Staging 101

Most home buyers make their decision on the property they are about to purchase in the first 10 seconds after they walk in the front door. That’s amazing! Setting the stage from the front door is critical if you wish to sell your property quickly and for more $$$!!! As all sellers wish to secure as much money as possible for their property, hiring a stager can make all the difference. A stager can be that go-between for the listing agent and the seller. The agent walks a fine line between wanting to sell the property as quickly as possible and offending the seller by making “helpful hints” about de-cluttering their space. As a stager, I’m not afraid to speak up and let the seller know that the rooms must be cleared of all those “treasures” so highly valued by the owner, but appear as confusing clutter to the prospective buyer.

According to HGTV, national statistics have proven that professionally staged properties sell 169% faster than those who aren’t staged. It’s not unrealistic to obtain an extra 10% to 20% on the final selling price with a staged home. Imagination is not the strong suit for most buyers. They have a difficult time seeing past that bright blue paint that looked great on the swatch and turned out to be alarming on the wall! Those days of fixer-upper sales are waning quickly. Buyers are too busy with jobs, kids, after-school events, sports and recreation to care about renovations and design. In general we have become a nation of instant-gratification junkies and want the same thing in our homes! Most buyers today are working couples who want to move on Saturday, and go back to work on Monday morning with little or nothing to do to the property itself.







As the owner of MBS Associates, I’ve worked in the design business for over 35 years, so practical experience is my most valuable asset. I work directly with the client from curb to attic, showing them what can be done to best show off their property. Physical staging, not just making suggestions is one thing that I insist upon. It’s much more effective to actually make the changes occur right in front of the client’s eyes, to show them just how important it is to utilize a professional’s services. Fees for my services range from $150 to $500, usually paid by the seller, although some realtors absorb the cost themselves, or split it with the seller in order to move the property quickly. Please don’t hesitate to call me for a consultation. I can make things happen!
Phone Melody Sindel at 330-674-0896 (home) or 310- 683-8603 (cell).

Things are looking up for First Time Home Buyers!

On April 23, 2009 the Millersburg office of Dave Kaufman Realty hosted a First Time Home Buyers Seminar. We had a full house with attendees ranging from those that are just beginning their search, those who have already been looking for a home as well as some attendees’ just gathering information for the future. It is very important that you are and informed buyer considering the purchase of a home is the largest purchase you will make in your life.

Professionals were on hand to discuss the $8,000 tax credit that is available until November 30, 2009, lending procedures and how to get pre-approved, home inspections, deeds and how to prepare for your house hunt.

This tax credit is for 10% of the purchase price of the home up to $8,000 for qualified buyers. All homes count as long as you have not owned a home in the last 3 years and you will be using the home as your primary residence. It is important that you start looking at homes now and plan on making your decision by October 1 so that your home can be closed by November 30!

We will be taking reservations for our next First Time Home Buyer Seminar which will be offered every other month. Call 330-674-7355 for more information of to reserve your spot.

Well, the rain seems to have stopped - at least for now. They are predicting 80's

for the weekend and we just can't wait! Several auctions are coming up in the next few days so good weather is always appreciated. Check out our website for when and where these auctions are .......www.kaufmanrealty.com.

Recent birthdays at Kaufman Realty & Auctions include: Heather Scott, Elaine Stein, Curt Yoder (who turned 30!!) and this weekend Kate Overton. Curt was surprised with a beautiful balloon bouquet at an auction on his birthday last weekend. This was the Zurcher Estate in Wilmot. It sold well and there were a LOT of people there. Hopefully they all saw Curt with his balloons on his special day.

Several of us at Kaufman Realty have been participating in a speech program. Next Tues is the FINAL class, after months and months. Our group started with 18 people signing up for the workshop. Our finale', the "Speech Showcase" will be held on May 15 with 7 participants "graduating". Congratulations to the seven who stuck it out. Should be a lot of fun and I'm very excited. And nervous. After all these sessions, I still get butterflies and break out in a sweat. Better get working on Tuesday's speech.....

Go Cavs. Go Tribe. :)

Cy Young Baseball & Other Happenings

On Saturday March 28 Kaufman Realty & Auctions held the Noble Trust Auction to disperse of 300 Acres, Farm Machinery and Household contents. Among the contents was a baseball signed by the Cy Young, considered by many the greatest pitcher ever in the MLB. The ball had been in the family for as long as any of the children could remember. Early estimates valued the ball at $2,000 to $3,500, in the end it sold for $5,750 to a local businessman. Check out the video at the end of this blog.

Additional Items sold included an older CAT D9 Crawler tractor that sold for $14,500.

The real estate tended towards what we have been seeing in the market place lately. The vacant acreage sold fairly well while the residential parcel was somewhat soft. Check our results page after the closing of the real estate in approximately 45 days for complete breakdown on parcel prices.

The auction season is starting to heat up be sure to check our upcoming calendar for the latest offerings or to select the date for your auction. Check back to this blog on a weekly basis as we try to keep you updated with the latest news regarding the real estate and auctions markets as well as happenings at Kaufman Realty & Auctions.

Certified Auctioneers Institute

On March 23 at the CAI Classes in Bloomington Indiana, Year 2 Student Anthony Kaufman was recognized as a finalist for his Auction Proposal. The award for top proposal went to Braden McCurdy of McCurdy Auction in Wichita Kansas, http://www.mccurdyauction.com/. The Certified Auctioneers Institute is the most prestigious designation awarded in the auction industry, by the National Auctioneers Association. http://www.auctioneers.org/web/2007/06/cai__certified_auctioneer_insti.aspx for additonal information.