Thread: Your Experience With Staging

I used to think that staging was so-so, but after the last two homes that I've listed, I'd now say that it's a must! BUT, only if it is done by a professional.

When you go into a model home in a new community is it staged? You bet it is! Why? Because they know that it works.

Most staging consultants will do a walk through with you and give you an idea of what costs you'll incur. Generally the more staging items, the more cost.

I recently staged a home for a client; It was 5 bedrooms and 2.5 baths at 3000 square feet. We staged almost the entire home and it cost $750 to start and 500 per month and then another $750 when sold. Not to bad if you ask me!

I'd recommend going to a new community and look at some model homes and ask who stages for them, they're usually the best!

Aaron,

Thank you for the informative response. Never thought of the new home models, you're right. Because we need to sell our house pretty quick, I think it is worth the associated costs.

I know it may be hard to quantify, but do you think that when you Staged your property, that it helped bring in a higher offer or possibly even multiple offers?

Originally Posted by Wimbley

Aaron,

Thank you for the informative response. Never thought of the new home models, you're right. Because we need to sell our house pretty quick, I think it is worth the associated costs.

I know it may be hard to quantify, but do you think that when you Staged your property, that it helped bring in a higher offer or possibly even multiple offers?

Not really...at least with regard to my listings, but with others, perhaps yes. The best way to get a high offer or possibly multiple offers is this:

1. The Right Price
2. The Right Terms
3. The Right Interior Condition (staging)
4. The Right Location
5. The Right Agent

You control 4 of the 5. Price it competitively and have the other 4 things in place and you will attract more buyers than your competition. Even a home that is priced below market can attract enough people to generate multiple offers which is far better than just one offer at a bit higher price in my opinion.

Originally Posted by BoiseRealEstateSoup

I used to think that staging was so-so, but after the last two homes that I've listed, I'd now say that it's a must!

I'll agree with that - staging really gets the prospective homebuyers more excited as to the house's potential. As for using a professional - true if you are renting the staging props, though using a woman's perspective is just as good - as long as you don't limit her - which is why using a professional yields better results as you don't have a say to what they are going to do - you either use them or you don't. It is not an area to skimp a few bucks, as that missing "floral arragement" might be the difference between a sale and the prospect moving on.

Just my opinions.

Later!

I would definitely recommend staging your home since typically staged homes sell for more and in less time. You can leave some of your old furniture to show the home better at the minimum

Originally Posted by Wimbley

Aaron,

Thank you for the informative response. Never thought of the new home models, you're right. Because we need to sell our house pretty quick, I think it is worth the associated costs.

I know it may be hard to quantify, but do you think that when you Staged your property, that it helped bring in a higher offer or possibly even multiple offers?

Staging is hugely important in this market place. During boom times there were so few listings and so many buyers that could get a loan that staging had a marginal effect.

In this market place you either have to stage it and make the home look perfect on first impression or you have to list it at a price that competes directly with the foreclosures. In most cases having a well staged home you will see a higher offer and surely much more likely that you will have more than one offer.

This is because buyers that are actively looking for a home are either those relocating into a area and they have company benefits to offset the cost of buying and then later selling the home they buy or they are looking for a steal of a deal on their first property. Those who are relocating tend to want a move in ready home where they do not have to do anything to the house and these people are willing to pay more for it. If you want to get the highest possible dollar for your home these are the people you want to target.