In the past, homebuyers would see a seller’s home pretty much as they lived day to day – with a messy kitchen, well used furniture, and clutter throughout the house. Sprucing up a home to appeal to a homebuyer was a foreign concept at the time. Today the real estate industry has learned that by making over or “staging” a home before it hits the market, buyers will be dazzled into paying a lot more for a home.
Fixing up a home to draw a homebuyer wasn’t practiced much in the old days. Today’s cutthroat real estate market has forced the industry to think of creative ways to get a homebuyer to offer more on a property. If you’re trying to purchase a home, make sure you aren’t distracted with the dazzling presentation of the home. Let’s discuss the 7 tips to help you choose the best home:
1) Can All Your Furniture Fit? – When a house is staged, most of the seller’s furniture is replaced with a select few pieces designed to make the room look more spacious. Don’t be fooled by the visual size of a room. If you’re checking out a master bedroom, imagine how your king sized bed, nightstand, and dressers will fit, not their twin sized bed with a small side table.
2) Are Essential Daily Items Missing? – Utility or laundry rooms normally have areas for detergent, softener, laundry baskets, and an ironing board. You may see only a wicker basket of decorated towels in a staged house. Be sure each room has space to accommodate your daily sundries and mini-appliances.
3) What Catches Your Eye? – As you enter a room, observe how you’re drawn to the focal point of a room. Could there be a reason your eyes are diverted away from a defect in the house such as a dreary hallway?
4) How Big Are The Closets And Cabinets? – With a perfectly clean and clutter free home, you might not notice a missing hall closet, linen closet, storage space, attic, or basement. Be sure to gauge whether there’s enough storage room for your things.
5) What’s The Original Style Of The House? – A home can be staged to imitate a certain style. Be sure a house has the structural style you want, even without the upgraded decor. Even a plain 1960’s house can be dressed up to appear like an Arts and Crafts bungalow.
6) Check For Adequate Electrical Outlets – When buying a home, inspect the seller’s lighting to make sure it’s connected and turns on. Staged homes can make an older home appear to have adequate electrical outlets when in fact there’s an insufficient number of outlets. Check to see if all kitchen and large appliances have a close electrical outlet.
7) Wonderful Scents? – When you enter a home with wonderful potpourri scents and soothing music playing, it’s easy to fall in love with a home. Don’t let yourself be emotionally influenced into paying more for a home just because it smells great.
While staging isn’t a bad service, it’s important to not let the decor and ambiance distract you from paying more than what a home is really worth.
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