Recession. Bubble. There certainly are some scary words being said in the property world these days. After a long run of high property prices and bidding wars, the tide has changed.
We all know that the economy and the property market is cyclical, and that a trough will always be followed by a crest. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't do everything you can to keep your sales up and your clients happy.
One of the best ways to do that is to go the extra mile, and to invest in value added sales tactics like home staging. Here's why that's particularly important now.
Creating a Story
Most people these days don't just want to buy a house. They want a home that reflects their style. They want comfort, but they also want a showpiece that they can proudly share with friends and family when they entertain.
It's very hard to picture that when you're viewing a home that is cluttered with mismatched furniture and random objects. Except, that's exactly what most of us have. Home staging allows realtors and their clients to create a story that will help potential buyers to imagine themselves in the space. It's stylish but not too personal, so it's a lot easier to sell the idea of the home instead of what's been there for years.
The Illusion of Space
Most people don't buy furniture and other items with the idea of maximizing space. In fact, most of us will cram the biggest sectional we can find into the TV room so we have more seats, without a thought about how cramped it will look.
That's not what buyers want to see though.
Professional home staging ensures that the furniture not only matches the style of the home, but it's an appropriate scale too. This makes everything in the home look more spacious, and bigger, airier homes always show and sell better.
Sleek, Clean and Modern
In most cases, the homes you sell to your clients will be filled with muddy paws and juice boxes as soon as the new owner moves in. But that's not the idea they want to buy. Which means that one of the best things you can do for your listings and your clients is create the illusion of the perfect sleek, clean and modern home. People buy homes for emotional reasons, so it's always a good idea to play up positive feelings when you're showing homes.
A Little More Work
A short while ago, bidding wars and buying homes unseen were the norm. The market was hot, interest rates were low, and everyone was ready to find their new forever home. Things have changed a bit, and it's not quite as easy to sell homes over list price anymore. That doesn't mean it can't be done though.
Whether it's increasing curb appeal or investing in professional staging, doing just a little more can mean bigger offers, better sale prices and more homes sold. So if you're not already using these tactics, it might well be time to start.