Selling to Downsize
Home Staging Success

Original asking price: $925, 000 2 1/2 months on market - no offers 35 total buyer showings Condition & Presentation Issues Addressed:

Price reduced to : $875.000 SOLD: $825.000 After Condition & Presentation Issues Addressed, 2 Open Houses were held. 20+ first attendance 12+ second (all good reviews except missing GRANITE ) House was taken off market to install granite. Granite cost: $5500. New stainless double (under counter) sink $350. and pull out stainless faucet $250. Installation: $4000. With GRANITE the house sold within 3 showings - in less than a week after going back on market. Original asking price: $925.000 - no offers Price reduced to : $875.000 SOLD: $825.000 Selling to Downsize
Home Staging Success

These sellers were looking to spend more quality family time together and live a less financially driven life.

They decided downsize by selling their dream house to provide the financial relief needed to send two young children to private school, with only one parent working a full time job.

Although both husband and wife agreed in principle, the wife/mother found it difficult to sell for anything less than a a specific number that drastically overpriced the property!

Despite the facts that the kitchen, a key selling point, was
dated:
the kitchen was small - lacking higher end cabinets.
the counters were dated (e.g. Corian).
the kitchen faucet and sink were white, ordinary and in poor condition.

Buyers took notice and kept on looking.

2 Months on Market - No Offers

In fact, this house was used for comparison purposes to other homes selling in the neighborhood that had newer kitchen amenities.

After 2 months on the market with no offers (along with numerous objections from buyers about the dated kitchen ), the sellers smartly decided to add granite counters and a stainless sink and faucet in the kitchen. 7 Steps to Sell House Smart

Presentation - House was professionally staged in June 2007 + Condition Issues included:
Painted several rooms/ hallways, and trim.
Major de-cluttering of excess furniture pieces and clothes/personal items.
Framed large mirror in Master Bath in painted wood to create a richer more current look for the sink area.
Cleaned carpeting.
Washed windows.
Repaired roof and flashing. Builder warranty.
Landscaping was trimmed/weeded and flowers planted in pots and along walk.

Lessons learned:
House sellers regret waiting too long to invest in granite. By installing granite much earlier in the selling process, the sellers would have been able to use it and also sell their house faster.

Best time for house upgrades and decor updates - preferably before going on market.
Never over-price your property
Staging house alone will not guarantee a quick sale when a property is over priced.
Buyers look for amenities...and pay accordingly.
Sellers needs, wants, hopes are immaterial to BUYERS's opinion of the property.