Enjoy Your Home Now…Sell it Fast Later!

Smart investments serve double duty

As a professional home stager, I can’t tell you how many times I hear people say: “Why didn’t we do this before?!” After preparing their home for sale, the house looks and feels so fabulous; they almost don’t want to move! So why not fix up, spruce up and fall in love with your home while you are in it? And when it comes time to sell, you will be way ahead of the game.

The big question is: what upgrades will make the biggest impact on future buyers and produce the greatest return on your investment? A quick look at the 2011 – 2012 Cost versus Value Report http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2011/costvsvalue/national.aspx will give you valuable information and a great starting point for prioritizing changes. The top five improvements for the Denver area reveal that maximizing living space and first impressions are key. Number one was attic bedroom addition at 76.40 ROI. The next four items were basement remodel, steel entry door replacement, garage door replacement, minor kitchen updates and deck additions. While you may not be able to recoup more than 65% - 70% for those improvements, they will help your home sell faster.

Another report put out annually by HomeGain.com shows other ways to bring an even better return on your investment and have a much more dramatic impact on potential buyers. The 2011 survey showed staging as the number three item with a whopping return of 299%! The first two items were also things that stagers do and recommend: clean and de-clutter at 586% and lighten and brighten at 313%. Staging takes your home to a whole new level of appeal by showing it to the best possible advantage and creating warmth and beauty that will be irresistible to future buyers.
So what are you waiting for? “It’s easier and less expensive (especially compared to the return on your investment) than you think to give your house a new look. Make a list of all the repairs that need to be done as well as all the upgrades and updates you would love to do, decide on a budget, prioritize and get started! A professional stager can assist you with expert knowledge and guidance as well as help you choose the perfect countertops, interior paint colors or whatever else you need. When the improvements are completed, have the house staged/redesigned -- a process which can usually be done in less than a day, using what you already have in your house. It’s the icing on the cake and you too will wonder, “Why didn’t I do this before?”

Lisa Sachleben
Design Refined
www.designrefined.com
303-929-0501

© 2001 – 2012 Lisa Sachleben, Design Refined