Market research is the first thing you should do before developing a plan for staging your house if you want to make top dollar on your home sale. I know, market research sounds boring. Why should you care?

 Here’s why:

1. Understanding the Target Audience: Market research will help you understand who the potential buyers are in your area. Knowing your audience means you can stage your home in a way that appeals directly to their preferences and needs.

2. Pricing Insights: Through research, you can ascertain the average selling prices for homes in your area, ensuring you don’t undervalue or overprice your property.

3. Identify Trends: Market research can reveal current home design trends that buyers are gravitating towards. By staging your home in line with these trends, you increase its appeal.

4. Stay Competitive: By understanding what other sellers are offering, you can ensure your home has a unique selling proposition that differentiates it from other properties on the market.

5. Minimize Time on Market: Homes that are staged in line with buyer preferences tend to sell faster, reducing the amount of time your property stays on the market.

6. Optimal Use of Resources: Instead of randomly buying or renting furniture and decor for staging, market research helps you invest wisely in enhancements that are most likely to yield a return on investment.

7. Anticipate Buyer Concerns: Research might reveal common concerns or objections from homebuyers in your region, allowing you to address these proactively through your staging and marketing efforts.

8. Increase Return on Investment: Homes that are staged effectively, considering the preferences of the target market, often fetch higher offers from potential buyers. Market research can show you what type of finishes and amenities similar houses have.

9. Professional Perception: Demonstrating that you’ve conducted thorough market research and staged your home accordingly can instill confidence in potential buyers, positioning you as a thoughtful and professional seller.

10. Tailored Marketing Strategies: Once you’ve gathered insights from your research, you can tailor your marketing strategies to highlight the features that matter most to potential buyers in your area.

In essence, market research ensures that the effort and resources you put into staging your home align with what potential buyers are looking for, thereby enhancing the likelihood of a quick and profitable sale.

What is Your Price Range

Look at the range of prices. If you want to be on the top end of the range, your home needs to look as good and better than the other homes in that part of the range to stand out. That is where home staging can really help you outshine the competition.

Who is Your Target Market

To pinpoint your target market, consider the nearby businesses and educational institutions. Local businesses might appeal to employees or those drawn to their services, while proximity to schools can attract families with young children. Nearby medical facilities could be a magnet for healthcare professionals or even for those prioritizing health and convenience, like the elderly. Consider: Is your home perfect for retirees looking to downsize? Or is it more suited for first-time homeowners or millennials? The aesthetic preferences of these groups will differ significantly. Remember, the décor and color palette that resonates with one demographic might not strike a chord with another, influencing your staging decisions accordingly.

What Investments will give you a Good Return

Another reason to do market research is to look at what type of amenities similar homes have such as countertops and flooring.  So, for example, if you are going to be updating your countertops before selling, and everyone in the area has granite countertops, it probably won’t be a good idea to update with Formica, or to invest in granite if everyone else has Formica. In the first case your home will not look as nice as the competition, and in the second, your house will look nicer but will not likely get back the return on the investment you made with your sale price. 

How to do Market Research

1. Hire a Professional Stager: Consider investing in a professional home stager right from the start. They typically conduct their own market research and possess a keen understanding of what appeals to buyers in your specific locale.

2. Understand the Demographics: Analyze the typical buyer profile for your area, focusing on age, family size, income levels, and professions to determine whom you’re staging for.

3. Analyze Local Real Estate Listings: Browse local real estate platforms to gauge how similar homes are staged. Look for dominant styles, colors, and arrangements.

4. Visit Open Houses: Gain firsthand insights by attending local open houses. Observe successful layout and decoration strategies.

5. Seek Feedback: Engage with friends, neighbors, or colleagues who’ve recently purchased homes. Their preferences can provide staging direction.

6. Consult Real Estate Agents: Tap into the expertise of real estate professionals to gain insights on market trends and effective staging methods.

7. Survey Potential Buyers: Conducting informal surveys or discussions can help delve deeper into the needs and desires of potential buyers.

8. Check Online Forums and Groups: Online platforms like Reddit or local Facebook groups offer genuine insights from local homebuyers.

9. Consider Local Amenities: Research nearby institutions like schools or hospitals, and consider the types of families or individuals they might attract.

10. Study Interior Design Trends: Keep abreast of current design trends to ensure your staging feels modern and inviting.

11. Analyze Previous Feedback: Reflect on any feedback if your home has been previously evaluated or listed. Such insights can guide refinements in staging.

Executing market research before staging ensures your home resonates with a broad spectrum of potential buyers, increasing the likelihood of a swift and profitable sale.

Ready to Sell?

A professional home stager will do market research on your home before staging, and consult with your Realtor if you have one on the expected target market. They are experts at decorating to make an emotional connection with your target buyers. Get started with a home staging consultation today. 

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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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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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Home staging helps buyers see their dream life before them.

Helping buyers see is the key.

You may have heard that when people buy homes, they buy on emotion rather than logic. In the past I wrote about how Selling Your Home is Not About Selling Your Home, it is about selling a dream.

You can’t sell a dream if the buyer can’t see it. That is why vacant houses are hard to sell. Very few can “see the dream” in an empty house. They just look cold and uninviting.

Being able to see is just important in an occupied home.

Most people can’t visualize very well. They can’t picture that purple room of yours with white walls. They can’t picture that bedroom you converted to a playroom as a bedroom. They can’t visualize that home gym you created as a child’s room. And, they can’t really visualize how much space the room really has when you have so much stuff in it. Or, if it is totally empty.

 If they can’t see it, in their mind’s eye or with their real eyes, they probably won’t buy it.

How can home staging help buyers see so you can sell your house fast and for the most possible?

Show Me the Money

Home staging helps buyers see the value of what you are offering.

Value partially comes in the number of bedrooms and whether a property can be income producing for example.

If you have converted a bedroom to another function such as an office or gym,  it is important to stage it as a bedroom. The price of your home is partially based on number of bedrooms. If it does not look like a bedroom, buyers won’t see it as a bedroom.

Buyers are often looking for a home that has income producing potential, such as a rental unit with a separate entrance. If you have a space that could be income producing, stage it that way to show the possibility.

Show me the Dream

People buy to create a better life than they have now. You can show them the possibility of more outdoor living space, more beautiful decor, more room for their kids to play or for a growing family, more storage, room for a home based business or work out area and more with staging!

Know your target market and their dreams. Show the possibilities!

Can You See It?

A professional home stager is an expert at staging a home so people can see themselves living their dreams there. They will research your area and determine a target market to stage for.

They can see it, and can help others to see it.

Help Buyers See What They Need

I would like to show you how you can sell your house fast and for more by helping buyers see a better life in your for sale home. Get started with a home staging consultation today.

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Because you get what you pay for.

I know, you may have looked into hiring a home stager, but it turned out to be more expensive than you were expecting.

Have you fully considered what it may cost you not to stage? How about 10K on your first price reduction for starters.

Knowing you should stage it, you may have decided to just do it yourself. How hard can it be?

Home Staging Tasks You Can and Should Do Yourself

Yes, there are many things you can do yourself to save money and prepare your house for the market.

• You can clean like it has never been cleaned before! It will pay off.
• You can declutter, and pack up 50% of what you normally live with.
• You can repaint using colors that will help you sell your house for more.
• You can do repairs and upgrades.
• You can create great curb appeal by making sure your yard is clean, trimmed and everything is put away.

But Here’s the Thing

• Do you know what paint colors will help you sell for more and which might decrease your sales price?
• Do you know what things are best to pack up and what is best to leave out for staging? Most home sellers pack away too much or the wrong things.
• Do you know which repairs and upgrades will pay for themselves and which ones wont?
• Are you an expert on the market? Do you know who your target market is and how to emotionally connect with them through decorating, space planning and other things the pros are trained to do?
• Can you see your home objectively with the fresh eyes of someone who has never seen the home before? Really? How is that possible?
• Are you an expert at what a realistic price range is for your house and how your house should be staged for that price range?
• Can you emotionally detach from your house as if it belonged to someone else, and see all the things in it with fresh eyes? Wow, you’re good!
• Are you up on who the different trades people are in the area that do a great job?
• Are you an expert at decorating? How about decorating for buyers? That is a whole different thing.
• Do you have an inventory or access to things to stage your home that look new, modern, and will highlight your homes best features for buyers? Considering you are moving; you are unlikely to want to purchase things that might be needed for staging.
• Does your house have odors that you can’t detect because you are so used to them that may turn buyers off?

The Pros and Cons

You may be tempted to do it yourself in order to save a little. Hiring a pro can increase what you can make on your sales price by tens of thousands of dollars. It can also cost you that if you don’t.

Home staging always costs less than your first price reduction. Those are usually about 10k each time. That can add up to some substantial losses if your “home staging” is not up to par.

And how can it be, if you are not a pro. After all, you are probably a nurse, or accountant or IT person or whatever your profession is. Do you think someone with no training or education could walk into your workplace and do your job as good as you could?

How About Hiring a Cheap Home Stager?

Are you thinking, OK fine, I will hire a home stager and will look for the cheapest one?

You could go with a cheap stager. Have you fully considered how much money you will be losing if their staging job does not result in a faster sale or a higher price? If it sits on the market for months, how many tens of thousands in price reductions are you willing to take?

A professional home stager is worth every penny you will pay. It is worth it.

Ready to Sell for More?

Ready to professional stage your home so you can get the best sales price? Get started with a home staging consultation today.

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Getting a house ready for sale is about maximizing asking price by emphasizing the best features of your home. It’s also important to know exactly what steps to take when putting it up for sale, now that we’re dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. These resources will tell you which improvements are necessary to attract buyers’ attention, and what precautions you should be taking right now.

Trying to maximize your home-selling efforts? Let Northern Lights Home Staging and Design help you stage your home!

Follow COVID-19 Guidelines

• Deep Cleaning the Home During COVID-19

Whether you choose to do the cleaning yourself or hire a service, make sure COVID-19 precautions are being taken.

• Open House Precautions to Take During the COVID-19 Outbreak

You can still plan for open houses as long as everyone involved is practicing social distancing.

• The Real Estate Industry Turns to Virtual Tours to Keep It Moving Forward

In addition to in-person viewings, another option of showing your home is giving the buyers virtual tours.

• 7 Apps That Will Help You Prepare to Sell Your Home

When putting your home up for sale during the pandemic, look to tech to give your home-selling efforts a boost.

• Find a Quality Smartphone

If your current device is outdated and running slowly, a newer-model smartphone can help you get more value from your home-selling apps.

Add Value with Upgrades

• Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrades with the Best ROI

The majority of the value in most homes is found in the kitchen and bathrooms, which is why it’s important to make a good impression in those rooms.

• Best Flooring Options to Increase Home Value

Depending on which type you choose, your home’s flooring can add to the overall value of the home.

• 5 Beautiful Neutral Paint Colors for Walls

A fresh coat of paint is a great way to refresh your home’s interior, and buyers will appreciate a neutral shade.

• 10 Cheap Upgrades for a Fast Home Sale

Making inexpensive improvements can also contribute to the overall asking price.

Learn About Effective Staging

• Consult with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Work with a company that provides award-winning and unique home staging and design services.

• 5 Steps on How to Declutter Your House for Sale

Decluttering your belongings will free up more space, giving buyers a better idea of what the home truly looks like.

• Depersonalizing Your Home

After getting rid of unwanted items, you’ll need to move personal belongings out of the home, in case buyers don’t share their taste with yours.

• Lighting to Stage Your Home for Sale

All your staging efforts can go to waste if your home isn’t lit well enough.

Show Off the Exterior

• Top 32 Best Curb Appeal Ideas for Every Budget

You don’t have to pay top dollar for curb appeal projects to make the home’s exterior look inviting to potential buyers.

• Give Your Home a Warm, Inviting Glow with These Curb Appeal Lighting Tips

Lighting doesn’t just matter inside the home. Make sure the exterior is well-lit so that buyers can see everything it has to offer.

Getting a home listing ready during the coronavirus means getting creative, but you don’t have to go overboard. Refer to this resource guide to gain a better understanding of recommended COVID-19 guidelines and home improvements. You should also discuss possible strategies with your real estate agent when making any decisions during the selling process.

Written by by Suzie Wilson of Happier Home for Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Ready to Sell Someone a Dream?

I would like to show you how you can sell your house fast and for more by appealing to your target market’s dreams for a better life. Get started with a home staging consultation today. 

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You may have heard that when people buy homes, they buy on emotion rather than logic. What does that mean to you as a home seller? How can you sell your home when what people are really buying from you is not clear?

They may have a checklist of all the things they are looking for, but when it comes right down to it. they buy because of the way the home makes them feel and they can envision themselves living a happy life there. When you sell a home, it is not about the home. It is about the dream of the life that can be lived in that home.

So what does that really mean? They can envision themselves living there, and they like what they see in the mind’s eye. The life they envision living there is better or different than what they have now. You are offering them the possibility of expansion….or something more.

What makes it better, or more expansive? It’s a step up, something bigger,  better or different.  That can be something tangible such as more space, better finishes, more outdoor living space, a nicer neighborhood, better schools, a shorter commute, more storage, etc. Or maybe a different lifestyle, such as in the city or the country.

It can also be intangible, such as a more peaceful life, a greater sense of well being and happiness, better family relationships, more time for themselves to do hobbies or self care or fulfilling dream of starting a home based business or working from home.

How Can you Sell a Dream?

How can you sell a dream? Home Staging. A professional home stager will research your market, determine your target market and they are experts at staging a home to appeal to those people and their dreams.

For example, if the home is nearby great schools, you will likely attract families with school age children. Those buyers want peaceful, happy home lives that are safe for their kids and appeal to their ideal visions of family life. A stager can set up the home to promote a vision of that life.

Nearby hospitals or doctors’ offices may attract nurses and other health care professionals, or it could also appeal to people that maybe are older and have health conditions and want to be nearby. A stager can create a home that shows a possible home office or a home that looks comfortable and easy to move around safely in for older buyers.

Different décor and colors appeal to different age groups and markets, and stagers are experts at appealing to the correct age groups based on your target market.

They know how to make a room look spacious, yet feel comfortable, highlight or create areas for crafts or hobbies, or self care. They can turn an awkward space into a great place for a home office. Or they just highlight how a certain area is a peaceful place to have coffee in the morning or get away to read a book.

Ready to Sell Someone a Dream?

I would like to show you how you can sell your house fast and for more by appealing to your target market’s dreams for a better life. Get started with a home staging consultation today.

Buy Now

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Interested in become a home stager? Try the Staging Diva Home Staging Training. This is what I did and highly recommend it!

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Purchasing a home with the goal of renting it for extra income requires taking a hard look at the property. Appealing to renters is essential for your success — an investment property provides no return if it sits empty. Chances are, you face stiff competition for renters. If the supply outpaces the demand, you must devote time, energy, and money in order to secure a consistent return on the investment. A little paint and new bathroom fixtures can go a long way to show a renter that you care about the property.

Location, Location, Location

Purchasing an investment property and the odds of renting it greatly depend on the location. For example, a rental property near a college may attract students during fall and spring semesters, but it could remain empty during the summer. A vacation rental home located at a popular beach can sit unused during the winter.

There are several factors for consideration when it comes to the location of a rental property, including:

• The neighborhood
• Schools
• Nearby stores, parks, and attractions
• Crime statistics
• Property taxes

Whether you will ever use the space, like that of a vacation home, can help determine where you buy. If the investment is simply to obtain a financial return, then the location must offer the amenities renters demand.

Green Initiatives and Smart Home Technology

According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, a recent study shows that 78 percent of renters have an interest in recycling options. An additional 65 percent have an interest in sustainability and green initiatives.

Among the most compelling smart home technology for renters is:

• Video monitoring
• Door locks
• Thermostat
• Lighting
• Electrical outlets

Start-up costs for some smart home technologies may limit you to only those features you can afford. It is also important to keep in mind that not all renters will understand how smart home technologies work. Balancing the demands of renters against your budget is most definitely a challenge. It requires researching the best technologies and green initiatives for your specific property. Incorporating a few technologies and initiatives is better than none when it comes to competition for renters. You just might find that you like them enough to incorporate them into your own home!

Spruce, Stage, and Secure

It is important to get your property in great shape by painting, sprucing up curb appeal, and staging it for potential renters. Consider replacing carpet with laminate flooring for a more durable and stain-resistant floor. Replace faucets tarnished with mineral deposits with new, more modern looking ones. In the kitchen, upgrade cabinet knobs and toss any that show wear from years of use.

Once you’ve painted, planted new shrubbery, and staged the home with decorative items, take some photographs. High-quality photography of clean, clutter-free rooms can help you to market the property, while poor-quality photography may do just the opposite, and turn potential renters away.

It might also help to have a home security system installed to help tenants feel more at ease in a new neighborhood. This shows them that you care about your tenants’ safety and that you’ve taken an extra step to ensure they feel safe at home. Some vacation rental management companies will even install digital locks if you partner with them. A property manager may also add an extra layer of security by screening your tenants to prevent fraud and damage to your property.

Investing in the Future

Purchasing a home to convert into a rental property can provide you with a financial nest egg for your future. At the same time, a renovated or upgraded home can do wonders for a neighborhood and create a safe place for a family to call home.

From a complete remodel to simply upgrading fixtures, turning a vacant home into a place for creating memories is a great way to attract renters. By showing the house some love, renters will take note that you value their needs and care about the property. Both are important factors that can result in you soaring above any competition.

Written by guest blogger Suzie Wilson from Happier Home. Suzie is an Interior Designer and author.

Attract renters to your Investment Property

Home staging is key to creating an investment property that attracts renters, whether is is a vacation rental or other rental property. Stage the property to get great photos or try virtual staging to show the possibilities for properties that will be rented without furniture. Learn more about how home staging works and what it costs in this video.

Planning to make your new property a vacation rental or Bed and Breakfast? Try a Vacation Rental Staging Consultation. As a successful Bed and Breakfast owner over the last 18 years, I doubled my income and bookings and attract my ideal customer with home staging, Interior Design and website branding. Learn More.

Did you know the right paint colors can help you sell your home for more? Or less if you pick the wrong colors? 

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Now that your home is ready to sell, you’ll soon be receiving money as opposed to spending it, right? Well, to get your home in tip-top shape and really grab those buyers’ attention, you’ll need to spend a little to impress a lot. Before you start to panic, rest assured that there are many budget-friendly ways to get your home ready to sell that won’t cost you a pretty penny.

Consider Small Renovations

There are definitely several simple ways to get your home ready to sell, but there are a few more extensive renovation projects you can take on first to really add the wow factor, all without spending a ton. For example, you can remodel your kitchen on a small, budget-friendly scale by painting cabinets, adding new hardware, or updating appliances. Another area of your home to look into is something you use every single day – the floor. Many buyers have hardwood floors on their list of things they are looking for in a home, but if your budget isn’t flexible, replace the floors in public areas such as the kitchen and living room. Many major retailers like Home Depot have seasonal sales and promotions that can make flooring installation a definite possibility without your wallet taking a hit. Alternatively, you can seek out niche flooring distributors that offer daily specials and a more customized shopping experience.

 Make It Clean and Clutter-Free

When a buyer views your home, they’ll be looking at everything, so it might be hard for them to imagine the space for what it truly is if the coffee table is covered in trinkets and closets are packed full. De-clutter the home to create the illusion of space and give buyers a chance to picture their life there, not yours. It won’t cost a thing, and it can speed up the sale. You’ll also get a head start on packing.

Once you’ve de-cluttered, you’ll need to complete a thorough house cleaning. That even means getting down to the nitty gritty like wiping down baseboards and giving your blinds a solid dusting. You’ll also want to make vacuuming a daily chore, preferably with a HEPA-filtered vacuum so you’re picking up pet dander and allergens. If you’re in the market for a new vacuum, look for deals on easily stored cordless models to help make this chore a breeze.

Stage on a Smaller Level

Hiring a professional to stage your home can be pricey, but there’s no need to dish out the dough when you can stage on a smaller level. Simple changes, such as adding a ceiling fan, updating window treatments, placing cheap throw pillows on furniture, or replacing your decorative bath towels with ones that are crisp white, can make a huge difference. The best part is that many of the changes can be made for under $100 if you shop around for deals at retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond. Just use Bed Bath & Beyond coupons and promo codes to find discounts online.

If you choose to do the staging yourself, every home can benefit from a home staging consultation with a pro to give you a great checklist of everything you can do yourself to get your home ready for the market.

Welcome Them In

The front door doesn’t seem too important at first glance, but it’s the first thing the buyer will see. Plus, painting the front door is a cheap way to give your home a polished look, and you can do it without the help of a professional painter by following along with a tutorial. Before you go out and buy a gallon of candy apple red paint, take note that the current trends are leaning more toward darker hues of gray and blue, or even black. According to MarketWatch, black doors are becoming popular and can add up to $6,000 in home value. And to save money on paint, make note of sales and coupons from companies like Sherwin Williams.

Channel Your Green Thumb

You’ve seen plenty of homes with beautiful landscaping, and perhaps your thumb even turned green with envy. However, if you live in a climate where the temperature is scorching hot, you might feel as if your landscaping options are limited. The key is to adapt to your climate, and this means using flowers and plants that are drought-tolerant, such as purple coneflower, autumn joy, manzanita, or coyote brush. Rather than revamp your entire yard, add color and greenery in areas that are sparse to save both time and money. Look for sales at nearby nurseries or home improvement stores to help stretch your dollar.

Selling your home doesn’t have to be expensive. There are small ways to get your home ready to sell, such as de-cluttering, upgrading the entryway, adding greenery, staging, and making small renovations. Making these changes will make a huge difference in the eyes of a buyer, not to mention a small one on your wallet.

Written by guest blogger Suzie Wilson from Happier Home. Suzie is an Interior Designer and author.

Did you know the right paint colors can help you sell your home for more? Or less if you pick the wrong colors? 

Get your Free Report

Get a Home Staging Consultation Today

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Prices subject to change without notice. This post may contain affiliate links.

Follow My Home Staging , Design and Color boards on Pinterest