The Wow factor

This article is a follow-up to my previous article:
Marketing a home for sale in this market can't be taken lightly

The "Wow" factor can be achieved in a variety of ways, many times without spending a dime or spending very little.

Without spending a dime you can do this by:
• Removing clutter from around a covered up fireplace. Fireplaces can often be turned into a beautiful focal point in a space.
• Pull back or remove heavy window treatments to reveal a beautiful view. Heavy window treatments can also darken up a room too much, which is never a good thing when you are trying to sell Arizona sunshine.
• Direct light towards a grand architectural feature. Spot lighting is a wonderful way to direct attention to focal points.
• Remove rugs to show gorgeous flooring. Rugs are practical, but they are also cover-ups. If you have expensive, beautiful flooring, show it off.

With a small investment you can to this by:
• Emphasizing high ceilings through the use of paint. You can add an accent paint color to one tall wall or even to the ceiling.
• Adding beams to a ceiling will also bring the "wow" factor in by drawing attention upwards.
• The use of paint on a dated or style-challenged fireplace might be your ticket to "wow".
• Making sure every "space"  in the home looks usable. Do this through the use of furniture and decor to create defined spaces. Keep in mind these new purchases can be taken to your new home.
• Green up your exterior with foliage. Spruce up existing landscape and/or use potted plants and flowers to brighten up a patio or walkway.

These suggestions are all very general and can be applied to most homes. Not all homes are created equal so there may be other options for you. Give me a call, I'd love to help you. 602-809-7710, Michelle

Marketing a home for sale in this market can't be taken lightly

Marketing a home for sale has changed considerably in the last 10 years due to the internet, mobile devices, and home cable shows. In today’s market it is crucial that your listings standout. Injecting the “wow” factor is not just a good idea, but a must if you’re serious about selling your listings. The “wow” factor can be achieved in many different ways. Often with little or no cost to the homeowner. What we are talking about is “staging.” 

MLF Photography & Design can provide necessary recommendations to make the home aesthetically pleasing to the majority of potential buyers, allowing them to create their own vision from the homes potential.

Once the staging is in place the next marketing step is to take the home to the public through the listing. To do this we want to present the home in its entirety to potential buyers. The photos you receive from MLF Photography & Design will not only show the features of the home, but it will also convey the layout of the home allowing buyers to envision themselves living there. All the photos will be numbered in a “suggested presentation” order for easy uploading to the MLS system. This will act as a virtual tour and ultimately save you time.

Michelle Fox, 602-809-7710

Homeowners: Don't rush your agent into listing your home prematurely

If you do, you will be setting them up for less than great results. Who does that affect? YOU.  Let the professional do their job the best way they know how. That is why you hired them, right?

Getting the best results when selling a home requires more than a listing on an MLS site. There is plenty of preparation required. You must be ready to put forth the effort. Don't be surprised if your agent tells you to get out the moving boxes. 

The first step in selling a home is getting the home ready for viewings, and photographs. To do this you'll need to:
• De-personalize - Remove ALL personal items from sight, even those you use daily.
• De-clutter - Remove ALL piles and collections.
• Clean - Floor to ceiling, shiny and sparkly, inside and outside.
• Repair -Fix any items that are in disrepair. Broken items are red-flags. They lead buyers into thinking the home wasn’t taken care of.and, 
• Neutralize your home - That dark or bright colored wall that worked for you for the last 10 years now needs to be neutralized. I like to use the phrase "light & bright". Make sure ALL window coverings are open, and light bulbs in fixtures work. Nothing is more annoying than a light that doesn’t work. Plus, this is a red-flag. It too can make a buyer think the home was not taken care of.

Once all this is done, the photos can be taken and the listing posted. But you're not done yet. The house needs to look like this "every" day until you have an offer, or until the sale is final, depending on your agent. Your agent will most likely give you a checklist to use each morning to help you make sure the home is ready for viewing at any given moment. 

The goal is to sell fast. Why? If you sell fast you have a better chance of selling for top dollar.

The thing is, if you do all the things listed above to the best of your ability, then you are increasing your odds of selling the home fast. That means more money in your pocket and less time making your home look like a model home that no one lives in. Win Win. 

Michelle L. Fox, 602-809-7710 #mlfpandd