Sellers often ask me if there is a benefit to staging their home.  The answer is a resounding YES!  Research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and our “real world” local experience is indisputable: staging adds value, reduces the time on market and produces a positive ROI.   Here are the 10 Reasons to Stage Your Home for selling:

1.       You will make more money.   A 2015 NAR survey found the majority of buyers were more likely to offer higher prices for a staged home compared to a similar home.

2.       Your home will sell faster.  Professionally staged homes spent 72% less time on the market, according to a survey from the Real Estate Staging Association.

3.       Buyers can visualize themselves in the home.  81% of buyers it was easier to visualize the staged property as their future home.   

4.       Your online photos will look better.  Over 95% of home buyers look online.  This is where you make your first impression and where potential buyers decide whether to make an appointment.  Professional staged homes stand out and generate more buyer interest. 

5.       Staging helps defuse other property flaws.  2015 NAR survey revealed 28% of buyers viewing a staged home overlook other property faults.  The eye is naturally drawn to clean, well-appointed furnishings and away from minor imperfections.

6.       Personal photos and memorability distract your buyer from viewing the home.  Remember, you are trying to help a buyer see themselves living in this property, not as a guest amidst your family’s personal life story.

7.       The cost of staging is less than your first price reduction.  Some sellers will say “I’ll give it a try without staging and then if it doesn’t sell, I’ll stage it.”  This is a huge mistake.  Days on market tick on.  By the time you have determined you need to stage, your best prospects have already seen your home and formed their opinion.   You are looking at a price reduction just to attract new interest.

8.       Sellers are not objective about their own homes.  The chinoiserie fabric you selected to match the floral chintz may be your pride and joy, but the buyer may not share your design style.  A professional stager will select a neutral pallet which appeals to a broad range of prospective buyers.

9.       You will save time and reduce your anxiety.  Selling your home can be stressful and time consuming.  A professional stager will manage the process for you so that you can devote your energy into your new home.

10.   Your Realtor will support you 100%.  Real estate professionals know that staged homes attract higher offers and faster sales.  We are delighted to help facilitate the process, make appointments for you, meet painters or handyman at your home and help you arrange an estate sale.

Janet Horlacher

Principal

Janet McAfee Inc.

(Property in photograph is 9044 Clayton Road, professionally staged by Property Enhancements LLC)

Have you ever heard a graduation speaker declare "follow your passion and you will be successful?"  What if you don't know your passion?  What if you are just starting out, trying to figure out your career path and you don't know your "passion?"  I think some things in life are not always "love at first sight."  And, I think selling real estate is not necessarily "love at first sight."  

If you speak with successful Realtors, many will tell you that it took time and perseverance to excel.  Moreover, they did not become passionate about selling real estate until they had stuck with it, worked really hard and begun to see the fruits of their labor.  The passion came after the hard work.  I believe the real estate profession is about perseverance.  Successful Realtors are committed every day; they keep abreast of market activity; they touch base with their clients regularly and they are passionate about helping their clients. These are the Realtors who succeed and love their job.  They become passionate about their job when they see the benefits of their hard work and the lives they have touched.

I believe real estate is one of the most rewarding careers you can choose.  It requires a great deal of perseverance.  Perseverance is the key ingredient to success and self fulfillment.

- Janet

Principal, Janet McAfee Real Estate

I attended a training class on the topic of negotiation. I heard a wonderful story which demonstrates why we as agents should look for common interests (not just our client’s position) when negotiating contracts and building inspections.  Here’s the story:

“A mother walked into her kitchen to find her 2 children screaming and fighting over the last orange.  Exasperated, she grabbed the orange, sliced it in half and gave each child half the orange.  Immediately upon doing so, the children began crying and screaming even louder.  Bewildered by this, she asked her children what’s the matter now?  The first child said she needed the pulp of one orange to complete her science project.  The second child explained he needed the juice of one orange for his brownie recipe.”

The mother had only understood each child’s position – “I want the orange.”  Had the mother understood each child’s interest in obtaining the orange, each child would get what each child needed.  If we look deeper than just our client’s position and figure out their interest in wanting something, we may find a “win-win” solution.

-Janet Horlacher
 Principal 
 Janet McAfee Real Estate 

The first page of the Seller’s Disclosure Statement asks for Subdivision or Condominium association information and contacts.   Please take the time to review and remind the sellers to answer all of the questions.

-Mary Beth Gold
Closing Manager 

As a listing agent, pre-empt last minute issues by recommending that the seller request detailed invoices and lien waivers from contractors reflecting repairs performed. Collect the paid invoices and lien waivers a week before closing whenever possible.  Often, by collecting detailed receipts early, the parties will be alerted to any repair items accidentally overlooked or misunderstood, and contractors may be scheduled for another visit prior to closing.  It is rare for a lender to approve last minute credits from sellers to buyers, due to tightened lender guidelines and policies, so have your contractors available and avoid some walk-through woes.

-Cathy Noll
Vice President/Broker 

Encourage your buyers to purchase a Boundary and Improvement (Stake) Survey. The survey locates all boundaries, improvements, easements, encroachments, and building lines, if applicable.  The information content of the stake survey is invaluable to identify defects and without an accurate survey, title companies will not give full survey coverage.

-Mary Beth Gold
 Closing Manager 

In recent weeks, I’ve observed a flurry of price reductions and I believe we are seeing great values for the savvy buyer.   The end of summer often brings about price correction (and sometimes underpricing).  Perhaps sellers don’t want to face the winter with the thought of an unsold property.  Now is the time for buyers to capitalize on this value pricing.  Too often, buyers focus only on new listings to the exclusion of older inventory.  I believe there are great deals to be made with older listings which are now priced at incredible values. 

Janet Horlacher
Principal
Janet McAfee Real Estate 

Recently, the Ladue News did a feature on how to boost your homes appeal when placing it on the market.  Janet McAfee Top Performing Agent, Crissy Chartrand offered tips on how to best stage your home.  Here is her advice:

PICTURE PERFECT.  Depersonalize your home of family photos and children’s artwork so buyers can see themselves living there.

CRYSTAL CLEAR. Declutter desks, countertops and floors of excess paperwork, toys and accessories.

BRIGHT LIGHT. Minimize window treatments to let in more natural light.

RIGHT FIT.  Scale furniture to the size of the room: large furniture works for substantial spaces and vice versa.

IN FOCUS.  Simplify your décor by eliminating any large light fixtures or furniture that may distract from the room’s spaciousness and overall   appeal.

For more information on Crissy Chartrand go to http://www.janetmcafee.com/agent/Christine-Chartrand/schchart/

Chrissy Chartrand, one of McAfee’s top agents, recently gave her advice on a question posed by Town & Style Magazine.  They asked her, “What do you recommend if someone has to put a house up for sale in the winter months?”

Her response was both honest and encouraging.  She stated, “Fewer listings in winter, means less competition. Buyers are motivated. Keep the temperature warm so buyers are comfortable. A fire in the fireplace can feel very welcoming and be sure you have photos displayed showing what your yard looks like during the spring and summer.”

To learn more about Chrissy and her listings visit -http://www.janetmcafee.com/agent/Christine-Chartrand/schchart/

The Town & Style recently asked the opinion of one of our seasoned agents, Bert Boyce.  Town & Style posed the question below and asked how Bert would respond should she be confronted this question in the home buying/selling process.

 “I'm thinking of turning my living room into part of the kitchen family room - will it hurt re-sale if I don't have a formal living room?”

Bert answered this question stating, “Many buyers aren't interested in a formal living room; however, it also depends on the style, size and current layout of the home.  Consult with a Realtor before making changes.”

For more opinions to questions like this contact Bert Boyce at http://www.janetmcafee.com/agent/Bert-Boyce/sroboyce/