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Let’s SAVE This Real Estate DEAL with less than $350!

August 11, 2017 · In: Homes For Sale, House Buying Tips, Interior Design



Let’s Save This Real Estate Deal!

With Less than $350!!

Our homes are one of our biggest investments, so the last thing we want to do is cost ourselves money when we are ready to sell.  When I wrote my dear friend, Amanda, about her current listing in North Highland, California, she responded with no small amount of frustration in her voice

“It’s going slowly. Our house has been on the market about 32 days now. Houses below and above us in cost are selling, but we have had absolutely no offers. Can’t understand it. My husband was wondering if we could get your opinion on our house?”

After checking out Amanda’s listing on Zillow I realized that Amanda has a BEAUTIFUL home.  The exterior is a beautiful shade of grey with an inviting walk way/garden,  floor is new, the kitchen is updated, there is a master bathroom + one more, and a garden in the backyard that makes me just a little jealous!

There are a few classic mistakes in the way the house is presented, though, and with less than $350 and a little elbow grease, we will have Amanda and her family well on their way to multiple offers (at least that is the goal!) Click through the photos below of her ACTUAL LISTING and be sure to recommend it to any of your friends in the North Highland area.  I don’t expect this one to last much longer with these quick fixes!


First Impressions are EVERYTHING!

First Impressions are EVERYTHING!

Whether you think it’s fair or not, buyers will judge the book by the cover EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.  Make sure first impressions are good with a clear photo of the house that is straight, shows off the curb appeal, and downplays any deterrents like the electrical pole in the back.  (These cannot be edited out, but the right angle will help them disappear just as they will the moment a new buyer makes the house their home!)


Rearrange the Room

Rearrange the Room

When it comes to the photos you want to use all your furniture to make the most of your photos.  For this living/room dining room combo I would consider swapping the living room with the dining room.  That will really make that gorgeous fireplace stand out!  Take down the curtains that don’t reach the floor as well.  It makes the ceilings appear smaller.

Also, add a little color with inexpensive pillows on the sofa. These start at $6! http://rstyle.me/n/craa4gsyu6 


Turn off the Lights!

Turn off the Lights!

Yellow photos make a house feel seedy (even when they are not AT ALL!)  The entire house will feel yellow with the overhead lights on.  I turn the lights off, magazine style to really play up the natural light.  In dark spaces where it’s not possible to use natural light I reduce the saturation in the photo and pull the blues back slightly to regain the natural color of the room.


Kitchens SELL houses!

Kitchens SELL houses!

Even if all the buyer does is microwave popcorn, they all want nice kitchens!  This one is ADORABLE!  But the photos are not doing it justice.  Clear the counter tops, add fresh herbs in pots (get them at Home depot for less than $10 for a pot & plant) and take a wider photo.  Take the trash can out of the shot as well.


Is There More Space?

Is There More Space?

Whoa!  Cute kitchen!  Definitely needs decluttering.  Just leave the herbs (see previous), the coffee maker, and the kitchenaid.  And is there room for a tiny cafe table to make a small breakfast table at the end?  Even something like this: http://rstyle.me/n/cq99vpsyu6  with a couple coffee cups and a plant on it would make a ANOTHER room!


Remove Signs of Pets

Remove Signs of Pets

Always remove signs of pets because buyers automatically assume the house has more wear and tear with a pet in the house.  Also, take this shot wider to include the breakfast nook!


Add a cute basket!

Add a cute basket!

Little touches like a cute laundry basket (I buy one like this: http://rstyle.me/n/craavtsyu6

Also add a pretty bottle of detergent: http://rstyle.me/n/cq992zsyu6


Borrow Furniture!!

Borrow Furniture!!

Borrow a sofa from the other room and lose the futon.  It gives a temporary/uncozy feel that can put buyers off.


Is the House HOT?  Is the A/C broken?

Is the House HOT? Is the A/C broken?

I looked and it says the house has Central A/C, but a FAN means one thing to buyers.  The A/C is broken and the house is HOT.  Also, open the curtains (or lose them altogether!) and remove the trash can and lamps.  Clean and fresh always sells!


Simplify and Conquer!

Simplify and Conquer!

This is one of the best shots, but the chair would be better put to use in the living room. Turn the bed to the wall with the window and scoot the dresser to the left to make the room feel larger.  


Is Someone IN THERE?

Is Someone IN THERE?

Make the pillows on the bed even and consider updating with a nice, fresh neutral bed set.  

This one VCNY set is only $50 for the whole set!  http://rstyle.me/n/craatvsyu6


REMEMBER the REFLECTION

REMEMBER the REFLECTION

Here the mirror is reflecting a lot of clutter.  Also the animal bed should be removed.


Brighten the Bathroom

Brighten the Bathroom

Try taking this shot without the lights, but either way, bring a plant in here and keep the counter clutter to a minimum.  (I can’t tell what’s on the counter, but a wider shot would be great to make the whole room feel bigger!)


Remove the Clutter & Add plants

Remove the Clutter & Add plants

Master Bedrooms should feel welcoming and cozy.  Consider removing all the clutter, adding a couple plants and putting a bedskirt on to make the room feel inviting and fresh.

This bedskirt is very affordable: http://rstyle.me/n/cq995tsyu6


Give the Impression of SPACE

Give the Impression of SPACE

Whoa!  Big closet, but not big enough.  Give buyers the impression that you have more space than you need.  You are moving anyways, so pack up extra shoes and think organized: http://rstyle.me/n/craajksyu6


Neutralize everything

Neutralize everything

This photo makes me crave FRENCH FRIES!  It’s super cute, but it’s polarizing decor.  Neutralize with a simple new bed set like this one from Target: http://rstyle.me/n/craaejsyu6


Be Strategic!

Be Strategic!

Not everyone likes a trampoline.  Take a shot of the yard from a different angle to reduce deterring buyers over something that is Removeable!


Focus on the POSITIVE

Focus on the POSITIVE

Is that the A/C on the roof?  A photo taken from a different angle wouldn’t have drawn your attention to the roof, but rather the BEAUTIFUL garden.  I’d clear out the extra non-essentials like the drying rack?, the blower, etc.


First Impressions are EVERYTHING!
Rearrange the Room
Turn off the Lights!
Kitchens SELL houses!
Is There More Space?
Remove Signs of Pets
Add a cute basket!
Borrow Furniture!!
Is the House HOT?  Is the A/C broken?
Simplify and Conquer!
Is Someone IN THERE?
REMEMBER the REFLECTION
Brighten the Bathroom
Remove the Clutter & Add plants
Give the Impression of SPACE
Neutralize everything
Be Strategic!
Focus on the POSITIVE

By: houseofvalen · In: Homes For Sale, House Buying Tips, Interior Design

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Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    August 11, 2017 at 2:13 pm

    Thanks Tina for sharing our house, and for your suggestions! It’s funny…that we have already made some of those changes..since the pics were taken. And others…ex…breakfast nook table we have thought about doing.

    Reply
  2. [email protected] says

    August 11, 2017 at 2:13 pm

    Thanks Tina for sharing our house, and for your suggestions! It’s funny…that we have already made some of those changes..since the pics were taken. And others…ex…breakfast nook table we have thought about doing.

    Reply

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