There are few who know real estate as well as Ellie Kowalchik. Fewer still who’ve dedicated the heart, soul, pride and passion to what’s become a long and prolific career centralized exclusively in Loveland. And when readying a house for sale—Ellie and her Move2Loveland team are unmatched.
“Buyers want HGTV.” Put simply: everyone wants the dream house already in dream condition. With endless programs showcasing design perfection across every room, today’s sellers are up against higher standards—an obstacle Ellie knows how to leverage and, more important, overcome. “It’s not your home anymore. It’s a property you’re selling,” she begins. “You still want it to feel like home to the person walking in—but some changes may not make it feel like yours anymore.” So where to start?
Picture Perfect
“Pictures are your first showing.” Buyers shop houses extensively online before ever committing to a showing, making high-quality photos critical to the selling process. “How many good houses are buyers eliminating because they didn’t like the look of a kitchen in a picture an agent probably took with their iPhone?” Ellie muses. And content is as essential as quality—Ellie uses a professional stager to strategically shift existing furniture or décor to ensure an irresistible shot.
“Neutral wins.”
While this doesn’t mean stripping your house down to its bare-bones, it does mean minimizing clutter and maximizing what your house has to offer—not what you’ve put in it. “Less is more—we want buyers to remember more about your house than your stuff.” Move personal items, area rugs, surplus dining chairs and more, but only repaint or re-carpet if noticeably outdated (aka, pink and green).
Take Our Advice
Prioritizing what will move the needle versus what’s unnecessary? That’s where you need an expert who knows the market—and you. “I would hate to encourage a seller to spend good money after a bad decision. There are times when it’s more appropriate to give a credit than replace,” Ellie continues. “No matter what the price range is, it’s that person’s biggest investment. I take that very seriously.”
Move2Loveland.com | 6377 Branch Hill Guinea Pike | 513.697.SELL
