So, now you have decided it is time to sell.

Whether it is your time to downsize and minimize maintenance, upsize to meet your growing needs, are a first-time homebuyer, or whether you will relocate to a new region or country, you and others share one thing in common – the new spring market. As both a seller and buyer preparing to offer your home in a changing marketplace, you have real double-duty this spring.

The importance of selling a home is not only an emotional consideration but also a financial one. Whether you have lived in your home for one year or fifty, selling your home and preparing to move to another - while getting through everyday life and protecting your investment, takes planning. How much information do we need to make the most of this decision? What is the most viable return on our investment? Do we have access to the resources necessary to meet the demands of selling our home? Did someone say something about spring cleaning!

The temperature of the market has changed, a larger inventory of properties is available and buyers are least likely to jump straight in for the first house they see. Homes are observed for their options and a greater emphasis and consideration is being placed on the condition and presentation – these actions will weigh more heavily in the negotiation of the price and the time on the market. Take for example a 20 year old home offered during the recent hot market would more likely have been referred to as being in good shape and a little worn, in a cooler market, the fact that it’s outdated and in need of some repair is not so easily overlooked.

While much needs to be considered in determining how much time and money you invest into the sale of your home, it is a necessary part of the pre-sale planning. Take the time to get the advice you need to make decisions on how the sale of your home will proceed. Field the questions to specialists in these areas, just as you might ask an appraiser about current market conditions, you may benefit by finding a home presentation specialist (stager) for guidance on how best to present your property. If you aren’t sure about the condition of your home, whether it has good bones and is structurally sound, a licensed home inspector will provide you with that knowledge.

If you are assessing the condition of your home and contemplating home-improvements, hoping these improvements will entice a potential buyer to choose your home over others. you need to consider the cost v.s payback based on your specific needs and goals from a personal and financial perspective. Remember this list of improvements could range greatly from fixing a leaky tap to replacing the roof or even renovating an existing space. Presenting this same home will depend upon other factors, such as décor style, how each room is currently functioning, amount of things collected over the years and cleanliness. With curb appeal affecting whether someone will even enter your home, remember that it is purely the choice of a discerning home buyer. Home presentation - a.k.a. staging, simply means preparing and updating a house for sale using cost-effective and non-invasive methods, unlike renovations which could run thousands more. On average you could spend $1500 staging your home and complete it within a month, when compared to a $7000 renovation that may not yield a greater price, and could take three months to complete.

Often sellers will double their efforts and do much more then is necessary to see a good return. Evaluate your investment, and consider $$ expenditures plus the time it will be on the market to determine if its viable. Look at all your resources, not only financial, but your emotional needs plus understand your capabilities. If you cannot fix that hole in the wall yourself, then now is not the time to learn how to plaster. Since the spring market is also the heaviest cleanup season around your home, add in the extra time and expense of these fix-ups. Even if it seems you are doubling-up on your efforts, the paybacks are great. In this market the buyer is going to demand your home is in better condition then the next house and showcases like its their dream home ––“a distinctive home is the result of showing your house at its finest!”

PamRose Eden-Cox is a consultant and staging professional for homeowners and real estate professionals. Specializing in Home Presentations and Interior Merchandising.
For more information she can be reached by phone 413-584-0493 or email pamrose@housetohomestaging.com

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– Creating Buyer~Friendly Homes