You are now considering putting your home up for sale and are clearing out the clutter and throwing out those things and at the same time, mulling over and deciding what possessions that you are going to take with you.
It’s a huge job and can be frustrating at times.
However, don’t despair, there are people who do this for a living and are what they call “junk removers” “organizers” and “stagers” who can assist you with all your tasks, if you find it too overwhelming to handle.
You will have to work in conjunction with that person or persons who will be helping you to decide what to keep and what to throw away.
This can be a long and drawn out process, especially if you have been in your home for 20 or more years and have accumulated so much “stuff.”
However, “biting the bullet” as they say and just starting to do it on a daily basis will minimize the pressure on you in waiting until the last minute in accomplishing these arduous tasks.
Also, you can decide what to throw away and what you could potentially give away as a charitable contribution (ask your accountant for advice) and always make sure you ask for a receipt for any items that you plan to give away.
You can also plan a tag/garage sale yourself or hire a professional to handle all the details and you would pay a percentage of the dollars taken in or a flat amount, to hire that individual or company.
Negotiations will almost always come into play, but there is always a cost in hiring a professional tag sale person.
Does your home need any repairs, painting, etc.
Will you need an inspection (if your home is over 20 years old, I recommend it) to determine and address what repairs will be needed, etc.
As I have mentioned in previous articles, it is money well worth spent!
No one wants to lose a potential purchaser, when you could take care of any issues in advance of the buyer’s inspection. No one wants surprises!
After all the stuff is removed, then you have to decide if staging your home or apartment will be a worthwhile endeavor and will it aid you in selling and also potentially obtaining more money for your place.
It really depends on what your goals and objectives are in the process.
Staging can truly enhance the look and feel of your home and especially when all the clutter is removed and now you have the furniture that provides the appeal and look that an interested buyer is yearning for.
Painting a picture, sort of speak and creating a “saleable” environment for the purchasers and sparking interest because you have done your homework and “staged” your place to make it more desirable for all the potential qualified purchasers, who are browsing and searching the internet.
Having professional photos taken as well as virtual tours with music will assist in getting maximum exposure and attracting more “eyeballs” to your property listing
Making sure the floors are clean, and if hardwood, sanded and polished will complement and enhance whatever furniture, coffee table, area rugs, etc. you might have or temporarily lease.
Does your home need painting?
Obviously, you should perform this task prior to doing any staging; removing carpeting, sanding or polyurethane your floors, after you paint, so you will not have to remove or clean your floors after the fact.
If you are going to lease furniture, make sure the groupings will properly match the other existing home furnishings or if starting from scratch, use the most neutral colors and add accents, such as colorful vases or paintings etc. or other items that will make the look “pop” and be inviting to potential purchasers.
The higher the priced property the more staging should come into play, even if it means, moving furniture and furnishings around or eliminating some, just to give the interior the optimum look and appeal.
You should not have a specific personal feel to the setup, but more to the appeal of the majority of future buyers.
Nothing too outlandish, that maybe you think is fantastic, but the next buyer(s) would not find it appealing.
Make believe that you are the purchasers and surmise and imagine from their eyes, when staging your home and make it attractive to the majority of those who will view it.
Hiring a professional in many instances or going online and deriving ideas and information will be your best bet at setting up your home for sale and attracting the most qualified purchasers.
Phil Raices is the owner/broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 7 Bond St. in Great Neck. He has earned designations as a Graduate Realtor Institute and Certified International Property Specialist.
He can be reached by email: Phil@TurnkeyRealEstate.Com or by cell (516) 647-4289 to answer any of your questions or article suggestions.
