Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Stage Your Home Before Selling

Is staging necessary?

Selling your home is a big decision. It entails intensive planning and preparation.

Among the many considerations you have to make when you are selling your Shadow Cliff Pleasanton home is whether to stage it or sell it empty.  If it is your first time to sell a home, you may think of staging as an additional burden. It’s going to take time and money, both of which you may be running out of.

So why stage?

It takes only a few seconds for a homebuyer to decide whether he likes the home or not. Staging your Shadow Cliff Pleasanton home showcases its best features and appeals to the buyers emotions which increase the possibility of the buyer falling in love with it. After all, buying a home is an emotional thing.

Not yet convinced? Here are the five top reasons you should stage your home.

• It will sell your home fast. When you want to sell your home quickly, stage it.  In a 2013 study conducted by RESA, it found out that homes that are staged sell 73% faster than their non-staged counterparts. Staging makes everything better - from the marketing photos and videos, to the feeder sites, to printed materials like flyers and brochures. Well-staged homes look amazing in online photos and flyers, but more importantly, they make your home attractive to buyers which creates interest and excitement about your home, increasing its likelihood of selling.

•  It justifies your price. When you have a beautifully staged home, it is easier to ask for a higher price. Remember, a buyer will pay only what they think your home deserves. Upgrades are part of staging, and well-chosen updated appliances can increase your home’s listing price.

• It makes the house larger. Maybe you’ve heard of the expression “Empty rooms look smaller”. Rooms look bigger when they are furnished because you can see how many pieces of furniture it can fit inside, thus giving you a reference of what you can put. Staging is all about arranging furniture to create maximum space.

• It helps buyers imagine themselves in the house. Staging includes de-personalizing the home. When buyers visit your home and see your personal items still all over the place, it can be difficult for them to see themselves fitting in your home. Removing your personal items and replacing it with something neutral helps buyers better visualize themselves enjoying the comforts of the Shadow Cliff Pleasanton home you are selling.

• It will help you bag the “amazing first impression”.  Staging comprises of two parts - indoor and outdoor. It follows that a well-staged home has exceptional curb appeal, which is visible when people see your home from the street. It is what draws buyers to your home. A staged home looks more appealing and is more attractive to buyers.

You’ve probably heard many agents and Realtors® say “You will never get another chance to make a good first impression”. This describes accurately how necessary it is to pretty up your home.

Highlight your home’s best features. Show buyers your home’s potential. Stage your home before selling it.

If you want to know more home selling tips, visit http://HomeValuesPleasanton.com/.

Call me, Rhonda Fee, at (925)200-0827. Allow me to help you prepare your home for one of the biggest sales in your life.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Stage Your Home Before Selling on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/xwQRZLutHNs

Top 5 Outdoor Improvements That Will Add Value to Your Home

Boost your home’s resale value

Thinking of home improvements? If you are planning to put your Pleasanton CA home up for sale, or you just want a better looking home, you may want to consider getting outdoor improvements.

Outdoor living is a popular trend, and it has shown no signs of slowing down. People love having outdoor living spaces, a private space where they can retreat, relax, and entertain. Next to energy efficiency, outdoor upgrades is one of the home improvements buyers look for.

The best thing about outdoor improvement? It can be done with minimal cost, yet you get to enjoy a high return of investment. The NAR (National Association of Realtors®) 2016 Remodeling Impact Report : Outdoor Features  report a 100% in cost recovery.

Outdoor improvements with the highest ROI

Before you start thinking of getting a pool, installing a deck and a few other outdoor upgrades you’ve seen on TV, you should know that not all improvements have high ROI.

Some upgrades yield a lower percentage recovery. You need to know which upgrades can add the most value to your home.

Here are the top 5 outdoor improvements which will boost your home’s ROI.

1. Improved landscaping and gardening. Buyers perceive homes with landscaped front and backyards, gardens with flowering plants and trees have a higher value compared to homes with just a front lawn.

If you are selling your Pleasanton home, a basic upgrade you can do is to add flowering shrubs in your garden or pathway. When you want something low maintenance, opt for native plants or drought-tolerant plants available in your area. Adding a tree near the window will not only bring your home shade, it will also help keep the home a little cool especially during the summer.

Replacing your pathway with a flagstone walkway also enhances the curb appeal. Incorporating at least two large stone planters further enhance the outdoor appeal. Do you know that this improvement alone can add up to 10% on your home’s value?

2. Put up some lighting. With the proper lighting, the home comes alive. Once you’ve finished with the landscaping, show it off even at nighttime by installing electric or solar powered spotlights. Lighting also helps increase a home’s security, giving you better peace of mind.

3. Consider installing a patio. Many homes for sale in Pleasanton have patios, and if you have none, you may  consider getting one. The patio transforms the backyard into an enticing outdoor living space. Furnish it with several comfortable outdoor chairs and you now have a relaxing outdoor space.

4. Create an outdoor room by adding a pergola. Make your patio more exciting by adding a pergola. A pergola dramatically enhances a backyard’s look. It also allows for more shade and a perfect way to hang greeneries.
5. Add a fire pit. To complete your relaxing outdoor oasis, add a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace. On those rare chilly nights, this is the perfect spot to hang out with family and friends.

But you don’t need chilly nights to use the fire pit. You can also use it for roasting marshmallows, chicken tacos, and sausages. You don’t have to get the most expensive one either. Even the budget friendly ones will do, as long it serves the function for your summer soiree.

These outdoor improvements will definitely make you want to stay in your home a little longer. If you are selling your Pleasanton home, the new owner will surely thank you for creating a wonderful and relaxing space for them to enjoy.

Which ones are you going to do on your backyard?

Call me, Rhonda Fee, at 925-200-0827. Let me make your home selling transaction a smooth and stress free journey.

You can also check out my website http://HomeValuesPleasanton.com/ to learn about homes for sale in Pleasanton. 

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view Top 5 Outdoor Improvements That Will Add Value to Your Home  on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/rqfkA4b3edM