A reader recently posed this question: ”Home Staging seems like it could be super expensive to hire it done… could we do it ourselves?” The bottom-line answer, in short, is… maybe!! There’s two parts to this question… is it expensive, and can we do it ourselves?
Homeowners view home staging as an expense, but in reality, it is an investment that can pay off in many ways. Here are a few reasons why Home Staging is an investment and not an expense:
- Faster Sale: Staging can help your home sell faster, often within a few weeks or even days. This means you can move on to your next home more quickly, saving you time and money in the long run.
- Higher Sale Price: A well-staged home often sells for more than one that is not staged. This is because buyers are more likely to be attracted to a home that is clean, well-organized, and visually appealing. The added value can be substantial, making home staging a wise investment.
- Better Return on Investment: If you are looking to maximize your return on investment (ROI), home staging is an excellent choice. The costs associated with staging are often small compared to the potential return, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your home’s value.
- Competitive Advantage: With so many homes for sale, it can be difficult to stand out from the competition. Staging gives you an advantage by making your home more attractive to potential buyers. A well-staged home is more likely to receive offers and sell faster than a similar home that is not staged.
- Reduced Stress: Selling a home can be stressful, especially if it takes a long time to sell. Staging can help reduce the stress associated with selling by making your home more appealing and helping it sell faster.
The second aspect is: can we do this ourselves?! No doubt there are many talented homeowners who could do an exceptional job readying their home for the MLS. They would have a natural talent for design and have likely already designed and styled their homes beautifully. If this is you… I would still encourage you to invest in a Home Staging Consultation. At The Inviting Home, this is a service we offer consisting of a 2 hour walk-through during which room-by-room recommendations are given for the home seller to implement. The reason is this: we don’t look at our homes objectively. We think everything is perfect for us… and therefore must be perfect for other buyers! Maybe! But more often than not, a fresh set of eyes in our spaces will reveal staging tips/tricks that the typical, though talented, home seller hasn’t thought of. The consultation is a small investment for the sale of your (most likely) largest investment.
And for the home seller who doesn’t have a natural gift of home design, I urge you to research Home Stagers in your area. Check out their portfolio so you have an idea of his/her aesthetic. Typically, home sellers should expect to pay 3% of their asking price to prepare their home for the market. This could include repairs, updates, and the marketing costs of home staging. As noted above, staged homes typically sell faster, and for more, than un-staged… so this will work to your advantage and the cost to stage will be an investment worth making.
The following home wasn’t staged … the home seller tidied and decluttered… and presented the home as is. It didn’t sell. After moving, and hiring The Inviting Home to vacant stage the property, the home had an accepted offer within days. To the home sellers credit… they tried!! The home didn’t look horrible… but it didn’t showcase the possibilities that home staging did. It was an expense… turned investment… that the sellers were pretty happy about!!
Bottom line: Home Staging is an investment. Its part of the price you’ll pay to bring your product to market. As in most markets, you want a competitive edge… and Home Staging will give it to you!
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