Home buyers in the Los Angeles real estate market want a house that is move in ready.

Home buyers don’t want an allowance to repair the roof, replace the carpet or repaint. Allowances are for teenagers. They want a well priced home, in a decent location, that they can move right in to without spending another dime.

Its a big fallacy that home buyers want to choose their own carpet or paint colors. If you choose a nice, neutral color carpet and nice neutral color wall paint (both things the best home stagers can help you with) most home buyers will see your home as more desirable because it is move-in-ready. They’ll be thrilled they don’t have to worry about picking out carpet and having it installed or find a painter who has time in their schedule. If your home stager can’t help you with this, then you are working with the wrong home stager.

Most home buyers are maxing out their home purchasing budget by making an offer on the nicest home they can possibly afford. They don’t have extra money to paint, install new carpet or retile the bathroom. They want to move in as soon as escrow closes, not after they have to make a lot of repairs to make their new home livable.

Here’s what happens when you offer a $5,000 allowance for repairing the roof that should have been replaced 5 years ago:

1. The buyer thinks “What else didn’t they repair that they should have?”
2. The buyer thinks “What structure got damaged by the leaky roof?”
3. The buyer thinks “Is it really going to cost only $5,000 to repair the roof?”
4. The buyer thinks “How much time will it take me to get bids, hire a roofing company & get the work done?”
5. The buyer thinks “What happens if (fill in the disaster: it rains, the contractor absconds with the deposit, a worker falls off the roof)?”
6. The buyer thinks “The seller must be desperate since the house isn’t in good shape.”

Here’s what happens next:

The buyer accepts your offer of $5,000 to repair the roof, and then also knocks off another 10% because they think the house is not in good condition or you are desperate…

~or~

The buyer rejects your house and moves on to the house down the street that is move in ready.

Here’s what happens when you offer a $3,000 allowance for new carpet:

1. The buyer thinks “Will $3,000 really cover new carpet for the whole house?”
2. The buyer thinks “I’m not from around here. Where do I buy new carpet?”
3. The buyer thinks “That house down the street already has new carpet. Why should I take on the added stress of shopping for & installing new carpet?”

Here’s what happens next:

The buyer accepts your offer of $3,000 to buy new carpet, and then also knocks off another 10% because they think your allowance won’t cover all the costs …

~or~

The buyer rejects your house and moves on to the house down the street that is move in ready and already has new carpet installed.

By not repairing and updating your home before you put it on the market, you are asking home buyers to assume risk and additional expenses. You add more stress and uncertainty to the situation. Many home buyers are already investing every penny they can get their hands on in order to purchase a home. They are unable or unwilling to purchase a home that will require repairs before they can move in. Additionally, the condition of your home may effect the appraisal causing the buyer’s lender to refuse the loan.

Want to get a Los Angeles home sold? Price it right, hire the best full service Realtor you can find, hire a professional home stager and make sure it is in move-in ready condition.

• Paint the oak cabinets a warm white
• Add brushed nickel knobs
• Replace the laminate counter-top with granite slab
• Replace the older appliances with new, stainless appliances
• Move the refrigerator from the laundry room into the kitchen (required removing some cabinets, but this kitchen does not lack cabinet space)
• Update the sink and faucet
• Replace the tired linoleum floor
• Replace the inadequate surface mount light fixtures with recessed lights (and more of them)

The cabinets were not replaced and the beautiful tile backsplash was spared.

Sierra Madre kitchen before home staging remodel

Sierra Madre kitchen after the home owners followed the home staging consultation recommendations

Sierra Madre kitchen before from another angle

Kitchen after the home owner followed the home staging consultation recommendations

These home owners saved money by sourcing and purchasing all the materials themselves, although I gave them recommendations on where they could get a good deal on appliances, knobs and fixtures. The kitchen is now beautiful, more functional and worthy of a home at this price.

And, as often happens, the homeowner said “Why didn’t we do this while we were living here?”

Sierra Madre Master Bath Before Staging Remodel

Sierra Madre Master Bath After Staging/Remodel

The homeowner used a left-over piece of granite from the kitchen remodel for the bathroom counter. New floor tile was also installed. In addition, a closet was removed which made the bathroom feel much larger.

Sierra Madre Master Bath Shower Before Staging/Remodel

(Drumroll for the new shower, please)

Isn’t that an amazing bathroom transformation?

I think the homeowners did a fantastic job with this bathroom transformation. I provided the guidance and design suggestions. The clients hired their own contractor and purchased the supplies. Once the work was finished, we came in and added finishing touches for the staging.

Because Moving Mountains Design is also a full service Interior Design company, we have he knowledge and resources to assist our clients on projects such as bathroom and kitchen remodels. Before you hire a home stager, make sure they are qualified and have the resources to help you prepare your home for market.

Here’s a slide show of the after photos:

Here’s some before and after photos:

Living room before home staging

Sierra Madre living room after staging

Sierra Madre dining room before home staging

Sierra Madre dining room after home staging

For more information about this fanastic Sierra Madre pool home with a city view, contact the listing agent, Irina Netchaev, at (626)627-7107. MLS #22143591

A home staging consultation by an experienced Los Angeles home stager will give you a clear understanding of what condition issues need to be addressed before putting your home on the market.

Here’s a terrific video from Jay Papasan, VP of Keller Williams Realty that explains it very graphically and in easy to understand terms. Its the best use of 3 1/2 + minutes I can imagine before listing your home.