What Home Buyers Really Want

Have you ever wondered what home buyers really want when they are looking at homes? Certainly there are factors that are as unique as the buyers -- some folks love a "project" and others don't want to lift a finger once the boxes are unpacked, some like colonials, others cape cods -- but buyers do have universal wants and needs when looking at a potential new home, and by tapping into these factors, you increase your potential for selling a home quickly!

Buyers like a clean house. Even for those people who aren't "neat-freaks" buyers like to walk into a home that has no strong odors, is tidy and have been thoroughly cleaned. A lot of home staging is about "clean"- clean lines, clean appearance, lawn maintained, etc. Buyers are very easily distracted, and home staging gives the buyer an idea of what the home could look like, without the distraction of clutter and mess.

Buyers like to feel like they are "home." This is a tricky concept for many sellers, but I have watched this phenomenon many times. When a buyer likes a house, they will linger. They will pull out a kitchen chair and sit. They will explore around the house in all the nooks and crannies. This can not happen if there is too many "personal" items in the house. Someone else's pets, large pictures of family, a lot of toiletries on the bathroom sink... It just cannot feel right to a buyer if they perceive themselves invading someone else's space. Just as home staging is about cleaning, staging is about de-personalizing a space, allowing it to be neutral to anyone coming in.

As we stage homes we take these two starting and important steps: cleaning and de-personalizing before we bring anything in. But after we have a "blank slate" we can start working our magic. Fresh paint, clean carpet, and nice furnishings can create a warm and inviting space--one that the buyers want to sit and enjoy - not just during their visit--but for years to come.

Carol Schulenberg
Ballantyne Home Staging
Charlotte, North Carolina

www.ballantynehomestaging.com | 980.322.5825 | carol@ballantynehomestaging.com