Author Archives: Shar Main

What Buyer’s DON’T Want

A lot of people know what buyers want:

Stainless Steel Appliances

Open Concept

Move In Ready

And so on.

But it is just as important to talk about what buyers DON’T want. Actually this is a little tougher to talk about as sometimes people take it personally. Don’t take it personally. These are things we all need to know to get our homes sold.

1: BUYERS DON’T WANT SMELLS

I am not talking about smelling fresh flowers, although fake fragrances and air fresheners are bad. Many people are allergic to fragrances so be careful.

The smells I am talking about are:

A. Pet Smells. I have dogs, large dogs. And when I sold my house my #1 goal was to make sure my house did not smell like I had dogs. I received feedback that the buyer’s couldn’t believe that there were pets in the house. Perfect! If the buyer doesn’t see pet bowls, pet toys, pet beds and SMELLS they won’t think about potential scratched woodwork or potty on the carpet.

Walking into a house that smells like dog, kitty litter or anything else pet related is a total turnoff to buyers.

B. Cooking Odors. If you love to cook fish that’s great. But cooking odors can be a real turn off as well. A lingering fish smell is never pleasant to walk into as well as strong spice odors. So watch what you are cooking while your home is for sale.

2: BUYERS DON’T WANT DIRT

Buyers don’t want to see your dirt. When buying a home the buyer wants to know the house was loved and well cared for. Clean is the best way to show that it was. Even dust and cobwebs covering the furnace and water heater can signal neglect. It is proven over and over again that clean sells. Buyers may even overlook some outdated features if a home is clean and well maintained.

SO…..clean clean clean. If you were going to sell your car you would have it detailed. Tooth brush clean. Do the same with your house and make it sparkle.

3: BUYERS DON’T WANT TO SEE YOUR PERSONAL ITEMS

This means your toothbrush, make up, comb, wet towel, dirty laundry, pile of mail and all your hobbies. It’s great that you love to scrapbook but if it takes up an entire room you may need to put that hobby on hold until your house sells.

Make the buyer feel like they are in ‘their’ home from the moment they step into your house. Nothing screams ‘someone’s house’ more then looking into a shower filled with shampoo bottles and loofa sponges.

If you wouldn’t see it in a model home the buyer shouldn’t see it in your home. There is a reason buyers love model homes, they are clean, cozy and warm but not personal. They can see themselves living there immediately. It doesn’t matter how old your home is, it can show like a model.

Don’t forget what buyers are looking for when trying to sell your home, but more importantly remember what they DON’T.

It is tough to smell your own house, see things you have looked at every day and may not even notice. Bring in a trusted third party to help you see (or smell) the things that a buyer may not want to.

A Home Staging Consultation with a Professional Home Stager may be the best money you can spend to get your home in top selling condition. An experienced Stager will be truthful with you that can make all the difference in getting top dollar for your largest asset.

Shar Sitter, owner Rooms With Style Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis MN.
CHSE and APSD Home Stager Pro Trainer
www.RoomsWithStyle.com
952-567-1124

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Expensive (but sometimes needed) Curb Appeal Tips

In my first two posts in this Curb Appeal series I addressed Inexpensive Curb Appeal Tips as well as Moderately Priced Improvements. Now I want to address those that are more expensive.

Almost everyone needs to do the Inexpensive Improvements if they are selling their home or as regular maintenance while they live in their home. Most home owners will fall into needing to do some of the Moderately priced items as well.

Not as many homeowners will need to do the “Big Ticket” items but if the home is a higher end property you may need to do these for selling. Otherwise these are things you would want to do for your enjoyment now that will add value and a larger return on your investment down the road when you sell.

Replace Driveway and/or replace sidewalk with pavers:

There comes a point when the driveway just cannot be salvaged. It has sunk, bubbled, or cracked so bad it just needs to be torn up and replaced. For higher end homes a walkway of pavers is a wonderful approach to your home.

Create/Add an entry addition:

This can actually make a huge impact to a home. A tiny small front step or lack of any foyer or entryway can not only be awkward but lack appeal. By adding a small addition to the front of your home by altering the facade can be the ticket. This entrance addition can even include columns for even more ‘wow’ factor.

Add Stone to the Front of the House:

Beautiful faux or natural stone to even the bottom third of the home can increase not only the curb appeal but create the look of a higher end home.

Remember…these improvements listed would not be made JUST for selling unless you have a high end home. These are improvement to make to your home now that you can enjoy for a few year before selling. Your Return on Investment will not be large enough for low to mid-level priced homes to do for selling purposes only in the short term.

If you missed the first two parts of this series here they are:

Inexpensive Curb Appeal Tips

Moderate Priced Curb Appeal Tips

Shar Sitter, owner Rooms With Style Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis MN.

CHSE and APSD Home Stager Pro Trainer

www.RoomsWithStyle.com

952-567-1124

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I’m Finally Doing it…..Making a Patriotic Cake!

Yup, I am finally doing it. I have looked at pictures of patriotic cakes, vegetable trays, fruit trays and such for years and always say “Aren’t those cute! I am so going to do that.” And then I never do.

Well this year I have the perfect opportunity because I am going to a BBQ on Sunday the 3rd of July and need to bring an item. Since cake is WAY more fun than vegetables or fruit and I love to bake, I am making the cake.

I hunted for recipes over the internet because of course I had never saved any when I saw them. There were some that were cute but just plain cake underneath. I was already contemplating in my head how to doctor it up when I found this one. Who doesn’t love Strawberry jello and white chocolate pudding inside their cake!

So…here is the cake I am making. I wish I could tell you it turned out great but I am not making it until Sunday morning so check back…I will let you know.

Betty Crocker Red, White and Blue Poke Cake

Ingredients
1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ white cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
1 box (4-serving size) Jell-O™ strawberry-flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
1 box (4-serving size) white chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix
1/3 cup milk
1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
Directions

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 13×9-inch pan. Cool completely in pan, about 1 hour.
Pierce cooled cake with fork at 1/2-inch intervals. In medium bowl, stir gelatin and boiling water until dissolved. Stir in cold water. Carefully pour mixture over entire surface of cake. Refrigerate at least 3 hours until serving time.
In large bowl, mix pudding mix and milk until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread over cake. Arrange strawberries and blueberries on top of cake to look like flag. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

Here is a link to the original site with a printable recipe. Red White and Blue Poke Cake

Happy 4th of July! May your Freedom Holiday ring sunny, bright and fun wherever you are.

Shar Sitter, owner Rooms With Style Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis MN.
CHSE and APSD Home Stager Pro Trainer
www.RoomsWithStyle.com
952-567-1124

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