The following is a guest post from Patti Stern of PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating
The first step to getting a home sold quickly and for top dollar is choosing a real estate professional whose expertise can help to successfully market a home. One of the most important things a trusted real estate agent will recommend is the service of a professional home stager to bring out the best in a home. However, many sellers are still hesitant and need to be convinced why staging is a worthwhile investment. The following are some key points to consider when deciding whether to stage a home before listing.
- Higher Sale Price vs. Possible Price Reduction.
Staging will boost a home’s perceived value. According to The International Association of Home Staging Professionals, 95% of staged homes sell on average in 11 days or less and for 17% above the asking price compared to those not staged, in a similar market. Since a move-in ready home that a buyer can visualize living in will most likely sell for top dollar, the money spent upfront to hire a staging professional is a fraction of the cost of just one price reduction. - Fast Selling Time vs. Stress From Not Selling.
The longer a property remains on the market, the lower the offers will become and the more stress it will bring. Staging will set a home apart from the competition and attracts buyers who are ready to move quickly on a sale. In addition, top-notch photos taken after a home is staged to market a listing on the internet will spark the interest of those buyers initially shopping online. - Third Party Objectivity vs. Emotional Burden.
When depersonalizing a space, a professional stager will use their expertise to take the burden off of both the real estate agent who is uncomfortable with possibly offending their client as well as the seller who may have a hard time detaching from their home. A stager will manage all aspects of the recommended improvements from de-cluttering to removing sentimental photos so the seller doesn’t feel overwhelmed emotionally. - Knowledge and Efficiency vs. Wasted Low Return on Effort and Investment.
The benefits of staging go beyond just making a space attractive. If a seller with a good sense of style decides to tackle certain aspects of staging themselves, they may not understand what is priority in terms of the features that will be marketable to the largest possible audience. A professional will have a better understanding of what will inspire an offer and can therefore make suggestions for alternative furniture placement or paint colors that will enhance a room’s original architectural features and charm. - One-Stop Shopping vs. Hiring Multiple Workers.
Hiring a full-service stager who has a team of professionals on standby to manage the entire process and deliver the home ready for market is key. The staging team can coordinate a comprehensive and detailed plan to de-clutter, paint, repair, update and ultimately sell the property. This convenience gives the seller less details to worry about.
For more examples of interior decorating and home staging, visit pjstagingdecorating.com.
Header image is a dining room staged by PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating
