Don't rely on your own intuition and your own tastes when it comes to "staging your home for sale". A talented real estate broker with years of experience is able to keep his or her pulse on the market consistently staying in touch with the latest trends and pathways to a buyer's heart will be able to steer you in the right direction. After all, you, as a Seller, just have sixty seconds to make a lasting first impression, so it better be a good one.

An article recently published in a national magazine made reference to the home Buyer's decision-making process. I quote the article stating that 45% of the actual decision is made from a first look at the home's front exterior. This of course includes site and neighborhood location, no doubt. Amazing, however, how that freshly painted white picket fence and those colorful blossoming flowers do make a difference. People are attracted to green lawns, tailored landscaping, windows with bright colored shutters and planted window boxes, etc. The article goes on to say that 20% of the decision is formulated within the first three steps across the threshold. Simply speaking, this means that 65% of the total decision is made by the time a Buyer has barely walked through the first room. Keep that in mind as well.

Staging your home is very important. Buyers need to relate well to your home so try to depersonalize it as much as possible. It is important to get rid of clutter, position furniture to make the rooms look bigger and more attractive and remove big, clumsy furniture if necessary.

Make your home look fun and appealing, the way a decorator would, by opening up tight traffic flow, exposing hardwood floors and accentuating any character and charm that may be dormant and unexposed. People love character and an uncluttered flowing floor plan that's easy to navigate and easy to live with.

Today it is not just about square footage, it's about lifestyle. After a long hard day at work, people want to come home to a joyful environment that is easy, informal and ready to go.

Here are some things to remember that are high on today's Buyer's wish list! 1) Privacy - Do what you can to create privacy. 2) Quiet - Try to buffer yourself from noise. 3) Bright - Take whatever step you can to create light. 4) Clean - No one wants to be responsible for someone else's mess.

Stage your home to look spacious and bright; trim back trees and shrubs that block windows, change light bulbs to maximum wattage and open all shades, shutters and drapes during showings, etc. Create a good traffic flow and accentuate the size of closets by organizing them in advance. To make a home look bigger, carpet everything in the same color, not each room different. To make a backyard look bigger, use the same principle by not having it so broken up, i.e. a walkway, a patch of lawn, a cactus garden, a flower patch, a deck, another walkway, another little patch of grass, etc. Usually it is better to have a large grassy play area and a patio or deck and be done.

Here are other things to keep in mind coming direct to you from a Buyer's "I need" list: 1) I need a nice master with adjoining bath.

2) I need a guest bedroom.

3) I need a place to put my computer. I would love a home office space if possible. 4) I need a place for my stereo and big screen TV.

5) I want a nice sunny spot where I can enjoy my Sunday newspaper and morning coffee.

When possible, give today's Buyers what they are looking for, make it easy for them to imagine themselves living there, give them no excuses that it needs too much work and selling for top dollar is as close as your fingertips.

Just as a couple of last minute reminders: 1) Pools are more in demand during hot weather and less of course during winter. 2) Homes sell best when interest rates are affordable, while prices are increasing and when inventory is low.

3) The best times to sell are either between February and June or between September and October. Holiday time, late summer or too early in the year tend to be slower times. 4) Spring time and early fall are great times to sell because of blooming gardens and the beautifully changing colors of fall.

~~ This article was written by Ron Wynn - 8/2000 ~~

Copyright© Ron Wynn 2000