Achieving Success
I currently have 2 full priced offers for my house, both from well qualified buyers, both received about 24 hours after my house went on the market, in what is supposedly is a very depressed buyers market.
Many people are amazed I pulled this off. How can I have people bidding up the price of my house in this economic climate? Here’s how I did it (and how I plan on achieving the dream of becoming a self supporting artist).
1. Listen to the Experts
I told my real estate agent what I wanted – to sell my house quickly and for a fair price although money was not as important as this being an effortless process. I told her my house was to sell in 2 weeks or less after it went on the market. Her advice was to fix everything, stage the house and to price it low (but not too low).
I pre-inspected my house and fixed everything, basically if it seemed worn or broken I made it like new again. Then I staged the house. Although I didn’t do it her way – I fired her stager, who wanted to turn my house into something it isn’t. It didn’t fit my vision or values. So I staged it my way – I’ve never staged a house before but how hard is it to toss out half my stuff and hang a few curtains? I then priced the house at the low end of what houses similar to mine were selling.
Her advice was absolutely accurate. Experts are experts for a reason. They are good to listen to but it’s never worth sacrificing ones values to do what they say. I was able to follow my agent’s advice and still feel good about my choices.
As I’ve been working on setting up my art business I’ve been looking to the experts, like Alyson Stanfield, to find out how to go about making this dream a reality. These types of people have a lot of good advice that is worth listening to.
2. Start with Quality
My house is an amazing house. It’s in one of the best neighborhoods in Parker because it’s not a cookie cutter neighborhood. We have large lots (I’m on a cul-de-sac). Plus my house is just fabulously beautiful with a perfect floor plan. I knew all those things when I bought the house, which is partly why I bought it, so it would be easier to sell later.
I know my textile paintings are extremely high quality. I’ve spent years perfecting my technique and my artistic vision. I know what I’m selling is superior quality, which makes it much easier to sell. I truly believe in the value of my art.
3. Visualize Success
Every day I said my house would sell in 2 weeks or less. I journaled about it. I constantly told my agent this would happen. I joked about it. I thought about it. I became very very clear as to exactly what I wanted and I visualized what that might look and feel like.
I am doing the same for my art business. I’m getting very clear as to what I want and I am thinking about how that feels and what it looks like. I talk about it often and journal about it. I keep the dream alive every day.
4. Take Action
All the thinking in the world wasn’t going to get my house on the market. I held a picture in my mind of what my house would look like when it sold quickly and I took action on making my house look exactly like my vision every single day for 2 months.
It was a huge amount of work but with my Getting Things Done lists and focused concentrated effort I was able to pull it all together. I coordinated dozens of contractors giving me estimates and 7 or 8 coming and doing the work in addition to doing a lot of the work myself. It made my head spin some days but I kept the vision of my house clear in my mind and just kept on working.
I know this is exactly the type of effort I need to get my art business off the ground. It’s hard work, fortunately it’s all work I enjoy (way more than having my hardwood floors refinished) so I’m really looking forward to it. I have a clear vision in my mind what my life will be like after I quit the day job and I’m doing everything I can to make it reality.
Doing things gets things done.
Moving Sale Update
I’ve been intending to create a list of all of my available artwork so I can post what’s part of my moving sale so you don’t have to guess in case you are interested in a piece. My plan is to do this on friday. Tomorrow I am going to go find a house to buy so I have somewhere to live after I sell this one.
Posted by Lisa in: Marketing
Tagged: Alyson Stanfield, artist success, Getting Things Done, moving
Wow! How awesome is that! Fingers crossed til the keys are handed off, but this sounds great!
congratulations Lisa! it is such an inspiration to hear about your success, whether it’s selling your house or art….
Whoohoo! Congrats, Lisa, on the offers and on seeing your plan come to fruition through intent, focus and hard work!
Congratulations, Lisa – terrific news!!
I was just going to ask where you intend to look for a house?
You are very inspiring!
That’s really great. I find that visualizing success works for me as well. People don’t believe me, but it works!
Wow! Congrats on the offers on your home and BEST WISHES for finding your new home. You’re amazing. Thanks for turning me on to I’d Rather Be in the Studio and ABP…wish I had this book/resource upon graduating from my mfa program back in ‘96.
Thank everyone.
Cynthia – I’ll be looking for a house near my kids school – not too far from you – 5-10 minutes in good traffic.
Oh good – maybe I’ll see you more often!!
Hi Lisa, I met you at Christine’s women’s retreat in December. I’ve been catching up on your journal and I must say it’s absolutely thrilling to read about your powerful steps in the area of selling your home and giving more priority to your art. I hear so much clarity coming from you here. It’s wonderful! Congratulations on all this good news. I’m cheering for you back here in Atlanta.
Congratulations Lisa. This is wonderful news. You have been working hard for this and I find your process very inspiring.
What an inspiration you are. Beyond the power of positive thinking, this shows what research, preparation, and a real plan can do!
Excellent list. It takes more then creating beautiful work to build a creative career. I wish you continued success.
Rosh
http://www.prosperousartists.com
Lisa, you are so good to me. This is an amazing post! And you have so many good things coming your way. But you already know that.