I just said “No More”… and Sold By Looks was born.

Have you ever walked through an open house in your endeavour to buy yourself a home and said to yourself…  “Some one should have told them this house looks really cluttered. I can’t tell what it really looks like I don’t think it’s really worth that much…”, and many other things along those lines….

 Well after spending 23years in retail and tired of trying to fit my ever growing family around work I just said “no more”. So with six years of visual merchandising experience in the retail trade behind me I took my passion for home wares and decorating, completed an interior design diploma and decided to start my own business.

‘Sold By Looks’ was born…..

The idea behind my business is to provide a service for home owners looking to place their property on the market and needing an independent opinion on how best to maximise the sale price of their home. I visit my clients and accompany them on a casual tour of their home pointing out how to best present their home by revamping, renovating or simply rearranging their home. These ideas will at the very least achieve a speedy sale and hopefully get the price they are looking for if not even more.

After talking to a number of real estate agents I found many commented on clients asking them specifically for this value added advice and needed someone who had that creative edge to help them. The agents generally find their skills are in the house sale process and not in house presentation.. Having some one who can come in and see the client and answer these questions in a written report, which the client can refer to while prepare their home, was of great benefit to them and the client alike.

I first thought of this business idea when my husband and I renovated our previous home. The family grew too large and we needed to upsize. I took a number of my display ideas implemented them into the home while renovating and on the open house day… and magic happened. Our home sold on the first open house in the first week on the market. Not only that, we got the figure we were after. The house sold so quick we hadn’t as yet found a new home to move into.

I put this idea on the back burner for quite a while, but eventually my work became really stressful and was affecting my health. After about 12months and numerous trips to hospitals and specialists I realised it was never going to get any better. This gave me the motivation to finally start and complete my Interior Design Diploma. Another trip to hospital and a major operation pushed me over the edge and I finally made the decision to quit my normal job and start my own business.

The business is a great opportunity for me as it allows me to not only work in a field I do enjoy but, in a round about way I am still helping people with sales. All this and I am able to be there for our kids. As a mother, with three teenagers plus two still in Primary School I felt it was important for me to be there for them. You only get one chance at life, and your health and the wellbeing of your family is of the utmost importance as you can’t undo the damage once it is done.

So….. if you are thinking of selling or simply want some ideas on how to make your home “extra special” give me a call on ( 61) 0402 296 092 or visit my website  www.soldbylooks.com.au.

© Cindy Egerton 2007