Real Estate Blog

I get this question all the time does staging really work? Do I really need to stage my home? The answer isn't always obvious, some homes won't need it and some homes will need more than others.

In our Middle Tennessee Market it’s very competitive and everyone wants to sell their property quickly and for the most money.  I see non-staged homes sitting on the market for a longer period of time.  Or I see in the second month having a price reduction.  I just think only if this property was staged it mostly likely would be sold. 

A staged home can get more return on your investment. And sales more quickly verses a non-staged home on the market. Staging is not that expensive in the long run. Just think of this the more time my property sits on the market sometimes can mean paying for two mortgages. Especially, if there is a relocation situation involved.  Unless your property has not had proper routine maintenance, then it could cost you. 

One quick and fairy inexpensive fixes is paint. Yes, paint! The dark red and beige paint colors are out.  The on-trend look is to light and bight walls with a soft gray or off-white is all the rage these days. Again, buyers want something new and fresh.  Not what they currently have.

I always tell my clients the most important part of home staging is de-cluttering big bulky items have got to go. Hiding their personal care products, no one wants to see other people personal care. They need to envision themselves in the space with their own items.  Potential buyers can only see your stuff.    They can’t focus on the architectural features of a house.    Going to The Container Store is always a great idea to get baskets to hide items in or tidy up the pantry. You always want everything to look very high-end. My other biggie is no personal photos of family members.  Again potential buyers can only see your “life” in this house.  And not there’s. 

Staging is not decorating. Staging = getting top dollar for your property. At the end of the day buyers are looking for a home that looks and feels new even if it’s a resale.

Together Jamie Watford and I will help you make the right decisions when preparing your house for the market.  Feel free to reach out to Jamie anytime. She is a Certified Home Stager and Interior Decorator.   Owner, of JW Nash & co. serving Middle Tennessee

Jwnashandco.com or jwnashandco@gmail.com  615-613-8593

..... "You've Got a Freind in Real Estate"

Jarod Tanksley 615.403.8265

www.BrentwoodandBeyond.com

Brentview Realty 615.373.2814

  Hear me out... I like watching HGTV in my down time just like the next guy and sometimes we have it on in the office, but I’ve had some people come to me with some pretty unrealistic expectations about the home-buying process that can usually be attributed to one or both of the homebuyer’s penchants for watching lots of HGTV. Here are some things to consider about the actual home-buying process in relation to some of the scenarios on a few of their popular shows.

1. If you’re determined to buy a fixer-upper, the Property Brothers will not show up with their state-of-the-art Computer Generated Imagery and conduct all of the work for you. The final shots look great at the reveal, but in real life, that kind of renovation work takes weeks (months) and lots and lots of dollars. If you have a background in construction and a lot of time and money, then I say go for it; otherwise, let’s keep looking.

2. You’re starting to fall out of love with your home and you can’t decide whether to spend some money making it lovable or to sell it and move on. On Love It or List It, Hilary and David swoop in and do a LOT of work to sway the couple in both directions. Keep in mind, though, that Hilary almost always has to come back to the owners with dreadful news about some problem they found during the renovation that will cost thousands of extra dollars and David usually finds the homeowners a dream home … that’s $100,000 out of their price range. You have to know exactly what you can afford to spend before you start either of these processes, so do your homework, and make sure you’re on the same page financially with everyone who’s a part of the process.

3. And speaking of being on the same page—I sometimes wonder if the couples on House Hunters have even had one conversation about what they want in a home before they go on this show. (I know, TV drama) Buying a home is an emotional process, and it’s probably not wise to duke out the details in front of your Realtor, lender, or anyone else for that matter. If you are buying a home with someone, you need to present a united front throughout the process. What are each person’s non-negotiables? What is your max budget? Decide these things BEFORE you start looking.

4. Equally as frustrating are the episodes where a homebuyer will dismiss a home simply because they don’t like the paint color, carpet, or tile. These are called cosmetic issues and they can be fixed relatively easily over time. Make your decision based on the location or the layout, or the great yard—not on paint color.

And as a final note..., It's NOT a good idea to purchase a house without doing a home inspection... No matter what they say on TV.  It's television....like everything on TV there is an agenda behind everything. I would be more than happy to help you find a new home or that second dream home in Figi if that’s what you’re looking for, but no, it’s not normal for people to live like all the people you see on House Hunters International. Please reach out to me if I can help with anything - JAROD

.... "You've Got a Friend in Real Estate"

Jarod Tanksley 615.403.8265

www.BrentwoodandBeyond.com

Brentview Realty 615.373.2814