpful for out of state buyers that may not be able to visit in person, real estate investors or for rental properties. It might be great for properties that need a lot of remodeling and the seller chooses to leave that to the buyer. It is also more affordable than renting furniture and accessories for actual staging.

Remember though, as soon as they arrive in person, they are seeing a “vacant” house with all the issues that I mentioned previously. See my article “Virtual Staging and Remodeling, the Pros and Cons” to learn more.

Investment– $125 per room, 2 room minimum for virtual staging.   Varies if you are hiring people from other countries that are getting paid close to nothing to do the renderings. You will get a low quality job that will look just like all the rest on the market. Have a professional do it for you will give more of the look that works in person to make the emotional connection.

How Long Do I Need to Keep it Staged?

Keep it staged until after the inspection is complete and the sale is pretty much a done deal. You don’t want the buyer to come to the house and think, wow, this looks nothing like what I bought, or to have to start over if the deal falls through.  Many staged homes sell within the first month and rentals go into the second month while waiting for the inspection to be complete. I have had some homes sell the first day on the market, but it still takes time for the inspection, etc. My cost estimates were based on two months. There are no guarantees though. No one can predict how long it will take.

Why Do It?

You know staging will help you sell faster and for more. Even if you spend $5000, that is likely half the cost of your first price reduction. You should be able to make the investment back easily at a higher selling price and reduced time (and expenses) on the market. See my article, “Spend a Little- Make a Lot with Home Staging” to learn more.

Don’t be Cheap

I understand you probably don’t want to spend one more cent on the house you are trying to sell.  You may be tempted to go with the lowest cost stager or try partial staging or vignette staging or some other half measure. Your realtor may offer to do it for you. Are they a professional stager? Wouldn’t you rather have them spending their time using their expertise to “market” your house instead?  Halfway measures are a waste of your money, don’t work, and are distracting to buyers.  When I get calls asking me to do those things I always say no. See my article, “Bad Home Staging is like going on a first date to the drive-in for dinner” to learn more. 

I hope you found this helpful! For more info, check out my guides, FAQs for Home Sellers, or FAQs for Realtors, and best of luck on your home sale!! If you need help, I offer home staging consultations as well as virtual staging and remodeling services nationwide and in-person staging in my service area.

You Know What You Need to Do

Give me a call. I am here to help and we can do a consultation online, wherever you live.

Call 907-362-0065 today

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Selling your home? It can be very stressful. Or not.

Regardless of the circumstances, these tips can make selling your home a reason to celebrate rather than a reason to get stressed out.

It doesn’t matter if it is a buyers market or a seller’s market.

It doesn’t matter if you are moving because it is a great opportunity or because you are being forced to.

Selling doesn’t have to be stressful.

Who wants to be ready at a moment’s notice to leave a let a realtor show the house to total strangers?

Who wants to lay awake at night wondering how long it will take, if you will get the price you want or have to take a lot of price reductions?

Who want’s to keep things clean and put away, ALWAYS.

I know, the cat just threw up a fur ball, there are toys everywhere and you have other things to worry about.

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But guess what? It does not have to be so bad if you have a good plan, a good team to help you and you are prepared before you list. Then, it should be smooth sailing. A fast sale for the price you want is something to celebrate, not stress over.

Tips for a Stress-Free Sale Before You List

Stage It

I am sure you know by now that this is a no-brainer. Invest a little. Make a lot.

A stager can help you with all the rest of these tips as well. The fastest way to reduce stress is to be prepared and sell fast for a great price! Let them handle making the appeal to buyers while you get things packed and ready to move.

De-Clutter and Create Space

Your stager can recommend what things to keep out for staging and what to pack up.

• Get rid of things you don’t use and are not moving to your next home.
• Have a garage sale now, NOT after your house is listed. If you do it after listing it gives buyers the sense you are in a hurry to sell and they may make a lower offer.
• Start packing things up for the move and put them in storage. Do not store it in your garage. That space is a selling point buyers are looking for. Let them see it….not a bunch of boxes.
• Donate the things you don’t want and can’t sell to charity.

Create Curb Appeal and Outdoor Living Space

Your stager can recommend what things should be done to the exterior and yard to improve curb appeal.

Typically, this involves doing your yard work, trimming, trees and shrubs, putting everything away, a new welcome mat, and some flowers or art near the door.

Create outdoor living spaces with chairs, tables, and a BBQ grill in a beautiful spot in the yard or on the deck to show the possibilities.

Tips for Stress-Free Sale After You List

• For all showings, keep all lights on so it is light and bright
• Open all the curtains and let the light in.
• Keep the toilet seats down
• Turn off the TV
• Make sure all beds are made, toys put away
• Remove evidence of pets.
• Bathrooms should have only clean towels and all personal items should be out of view and stored in baskets.
• Remove your valuables from sight.
• Create baskets or boxes for daily clutter and toys so you have a place to easily
• Let there be Light- Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
• Turn off the TV.
• Open windows for fresh air
• Make sure all dishes are done or in the dishwasher.

These tips should help you sell fast and for more, so you can rest easy, sell without too much stress and move on to your next adventure.

Sell Your House Faster and For More

 

 

 

 

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When you decide to sell your house, of course, you want to make the most money on the sale and sell fast.  My house is my biggest asset. I bet it is for you too. It is important to hire the best person for the job to get the best results.

After all, if you had a brain tumor, would you go to someone who does cosmetic surgery and expect them to get the job done?

If you needed a tooth pulled, would you ask your neighbor? Maybe if they were a dentist.

Invest in the right person. Make sure they are experienced professionals.

Here are some of the common mistakes I see people make when they call about hiring me to stage their home.

1. Look for the Cheapest Price?

Think all stagers are created equally? It’s just decorating, how hard can it be? You can probably do it yourself.  Those beliefs are going to cost you.  Thousands. Maybe tens of thousands.

How much it costs you now is the last thing you should be thinking of. More important is how much your investment will make you when it sells.

Most home stagers will charge $350-$700 for an initial consultation which is usually about 2 hours. They will tell you everything you can do to prepare your house for the market and stage it yourself if that is what you choose to do. If you want them to stage it for you, which I highly recommend, they charge by the hour or a flat rate. Do it. They are trained to know what will get you the fast sale.

When you are looking for a stager, do not just pick the person with the lowest price. Look for someone experienced, with training that has a professional website that shows a great portfolio and testimonials.

After all, if you find a stager who charges half the price of another, but their work does not sell your house fast and for more, you just wasted a lot of money.

2. Allow Yourself to be Fooled by Meaningless Credentials?

Don’t be fooled by titles and credentials. The home staging industry is not regulated. There are no certifications out there that are regulated by the states or federal government. There are some companies that will say you are certified if you pay them money to take their unregulated classes and will give you a certificate. I am not saying they are not good classes, only that the certification really does not mean anything. After all, your neighbor can decide to call themselves a home stager tomorrow, make some business cards, and go into business. But will they get you a fast sale and a great price?

A professional stager should have some training from a reputable school or trainer. They should have experience. Maybe they are someone with a degree in design (although that knowledge is different than what is needed for home staging).

3. Allow Someone Else to Pick Your Home Stager for You?

Has your realtor said they will find a home stager for you? How much do they know about staging? Maybe they can recommend a good stager for you but I would do your own research and make phone calls. I say this because I get calls all the time from realtors for their clients and all they seem to care about is price. That is mistake number one and not helping you.

4. Not Reviewing the Stagers Website, Portfolio and References?

A professional always has a website. And it should look good and highlight their work in a beautiful portfolio. If it doesn’t, how will your house look when it is done? If they don’t have a website, I would not even consider them. No, A Facebook page does not count:)

They should have great testimonials. Many of them.

They should have an online portfolio. When you look at the after pictures, you should think,  “I want to buy that house”!

5. Let Your Friend with “Good Taste” stage it for you?

No, no, no, no. Just say no.

Decorating is not staging. Stagers use decorating as a tool to take what they know about market conditions, your target market, worthwhile changes that will give you a great return on your investment, and more to emotionally connect to buyers.

I am a professional Interior Designer and know that knowledge tells me little about home staging. Luckily, I am also trained as a home stager. That is why I know what a difference there is between them.  It is not about your decorating style or taste, or that of your friends, It is about the buyer. That is a whole different thing.

 

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