Delaware County, Pennsylvania Real Estate Blog: January 2011

First, we stagers have to thank HGTV for getting the word out on the benefits of staging! Most of us love watching thier shows on home Staging, myself included.

That said, the reality is leave it to the trained professionals, like the stagers on these respective shows when preparing a home for sale! Below are some reasons why you might want to consider calling a pro instead of tackling staging all on your own: 

                  

1. HGTV is somewhat unrealistic when it comes to staging your own home: Why, they bring in a team of professionals with an unlimited budget and try to convince the average homeowner they can stage their home just by watching their shows or reading their articles. Not true - I can watch an electrician all day long and still not have a clue how to do electrical work - it's not my area of expertise!

2. Their "simple", inexpensive fixes" are done by professional craftsmen, contractors, carpenters, landscapers, lighting technicians and outside consultants.  Do they really think the average Joe is all that rolled into one?!  Not only are their projects unrealistic for the average homeowner, who has the funds to hire all these professionals?

3. The products they use when staging or redesigning a space are donated because of the free advertising they receive, so it doesn't cost them a penny.  Moreover, they send out a team of professionals to "find" great pieces of art, furniture, rugs and that perfect chandelier at auctions and flea markets. Who has time to search out all these "off the beaten path" places for hidden treasures that would fit perfectly into their home - not me or anyone else I know!

4. When staging a home, HGTV use sewing professionals who whip up cheap, inexpensive pillows, curtains and window seat cushions using a bevy of fabrics to choose from. How many of us have professional sewing and design professionals at our disposal with remnants of fabric on hand let alone the funds to hire them.

5. When they unveil their staging transformations, they don't factor in the price of labor for contractors,  painters, clean-up crew and paid staff to get the job done, thus their claim that they "staged" a home for under "$2000." isn't realistic at all!

6. HGTV Staging shows recommend adding box trim and crown molding - great in theory, but unless you're a professional craftsman, it will more than likely look like shoddy workmanship and detract from the home. In addition, this is a big investment and not realistic for the average homeowner when staging to sell.

7. Unless you own a florist, who can afford to keep up 20 vases of expensive, fresh flowers while their home is on the market?! Again, great in theory, but unrealistic.

8. They tell you to "create better flow using furniture placement."  Don't you think the homeowner would have already done this if they had they knew how? This is where a professional home stager is invaluable - they are trained on how to accomplish this.

So that's my take on HGTV's home staging shows - love them, but there really is more to it then what is depicted. When staging your home hire a professional stager who will work within your budget, give you a realistic idea of what needs to be done, highlight your home's best architectural features for the biggest return on your investment.  Watching a couple episodes of HGTV's "staging" shows (while they do have some useful information) isn't realistic for the average seller! 

 

Home Staging Morris County - Kristine Ginsberg - (201)602-2562

When you're looking to sell quickly and for top dollar, Elite Staging and Redesign of Morris County knows how to get the job done right. We will use proven techniques to create warm, inviting, updated spaces that will appeal to the masses. In today's competitive market, every home can use an edge and that's what Elite Staging is all about.

Home Staging Website: Elite Staging and Redesign

Staging Before/After pictures: Portfolio

Email: Kris@elitestagingandredesign.com

           

In many different cultures, i.e., Asian, Native American, African American and Latino, there is a firm tradition of family commitment to the elderly. Seniors are respected for their many years of experience and wisdom. Elder care remains a family issue. Private care may not be an option and there may be few state-funded facilities. The elderly live out their years at home. Common obstacles facing American seniors today are generally not a problem in these other cultures.

In the U.S., families are more likely to live far apart. Children grow up and settle in other states, oftentimes after college graduation. People are left alone to cope without benefit of family or community. For many, senior housing will become an issue at some point in their lives.

The concept of HomeShare began in Atlanta in the 1980's, and is now available in about 30 states including Florida, Arizona and Oregon. It's available internationally, as well, in Australia, England and France. While it was originally aimed at seniors, over the years, it's been modified to accommodate people of various ages and situations. Quite simply put, someone who is suffering from financial hardship or social isolation and who has an extra bedroom to rent is matched up with someone who has a need for an affordable place to live.

The living room and kitchen, and in some instances, the bath, are shared which gives this arrangement the feel of having a housemate rather than a boarder. The homeowner and homeseeker have absolute say over the match. The Agency can only make suggestions. As the program's literature states, "It's not without its challenges but it is a way for older adults to maintain their homes and it can help people of all ages through transitional periods such as divorce, loss of spouse, company downsizing or educational pursuits."

The process can take a couple of months to complete. Dolores Tibbets, M.S.W., the Nassau County's Program Coordinator is meticulous about conducting an exhaustive pre-screening that includes criminal background checks, character references, and meetings between the potential housemates. All the employees and volunteers are sensitive to the fact that this concept involves letting a complete stranger into your home and they are extremely diligent about making sure these potential tenants are mature, trustworthy and consistent in their financial obligations. Additionally, they probe to insure that no former addictions, abuse or other criminal activity go undetected because, after all, homeowner security is paramount.

While they have already had a lot of success (think along the lines of The Golden Girls), naturally, some matches don't work out. Just like in any real life family situation, there are bound to be conflicts between people. Sometimes, lifestyles and habits don't mesh. It could be as simple a problem as experienced by the famous T.V. Odd Couple where one person is finicky and the other one is domestically challenged. Or, it could just be of a logistical nature like the renter's commute turns out to be too far from his job.

In any case, the Agency is there for follow-up. For a year after the match, they'll check in periodically and mediate, if necessary. They are completely committed to making these pairings work and they can always set up a different match, if need be. HomeShares don't have to be forever. They typically last 6 months to 2 years until someone's life situation changes and he is back on his feet again.

If you know of anyone who can benefit from this program, feel free to pass along the contact information:

Family and Children's Association

HomeShare/Nassau

100 E. Old Country Road

Suite 29

Mineola, NY  11501

516.292.1300 ext. 2312

Fax 516.538.2548

dtibbets@familyandchildrens.org

This YouTube video will further explain the program and who it is best suited for:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GwpoqqoJSA

 

The Golden Girls courtesy of Litandmore's photostream

The Odd Couple courtesy of Vintagecat's photostream

on Flickr.com

 

 

 

 

 

COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE  *****  "SAID AND DONE"  *****

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jill Sackler, 50+ Market Specialist

cell (516) 395-8376

As a long-term resident of Long Island's south shore, I serve all communities from Queens to western Suffolk, south of the L.I.E.

I'm also a New York Relocation Specialist.  As a member of the Cartus network, I can connect you with a qualified real estate agent anywhere.

10 Reasons Your House Is Not Selling.  A few days ago I wrote about how price and condition will determine whether your house sells or not. Here is a follow up that focuses on many other ways home owners sabotage the process of selling their home.

 1. Price is still the most important factor for buyers. Just because you paid $400,000 in 2006 and put in another $100,000 into the house, does not mean you have a  $500,000 house. In today's market $400,000 plus $100,000 may equal $350,000. Its all about price and condition in relation to the other similar homes on the  market.

2. Poor photos. Today we know that 90% of the buyers begin the search online. So I am amazed when I see listings of half-million dollar homes which use "snap shots" the agent took during a 5 minute visit.  I use a professional photographer on all of my home listings because I know if the photos don't grab the buyer in the first 10 seconds, that buyer is lost.

3. Clutter, nick-nacks, personal, and political stuff.  Yes I know you have been collecting these things for 30 years and you are very proud of your stuff. But the buyer does not care about your collection and in fact it makes your house look smaller than it really is. We are talking about one of  your largest financial transactions, get a storage unit during the listing. It will pay for itself many times over. Also personal things such as family photos, children's drawings , political posters don't help you. The buyer needs to see themselves in the house, make it easy for them.

4. You stay home during the showing. There are only two outcomes to this. The first is you make the buyer uncomfortable looking in your closets and cabinets and distract them. The second is you say something that is to your disadvantage. I have attended countless showings where the seller is home and mentions something that either reduces the value of the home in the buyer's mind or totally removes it from the list of possible homes. If you must be home, go wait in the backyard and read a book.

5. Pets and Smells.  While your dog is barking at the potential buyers and their agent they are having trouble focusing on seeing themselves living in your house. Your cat's litter-box in the laundry room is adding a scent and its not money. Your ferret is attempting to burrow through the wall and the cigar smoke in the curtains is not helping your either.

6. You have unusual paint or wallpaper. Sellers with children often have paint colors picked out by the children. While lime green, black and magenta are great colors for your kids, they are not so great for buyers. Additionally the wallpaper picked out by Aunt Ethel in 1964 is sending the buyers this message: This House Needs Lots of Work!  I really like colors other than white for walls, but they need do need to complement each other.

7. Your house is rented.  Imagine the buyer's agent is scheduling 7 showings for tomorrow morning. The vacant houses are effortless, the houses that are owner occupied are mostly happy to schedule the showing at a time the works best for the buyers. Then we get to the rental. In Arizona, the renters can require up to 48 notice before a showing, but often 24 hours will work. However most buyer's agents schedule showings either the day before or the day of the showings. Either way many rentals will not get shown. Also consider that many tenants are not enthusiastic about having to move. It is common for tenants to leave the house a mess for showings.

8. Your house is dysfunctional. Examples: Master bedroom upstairs, one floor has only a half bath, small closets, no garage, access to a bedroom is through another bedroom, driveway is steep, has many stairs to front door, no laundry room, out laundry in garage. Functional issues are very hard to fix so adjusting the price is often the only option here.

9. Poor Location / Access. If the location could be changed I would have put this as number 2. If you have to drive through a subdivision of mobile homes to get to your $750,000 custom home we are going to have a challenge selling it. If your house adjoins commercial properties that will be an issue. If you always need 4-wheel drive to get there, it's going to be an issue. And as gas prices go up the distance from shopping, schools, and hospitals is going to become more and more important. Right now in the Prescott AZ market, some of the hardest hit areas are very expensive gated communities located 20 miles from town. Again, we cannot change location, but we can adjust the price.

10. Poor Maintenance. Buyers have plenty of options to choose from right now. Most buyers start with the neighborhood and price range they like, then quickly eliminate all properties except those priced most aggressively and in the best condition. If your house has visible maintenance issues like broken windows, old paint, damaged rain gutters or roofing, the buyers will quickly eliminate it unless you have adjusted the price accordingly.

 

This list could easily be the top 100 reasons your house is not selling, but I think these are some of the most common. It is so important for the sellers to let go of any emotional attachment to the house and step into the shoes of the buyer. And don't forget that the market price is set by the buyer, not the seller. If your house has been on the market for a month without showings please refer to this list. Also if your house is on the market and is getting showings but no offers after 10 showings, please refer to this list. Please give me a call or drop me an email to learn what else I do differently than most REALTORS to help you meet your goals.

 

Dave Conners enjoys teaching his clients new techniques to reach their goals.

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