Is it necessary to stage your home for it to sell? Staging your home allows sellers to command a higher sale price.
Why should you prep your home for sale?
Staging your home allows sellers to command a higher sale price. Clean, beautiful, and well-maintained homes just sell for more than less desirable houses. Buyers understand that the house will not need a lot of repairs when they move in. Although in this seller’s market, you have a better chance of selling your home as-is, ultimately you stand to receive a higher offer in a quicker timeframe with a properly staged home.
Over 80% of buyer’s agents agree that home staging makes it easier for those looking to purchase a home to see the property as a potential home. Consistent data from industry analysis backs the statement that staged homes sell faster and turn a bigger profit compared to those that are not staged.
Think of staging your home as part of your total marketing package. You can have the best photos, have plenty of showings, but not get the offers if the home does not show well.
What does my agent mean when he/she says I should stage my home?
Staging is the visual marketing side of selling your home. The aim is to compliment your home without it looking like you are trying too hard to do so. The Ann Milton Realty Team knows that a good staging job can showcase the home’s best features while covering its less-than-ideal parts.
How Does Staging Affect Time on Market.
The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) includes a staging savings calculator that allows you to calculate how much time and money you will save (mortgage payments, carrying expenses, etc.) if you stage your house before selling it. According to its “Consumers Guide to Real Estate Staging,” houses that were not staged before listing languished on the market for an average of 143 days. In contrast, once they were staged they sold in 40 days. Homes that were staged before listing spent an average of 23 days on the market.
How Does Staging Affect Sale Price
According to the NAR research, 58% of sellers’ realtors are certain that staged houses command a higher price from purchasers. According to Home Staging Resource, a study of 4,200 staged houses, 85% sold for 6-25% more than un-staged.
How Much Does Staging Cost?
Because there are so many factors, it’s impossible to have a standard price tag on staging. Pricing factors include the state and city where the property is situated, and if it’s an empty or occupied property. A prospective buyer may notice every problem in an empty home. Some stagers bill by the hour, while others offer a flat price. Ensure you understand the details of any contract, including initial charge, timeline, and extra fees, such as furniture rentals.
The Bottom Line is Higher Potential Offers
Consider the cost of a professional stager an investment. It will be a worthwhile return on your investment when your home sells quickly and brings in a higher offer. In the end, it can cost you more to not stage your home than to have that upfront cost. On average, the cost of staging is significantly less than any price reduction you might revert to.
There is no official licensing or certification for professional home stagers. The best way to find a good one is to seek out referrals like those from the Ann Milton Realty Team.
In the end, staging helps with the sale of a home even in a seller’s market.