HOUSE APPEAL: STAGING YOUR HOME FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS

When it comes to staging a home for sale, it is important that sellers create a warm and inviting atmosphere that will appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Today, due to an abundance of low-priced homes to choose from and historically low interest rates, first-time homebuyers account for a greater number of these potential buyers than ever before. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), first-time home buyers constituted for 50% of all home buyers in 2010. But sellers looking to attract this coveted demographic need not do a complete design overhaul. Staging a home for first-time homebuyers is easier than one might think.

Below are seven simple staging tips from Katrina Canarecci of The Canarecci Group with Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber to help boost a home’s appeal and give owners the competitive edge necessary when selling a home.

·         Stage rooms with one purpose. Extra rooms that have a mishmash of uses can confuse and even deter first-time homebuyers, so staging rooms with one purpose is vital. Keep in mind that these buyers are generally young couples without children, and rooms should be presented as areas equipped to meet their needs. So turn those playrooms and storage dens into a home office or the kids’ bedroom into a guest bedroom.

·         Tackle the easy “do-it-yourself” projects. In a recent Coldwell Banker survey of 300 consumers who purchased their first home in the last year, 87 percent said move-in conditions are very important when searching for a home. To ensure that a home is in tip top shape make sure to replace outdated kitchen and bathroom fixtures, apply a fresh coat of paint to a worn wall and refinish the kitchen cabinets. Providing a sleek and modern look wherever possible can make a huge difference in the eyes of first-time homebuyers. To learn more about what home styles are “in fashion,” ask a local Coldwell Banker agent about the styles seen in homes that are selling in the area, and purchase a current interior design magazine for ideas.

·         Focus on the living areas. A living room is an area in which potential first-time buyers should be able to envision themselves entertaining friends or gathering with their family. With that in mind, homeowners should make the area appear as large and functional as possible by removing any unnecessary furniture and decorations.

·         Make sure the master bedroom appeals to both sexes. The master bedroom of a couple’s first home is often the first bedroom they will share. When staging this room, make sure that it appeals to buyers of both sexes.  Remove any feature that seems too gender-specific and paint the walls a neutral color.

·         Clear the room of family portraits. First-time homebuyers are looking for a home they can picture their family living in, not the previous owner’s. Katrina recommends taking down family portraits, personal collections and knickknacks. Removing these items will also eliminate clutter and ensure that people are looking at the house for sale, not at the photos from the last family vacation.

·         Furnish the home, but don't overdo it. While an empty home looks spacious, it is hard for new buyers to visualize their belongings in a home if they are staring at ceilings, floors and bare walls. Leave the basic components of each room, but make sure there is still plenty of open space.

·         Don’t forget to spruce up the yard. First impressions often play a role in a consumer’s decision making process.  Make sure the home’s exterior is inviting by trimming the bushes, mowing the lawn and painting faded window trim. Couples looking for their first home often have less yard work under their belts and will appreciate the seller’s attention to detail.  

Katrina is among the network of more than 15,000 Real Estate Agents and professional Home Stagers worldwide, who are providing sellers with the knowledge and tools they need to sell their homes faster and/or for more money.  Katrina has completed the Accredited Staging Professional Course provided by StagedHomes.com, where she received hands-on instruction and was required to and demonstrated techniques by Staging a home that was listed on the market. 

The Accredited Staging Professional Course was created by Barb Schwarz, the Creator of Home Staging, President and CEO of Stagedhomes.com and the International Association of Home Staging Professionals.  Barb developed the concept of Home Staging in the early 1970’s and has since educated more than one-million people on the subject.  She is a nationally known and award-winning speaker, author and trainer and has been featured on ABC’s Good Morning America and 20/20, NBC’s The Today Show, as well as many local news programs.  

Katrina and Tom Canarecci of The Canarecci Group and Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber have over 22 years of combined real estate experience serving the people of the michiana area.  Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber is northern Indiana’s #1 real estate company with over 300 agents in 12 offices.