How the Internet has Changed House Hunting!
Since the advent of the internet, buying a home has changed dramatically. Today, home buyers choose the properties they want to see in person based on pictures posted online. This also means they are choosing the properties that they do not want to see. Combine this scenario with the knowledge that 8 out of 10 people do not have the imagination to see changes or the “hidden potential” in property – ultimately, online pictures play a critical role in attracting buyers and creating a first impression of your property.
Why do buyers pass over listings?
The location, price, and size of a property will quickly narrow the buyers’ list of potential properties. The buyers’ emotional response to a property then takes over as they try to imagine themselves living there. If buyers are confused about the floor plan of a property and the rooms are not clearly defined, they become less interested and move on to a different property where the space is clearly defined. The image below is the before picture of a client’s room that was undergoing a bit of an identity crisis.
Although the seller enjoyed having her office here, she wondered if it was worth the effort to move it before listing the house. We discussed how the desk area drew attention away from the built-in bar area and fireplace (behind the viewer) and that it would send a confusing message about the room. See the following picture that shows the changes we made to better define the space…
The seller understood that moving her home office to the smaller sitting room located just beyond the left-hand staircase would help define both rooms. The sofa from the sitting room was brought in to help define what this room is about – entertaining friends and family. The property was shown with a living room upstairs on the main level, the smaller office area on the second level and this family room on the lowest level.
Features of the home help define the floor plan…
We often forget that it is actually the features of the home such as doors, windows and flooring that are for sale. These features also indicate what the individual rooms are about and help define the floor plan. Just like the bar in the previous picture of the lower level family room, the picture below contains a subtle clue that indicates the best furniture placement for the room.
The sellers’ son had returned home briefly after graduating from college and recreated his dorm room here, complete with mini frig and electronics. Although many visitors would be distracted by this scene, there is a subtle clue in that indicates the best furniture placement. If you look closely there is a wall sconce above the TV and a matching sconce to the left out of view. These lights indicate that the headboard of the bed was intended to be positioned in between them. The after picture below shows this change.
The removal of the electronics and equipment began the moving process for this family. The transformation of this room shows how hard they worked to stage their home and bring out its’ best features. It cost them time and energy to stage their home but little to no money!
How to define a space when there are no unique features in a room.
When there are no unique features in a room to define it, it is still a good idea to be clear about its purpose and make a positive statement about it. The key is to find furnishings that logically define the space. The picture below shows is a good example of this.
The first impression visitors encounter as they enter this home is a room with a kind of sad and ambivalent atmosphere. The only clear message about the room is that it is not an important place for this family. None of the furnishings have any relevance to each other and many of the smaller items have been placed here by default. The picture below illustrates how we pulled this room together.
We looked at the largest furnishings to see if any would suggest a logical purpose for the space. Since the dresser would make more sense located in a bedroom, the piano and desk made the best pairing. The toys and telescope were removed because they did not support the idea of a home office.
See your home through a buyer’s lens…
Have you ever noticed how different you look in a photograph? The photograph gives you a new perspective of yourself that is unfamiliar. The same is true when you take pictures of your home. This can help you see your property as a prospective buyer sees it and it will help you begin the staging process. Staging will help you present your property online through pictures that make your property stand out amongst the competition.
Got questions?
If this has raised more questions for you or someone you know, consider a one hour home staging consultation. It will point you in the right direction and make the most of your time, energy and money. Send a text or call me today at 508-272-1657, email to info@turningpointredesign.com. Remember it is never too early to start a conversation!
Wishing you a profitable spring market!
Best regards,
Allison