Summer is just around the corner and you have decided it’s time to sell your house. One of the keys to a successful sale is the prep work before it goes on the market. Your real estate agent can guide you through the process of getting your property ready to list. Painting, cleaning and landscaping are just a few of the things that are often needed to give the property a fresh look. Your real estate agent may also suggest one more successful marketing tool – home staging.
What is home staging and why would a homeowner want to use this service?
Home staging is the process of preparing your property to sell with the goal of appealing to the broadest number of potential buyers. Whether your property is occupied or vacant, a professional home stager can add the necessary touches with furniture, lighting, artwork and accessories to give buyers the sense that this is their new home. Remember, when selling your home, it’s important to present the property in a way that appeals to most potential buyers, not necessarily in the way in which your family lives in the home.
Home staging helps potential buyers visualize how they would live in a property, which can be particularly important in properties that have unusual floor plans or spaces that you’re not quite sure what to do with. The effectiveness of home staging is well documented in statistics from the National Association of Realtors and Stagedhomes.com. In its 2019 report on Home Staging, the National Association of Realtors provided the following information:
83%of buyers’ agents say that staging makes it easier to visualize the property as their future home.
44%of buyers’ agents say that staging a home increases the dollar value offered.
The most commonly staged rooms when selling are the living room (93%), kitchen (84%) and master bedroom (78%).
53%of sellers’ agents say that staging a home decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market.
95%of agents recommend that sellers declutter their home before putting it on the market.
Similarly, Stagedhomes.com analyzed data from more than 2000 properties staged by Accredited Staging Professionals (ASPs) and found that 88% of those staged properties sold at or above list price with an average of 10 days on the market.
What can you expect when you hire a home stager? Typically, the stager will schedule an initial appointment to view the property. Then, the stager will create a staging plan that includes recommendations about which rooms and spaces to stage and about the types of staging items to be used (furniture pieces, lighting, accessories, artwork, etc.). Some staging plans may include different staging and pricing options.
Like painting, making necessary repairs and landscaping, staging can be a great investment in the sale of your home and can pay big dividends! Plus, staging fees are often much lower than the first price reduction if the home doesn’t sell quickly.
Once you have prepared and staged your property, don’t skimp on the photos! Professional photos are a great way to present your beautifully prepared and staged home to potential buyers.
Maria Tobin, ASP is the owner of Staged for Success. She has been staging in the Lake Norman and greater Charlotte area for over 11 years.
