The Importance of Staging - Part 1

Let's talk a little about Staging!

When you list your home for sale, it becomes a product rather than your personal retreat. You want potential homebuyers to be able to envision themselves living in the home. This can be difficult if your family's personality is still evident. Before going on market, your agent will recommend decluttering and depersonalizing. And...you may want to bring in a professional stager to help as well. This will help guide you through showing your home in its most marketable light.

Staging can set the right emotional tone for buyers. It can also help highlight the most attractive features of the home. Staging can also make you money. 77% of listing agents said a staged home increases the dollar value. Which means...yes, buyers are willing to pay more for a well-staged environment. 

Staging can also shorten the length of time your home is on the market. Agents report that their staged homes go under contract faster than those without.

A professional stager will sometimes begin with an in-home consultation. This is where they will walk through your home with you. They will review the property, and provide a report with their advice for the home. The report will include advice on decluttering, storing items, and reorganizing furniture. It may also include changing out paint colors in different rooms. The stager may also give tips for improving curb appeal. The living room, kitchen, master bedroom and dining room are the most common rooms to be staged.

Your home may need some repairs and touch-ups. You can do that yourself or hire a helping hand. 

If its little things your home needs, your stager could handle that. You stager could bring in supplementary furniture and decor items. They could also manage painting. OR...you can hire other contractors to come to your home. Like the saying goes, many hands make light work. This will get your home ready to go on the market quicker. The cost of services will depend on how much work your home will need. But if staged properly, your market value may increase...so it's a win/win for you as a seller.

Thanks for reading and come back in a few days when I have a Q & A about staging.

Until then - Keep it "Real"

Mary-Lou