So it was great to read an article in the local Advertiser stating that home makeovers are starting to become the norm.

Local leading Real Estate Agent Anthony Toop of Toop and Toop says the humble home makeover has come a long way.

“It’s gone from being a rare occurrence to being a normal practice,” he says.

“For us over the past 10 years it’s probably gone from about 20 per cent of our clients using it to 80 to 90 per cent.

“Twenty years ago, it was zero per cent.”

Mr Toop says properties that hit the market without a makeover were at risk of not reaching their selling potential.

“There is an expectation from buyers that they will be looking through a property that has been presented well,” he says.

“It does make a difference. The consumer generally struggles to visualise how a property could look.”

Mr Toop says the average investment on a home makeover is $1000 to $5000 and that it can result in up to a 10 to 15 per cent increase in selling price. “It can also speed up the sale process a little bit and change the category of buyers looking at the home,” he says.

If only more Real Estate agents would make it a standard practice to incorporate the services of a professional home stager as part of their marketing strategy then more home sellers would be exposed to the great benefits of increased home presentation and sell their homes faster for more!

Find out how our Sold for Top Dollar Transformation Package™ can help you with a home makeover that will knock your buyers socks off.

All home sellers are concerned with justifying spending money on home improvements when they are just about to move. Some of my clients need a lot of convincing that you need to invest money to make money when it comes to maximising the return on your largest investment. So it is always a bonus when you can quantify the return on your home improvement investment.

I certainly measure all the results I get with my clients using “as is” appraisals before any renovation and home staging improvement begin. Then after the house is sold I compare the gain that has been made – usually in the tens of thousands!

I recently came across a survey that had been done by HomeGain.com that measures the average cost of a range of home improvements done pre-sale, the average increase in sales and finally the average return on investment for that particular home improvement. The survey demonstrates that you don’t need to spend a large sum of money on improvements to get some really great returns.

HomeGain 2009 Top 11 DIY Home Improvements For Sellers (National)

Most people would be really upset if their superannuation fund suddenly dropped ten, twenty, thirty thousand dollars, or more. Yet many homeowners regularly suffer these kinds of losses without a second thought when they sell their home and/or investment property.

Why is that?  Why would homeowners fail to perceive that their home is an important investment, as well as shelter for themselves, their dog and cat?

For the vast home owning majority, building home equity is a critical component of retirement planning and building net worth. So, it only makes sense to get the most money possible when you sell. Think what you could do with those extra thousands of dollars

– A lifestyle reward like a holiday or a brand new car for your family
– A bigger down payment on your new home
– Capital to invest in a business venture or
– Money to create more wealth by funding another investment

It is a sad fact that very few homeowners sell their homes for the most money possible. They end up giving thousands of dollars to the buyers as equity gifts! A common thread I hear from people when they are getting ready to sell is  ”Why do I need to spend money when I am moving out anyway?”  They are unwilling to do what it takes when their home is involved and thousands of dollars in lost equity is on the line.

That’s where we come in. At Houses to Impress we believe in challenging the mindset & actions of home sellers. We believe home owners should think differently about how they sell their largest asset, their home. And most importantly, we believe that any homeowner has the ability to sell their home fast and for maximum price given the right advice.

Our top tips to achieve the most profit when you sell your home

• Change the way you think about your home – it is no longer your home, it is a marketable product
• See your house with a buyer’s eyes
• Repair it before your sell it – inspect your house like an Inspector!
• Get rid of all your stuff – buyers aren’t interested in your personal stuff. They are buying a lifestyle
• Lifestyle upgrades equate to Top Dollar Sales – think Kitchen, Bathroom, Garden
• Create more space by getting rid of excess clutter
• First impressions count – don’t forget your Street Appeal
• Dress you house to impress using home staging techniques

In getting the most money possible from the sale of your home, the condition of your home is what you have the greatest control over. If you ignore the condition or packaging, as the marketing people call it, it will come back to haunt you.

If you are ready to take action to turn your average house into a dream home that potential buyers will fall in love with click here to find out more about our "Sold for Top Dollar Transformation Package"