To Stage or Not To Stage… that is a question on the minds of many home sellers.
- Holly Sirois
- Jun 5, 2016
- 4 min read
If you are thinking about putting your home on the market, you might be asking yourself "is home staging really necessary when selling a home?"
The answer is yes and no, any home will eventually sell with or without home staging. The better question would be "will home staging sell a home faster and for more money?". We think so. While home staging will not sell your home for more than it is worth, it can bring you the highest sale price possible in your current market. While there are many factors that can affect the final sale price of your home, buyer appeal and the condition of your home is one of the biggest.
Do I need to bother with home staging in a sellers market?
If your home décor looks out dated and tired, if your furniture placement is awkward or crowded, if your rooms are not being used for their intended purpose (think dining room used as kid’s playroom), if your home’s best features are hidden under too much clutter, then your home could benefit from staging.
Can't buyers just imagine the potential without home staging? Most buyers are unable to look past clutter, outdated colors and poor furniture arrangement to envision the 'potential' of a home. By not taking the time to showcase your home’s best features, you are giving buyers a reason not to buy. A savvy seller knows that a ready-to-move-in house strategically staged to sell is more enticing to a buyer.
What exactly is involved in staging a home to sell? While there is sometimes a misconception of what home staging really involves, quite simply it is the process of making your home as appealing as possible to the majority of buyers in your specific market. You have a great home, so show it off.
Do I have to rent or buy all new furnishings to stage my home?
To fans of TV decorating shows, home staging brings visions of expensive remodels with celebrity designers hauling out all the homeowner’s furniture, packing up all their possessions and then replacing everything with new contemporary furniture and accessories. There is usually a major renovation or two involved in the process. While this type of home staging is beyond the budget of many, homeowners can still benefit from home staging techniques that will not break the budget.
The truth is staging your home for sale can be often be done for minimal costs. A lot of what needs to be accomplished if you choose to DIY requires nothing more than time and elbow grease. Deep cleaning, de-cluttering, making needed repairs and maintenance are the biggest part of staging that most homeowners can tackle on their own. Any major renovations should be carefully considered to evaluate the return on investment when selling.
When staging a home that is occupied, your own furniture can generally be utilized. Often just removing or rearranging some pieces creates a more open flow. Filling in with new or re-purposed accessories and artwork can create an inviting ambiance. Arranging furniture properly can improve the overall look of your home design by enhancing focal points, architectural features, and creating better traffic flow in your home. If you are having difficulty figuring out where to start, consider enlisting the help of a talented friend or home staging professional. A great real estate agent will include basic home staging as part of their listing services.
Benefits of Home Staging Staging creates an environment where buyers feel relaxed and welcomed. A de-cluttered, de-personalized home puts the buyer at ease and allows them to visualize themselves living in the home, making new memories, and giving them a new beginning for their story. The ultimate goal in staging your home is to have a buyer walks through your door with the only thought in their mind being: “I want to live here”. By strategically preparing your home for market you remove any obstacles that might keep a buyer from making a full price offer.
Shorter Time on the Market Who would not want their home to sell quickly? Having your home on the market is no easy task for most sellers. The strain of strangers tromping through your home combined with trying to keep everything spotless and show ready at all times while your daily life still keeps going on is enough to cause any homeowner stress. The fewer days your home is on the market, the better.
Staged Homes Are Easier to Keep Clean Part of the staging process involves de-cluttering and removing excess belongings to better highlight your home's attractive features and space. The lack of everyday clutter makes it a lot easier for most sellers to keep things clean and “show ready” during the time the home is on the market. A bonus to all the de-cluttering is that when your home does sell you already have a head start on packing to move. See Tips for Keeping Your Home “Market Ready”
Higher Sale Price You want the highest return on what is probably the most valuable asset you own, so showing off your home's best features and highlighting the value to buyers is important. The market proves that “staged” or as we prefer to call them “Show Ready” homes sell faster and for a higher price. If you are still wondering if staging a home in necessary in a seller’s market, the answer is a resounding YES!! In fact, we ask the question why would you not stage your home before putting it on the market ?
The Two Girls and A Key Real Estate Team offers home staging as part of our home listing services. Call us today for a complimentary consultation. 770-240-2004 x 968
We are Elisa Dichiara and Holly Sirois, the real estate team, Two Girls and A Key
Comments