Staging, Yes or No?

Will staging increase your home’s value?

Staging your home is a new stress on top of the already stressful time of selling a home. Not only must sellers keep in mind the tremulous housing market, but they have to prepare their home for potential buyers as well.

In recent years, however, housing and selling techniques have become more strategic. Those preparing to put their home on the market have the advantage of now knowing just how to appeal to their buyer audience. To stage your home is no longer a nice idea. It’s one of the most important things you can do when selling your home. 

The process of staging a home to better appeal to potential buyers has become increasingly popular within recent years.

Stagedhomes.com shows that staged homes average 6 days for selling time on the market versus 48 days nationally.

According to Stagedhomes.com, “in a decreasing housing market, staged homes will sell quicker and for more money than a home that has not been staged. In an increasing housing market, staged homes will sell for even more money.”

What is a Staged Home?

Staging a home includes preparing a residence for sale in the housing market. A staged home entices buyers with a move-in ready look. And as we’ve already seen, a staged home will sell faster and for more than a home that isn’t staged.

Most staging techniques are primarily focused on the appearance of the home for sale. They transform the home into a more welcoming environment for potential buyers. Most staged homes include art, paintings, lights, plants, and rugs to give the property for sale a more attractive look.

How Much More do Staged Homes Sell For?

According to Schwarz’ stagedhome.com statistics, home staging can help reduce a property’s listing time on the market by 30 to 50 percent and could deliver a price that is six to 20 percent more than a vacant home or a home that is not properly staged.

Based on statistics from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), staging a 2,000 to 2,500 square foot vacant property can run from $2,950 to $5,250 in Ontario. Staging an occupied property of a similar size can cost anywhere from $1,400 to $2,700, depending on the condition of the homeowner’s furniture. That’s a small investment if it can help to sell the property faster and fetch more money for it.

The alternative is to do nothing and keep reducing the price of the property until it sells. Using the price reduction example above, having the property staged equates to a saving of approximately $14,550 to $18,400. In this scenario, both sellers and agents made more money.

If a professional staging service is not within the budget, my recommendation, at minimum, is to advise the clients to declutter every living space, including the garage, by a minimum of 30 to 50 percent. Remove oversized furniture and create a warm and inviting space for buyers to help them see the potential in the property for themselves. The more you and your client put into the preparation of the property, the greater the benefit, both in time and money.

1) https://www.remonline.com/is-home-staging-necessary/3

2) https://www.neighbor.com/storage-blog/should-you-stage-your-home-when-selling