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Ron Darby, broker co-owner of ERA Justin Realty since the 1980’s has been active in real estate since 1967. His expertise in real estate has brought thousands of transactions to the firm processed by his agents. He has been known as mentor to many, who have grown to major success status as multimillion dollar owners of their own firms and he has been responsible for the growth of ERA Justin Realty to “Top 100” status throughout the ERA real estate system globally and all across America,
ERA JUSTIN REALTY PROVIDES INSIGHT ON SELLING YOUR HOUSE VACANT
One of the first things you should do if you’re thinking about selling is to walk through your home and examine it with a critical eye. Imagine yourself as a buyer to make a mental note of the possible imperfections you’ve overlooked for years. The drapes may be faded from years of sun exposure. If you have children or pets, the interior doors and baseboards may be nicked and need paint. The floors might look worn. It may strike you that the place needs so much work that you ought to move out and do a fresh coat of paint, redo the floors and sell the house vacant. Possibly an over dramatization, but pros and cons to think about.
Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker co-owner suggests, “Painting and floor refurbishing are sometimes good ideas. Renewing the interior surfaces of your home when you sell may be one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make to increase your net proceeds. Buyers typically pay more for homes that are in move-in condition. The main reason for this is that first impressions play a big part in selling homes. When buyers walk into a home that looks bright, inviting and comfortable, they feel good. When most buyers walk into a vacant home, they feel that something is missing. Many people have a hard time imagining what a vacant home will look like when it’s furnished. For these buyers, a vacant house poses a problem. They walk into an empty living room and start worrying about how they’d furnish it.”
He continued, “A strategically furnished house creates a more pleasurable viewing experience and eases the process of buying. Granted, some buyers, such as architects and designers, have the ability to conceptualize in three-dimension. Some experienced buyers have moved so many times that they’ve developed the knack of visualizing their furniture in an empty space. But, you are likely to sell your home for more money if you can appeal to the entire pool of prospective buyers, not just those who have a particular expertise. You can certainly sell your home vacant but as a second choice. The question is how much more could you sell your home for if it was attractively furnished?”
Dian Hymer, author of “House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers” and“Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer’s Guide, wrote, “A listing in the Oakland Hills (Calif.) was put on the market. It had a great view, but was vacant. It did not sell on the market during a time when all well-priced listings in the area were selling. The listing was temporarily withdrawn from the market and staged with furniture and accessories. It was put back on the market at the same price and sold right away.”
The cost of staging your home for sale may seem prohibitive, but it needn’t be. Many sellers who stage their homes for sale use their own furniture after removing extra pieces and rearranging the rest. Some draperies can be removed and often don’t need to be replaced, unless they cover an unsightly or distracting outlook. For selling purposes, it’s important to let in as much light as possible. It’s a good idea to consult with a someone who is knowledgeable in staging homes for sale. A stager can arrange to bring in furniture if you decide that’s what you need. To keep costs down, you may be able to create an inviting ambiance without furnishing your entire house or condo. The living and dining room, kitchen, family room and master bedroom are the most important places to concentrate your staging efforts.
“There is a difference in real estate companies,” Darby continued, “Presenting consumer information, we believe, is in order to exceed sellers expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is about, as we don’t offer just the basics. In that way, we know that our sellers will hold us in the highest regard. Our sellers have put their thoughts in writing. We have on file for the asking, ‘What people are saying’ our report of over 700 quotes and reviews from our sellers and buyers. No other area real estate firm can offer that. Are we proud? Absolutely!”
All of the ERA Justin Realty full service real estate agents can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue, by office phone (201) 939-7500,(201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000’s of homes at their websites atwww.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.
