Home Staging (Charlotte, Raleigh, Goldsboro: wood floors, credit, home builders)

[stmaarten]

Originally Posted by DonnaPGH

Wow - great imput everyone! It seems like houses sell so fast in NC. I hope there are still some good ones available when I come down in a few months. I' headed toward the Concord area.

thanks everyone!

If not for home staging for home sellers, I'm sure you'll find plenty of jobs for space planning, color consultation, etc...
Good Luck!

[liveInNC]

Originally Posted by Check123

Never said it wouldn't look bigger, but unless you knocked down some walls, it was the same size as before. Only gullable buyers would offer more money after the clean up than before. Square feet is square feet. A smart buyer would have used the clutter as bargaining leverage.

In your case, the offers were made not because the house was staged, but because you took out the clutter. You could have had an empty house (saved on the staging), and the same offers would have been the result; especially with the market being so hot at that time.

Staging does not work. Cleaning does.

Do you have facts to back up your statement that "staging does not work"? People don't buy houses on numbers alone (sqft, etc). Unless they are buying investment property. Many people buy houses with their heart, not with their brains. As a man, I look at the facts like square footage, price etc. However, I'd never get away with buying a house my wife didn't like. I looked at plenty of houses that I liked but my wife didn't feel "comfortable" in.

Any decent realtor will tell you that setting the diningroom table before a showing will be helpfull. There are lot's of staging teqniques that will help sell the house. A properly staged house will not only look more apealing but will give the impression that the people who own it took good care of it.

[Check123]

Staging doesn't work with smart people. They realize that they're not buying the furniture, they're buying the house. People who buy houses with their hearts and not their heads are what P.T. Barnum referred to as suckers. All you need is some common sense and a bit of imagination to purchase a house. As a man, you have that common sense; you're not going to let a staged bowl of lemons sitting on the counter persuade you to buy a house full or termite damage. Buy a house based on facts, not impressions.

Originally Posted by liveInNC

Do you have facts to back up your statement that "staging does not work"? People don't buy houses on numbers alone (sqft, etc). Unless they are buying investment property. Many people buy houses with their heart, not with their brains. As a man, I look at the facts like square footage, price etc. However, I'd never get away with buying a house my wife didn't like. I looked at plenty of houses that I liked but my wife didn't feel "comfortable" in.

Any decent realtor will tell you that setting the diningroom table before a showing will be helpfull. There are lot's of staging teqniques that will help sell the house. A properly staged house will not only look more apealing but will give the impression that the people who own it took good care of it.

[stmaarten]

Originally Posted by Check123

Staging doesn't work with smart people. They realize that they're not buying the furniture, they're buying the house. People who buy houses with their hearts and not their heads are what P.T. Barnum referred to as suckers. All you need is some common sense and a bit of imagination to purchase a house. As a man, you have that common sense; you're not going to let a staged bowl of lemons sitting on the counter persuade you to buy a house full or termite damage. Buy a house based on facts, not impressions.

If you're purchasing a home based on square footage alone, then you're the person who's not "smart". Check123, if you took half the energy you use to be condesending, and instead channeled it into being helpful, you'd actually be contributing something to this board. Obviously, you're the one who's not utilizing their "common sense".
BTW, your reputation dictates that this response to your post is probably a terrible waste of time.

[Check123]

I never said to consider square feet alone. The reference to square feet was an example of the important aspects to consider. I'm sorry if that eluded you. Next time I'll provide an all inclusive list.

Originally Posted by stmaarten

If you're purchasing a home based on square footage alone, then you're the person who's not "smart". Check123, if you took half the energy you use to be condesending, and instead channeled it into being helpful, you'd actually be contributing something to this board. Obviously, you're the one who's not utilizing their "common sense".
BTW, your reputation dictates that this response to your post is probably a terrible waste of time.

[liveInNC]

Originally Posted by Check123

Staging doesn't work with smart people. They realize that they're not buying the furniture, they're buying the house. People who buy houses with their hearts and not their heads are what P.T. Barnum referred to as suckers. All you need is some common sense and a bit of imagination to purchase a house. As a man, you have that common sense; you're not going to let a staged bowl of lemons sitting on the counter persuade you to buy a house full or termite damage. Buy a house based on facts, not impressions.

When selling a house WHO REALLY CARES if the buyer is smart or not? As long as their money is green.

[Check123]

From the seller's point of view, yes. Not from a buying standpoint.

Originally Posted by liveInNC

When selling a house WHO REALLY CARES if the buyer is smart or not? As long as their money is green.

[robin from Oregon]

Originally Posted by Check123

From the seller's point of view, yes. Not from a buying standpoint.

Well, considering that the question of to stage or not to stage is addressed to sellers, not buyers, the argument that smart buyers won't be swayed by a staged house is irrelevant. I agree that it doesn't matter to me whether or not the buyer of my house is smart. BTW, even "smart" people are human, and we humans are influenced by perception. If I walked into a house that was beautifully decorated, immaculately clean, and smelled like fresh baked bread - I wouldn't buy the house based on that (I am a smart buyer) - but at least I wouldn't be turned off by it. On the other hand, if I walk into a house that is cluttered, dirty, or obviously out-dated, I might not give it a second thought, especially in a buyers market where there are alot of properties for sale. That's not because I can't see past the garish wallpaper or unusual color scheme - it's because I may not want to have to remove wallpaper or paint the interior when I move in. I will be moving to NC soon to start a very challenging and probably time-consuming job. I don't want to have to paint my new house. From what I can see on realtor.com, there are plenty of "dream houses" on the market right now. So a buyer may well pass on one that doesn't make a good first impression.

[Check123]

Smart people, while human, do not allow perceptions to get in the way of reality.

Foundation, roof, mechanics, plumbing, electrical, insect damage, and taxes all take precidence over decoration. You'd be amazed at how many people don't hire an engineer because the house "looked good". Many dream houses have turned into nightmares.

Originally Posted by robin from Oregon

Well, considering that the question of to stage or not to stage is addressed to sellers, not buyers, the argument that smart buyers won't be swayed by a staged house is irrelevant. I agree that it doesn't matter to me whether or not the buyer of my house is smart. BTW, even "smart" people are human, and we humans are influenced by perception. If I walked into a house that was beautifully decorated, immaculately clean, and smelled like fresh baked bread - I wouldn't buy the house based on that (I am a smart buyer) - but at least I wouldn't be turned off by it. On the other hand, if I walk into a house that is cluttered, dirty, or obviously out-dated, I might not give it a second thought, especially in a buyers market where there are alot of properties for sale. That's not because I can't see past the garish wallpaper or unusual color scheme - it's because I may not want to have to remove wallpaper or paint the interior when I move in. I will be moving to NC soon to start a very challenging and probably time-consuming job. I don't want to have to paint my new house. From what I can see on realtor.com, there are plenty of "dream houses" on the market right now. So a buyer may well pass on one that doesn't make a good first impression.

[robin from Oregon]

Originally Posted by Check123

Smart people, while human, do not allow perceptions to get in the way of reality.

Foundation, roof, mechanics, plumbing, electrical, insect damage, and taxes all take precidence over decoration. You'd be amazed at how many people don't hire an engineer because the house "looked good". Many dream houses have turned into nightmares.

I completely agree. And I couldn't imagine buying a house without an inspection. But all other things being equal, I believe a staged house will have a market advantage over one that isn't.