You would never go on a first date wearing a pair of tattered sweatpants and a T-shirt covered in mustard stains, so why would you try and sell a home when it is not looking its best?
It is always about first impressions, whether it is interviewing for a new job, going on a date, or even selling a home.
“There is only one chance — that’s right — one chance to make that all important first impression — and that first impression starts with curb appeal,” says Cheryl-Anne Priest, the founder of Inviting Spaces, a Calgarybased home staging company.
Hiring a home stager is like hiring a fashion stylist, but for your house. They can take the mundane and turn it mesmerizing with just a few simple modifications.
A polished looking house with a well-landscaped yard is going to appeal to more buyers than one with cracked paint and a shaggy lawn.
“Today’s buyers are not looking for work, they want move-in ready, lifestyle living,” says Priest.
“For sellers who have the time and energy to put in sweat equity, it is amazing what can be accomplished in a weekend,”
Priest has also partnered with Chinook Learning, instructing an interactive course on home staging and how it can maximize the return on investment.
But, be careful not to go overboard on these types of repairs.
“Don’t over-do and don’t over-spend,” says Becki Mravunac, co-owner of Ambiance Home Stagers.
Mravunac recommends sticking to a budget, figure out what is going to give the best return on your investment and stick to that.
“If you don’t take care of the outside appearance of your home (no matter how lovely it may be inside), you run the risk of buyers passing up on viewing your home if the outside turns them off,” says Mravunac.
So slap on a fresh coat of paint to get that house “first date” ready and watch the offers roll in.
