83% of buyers' agents say that it's easier for potential buyers to visualize a home as their own home when that home is staged.
That means that even if a potential buyer walks into their dream home and it's full of clutter and chaos, they won't be able to picture themselves building a life there.
Most home stagers will say that nothing should be more than 50% full. That means to keep your bookshelves, cabinets, and mudrooms somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 occupied.
Staging a home does cost money, but it's significantly less than opting to renovate before you sell.
Plus, the cost to stage a home is worth it. Forbes says that for every $100 spent on staging a home, the potential return is $400.
Are you still wondering if it's worth it? Here's all you need to know when deciding whether or not to stage your home before it hits the market.
What Is a Home Stager?
Home stagers aren't just professionals; they're professional artists. An experienced home staging company is extremely skilled at what they do.
They take the time to figure out how to appeal to all 5 of a potential buyer's senses. Plus, they take into account the current market, trends, your home's style, and the taste of your potential buyers.
Their goal is to create an aesthetically pleasing experience that is both seamless and imaginative. They want the buyer to be able to picture themselves living in your home.
What Does a Home Stager Do?
The answer to that is, it depends. There's a huge range when it comes to cost, depending on whether they'll be doing a full stage or a partial one.
Plus, many home stagers offer additional services such as cleaning up the outside of a home or painting your front door, amongst other things.
Some of the things a home stager might do are:
- Use rooms for an intended purpose, such as a playroom, a home gym, or an inviting office
- Showcase rich textures and fabrics with accessories
- Drape your windows with clean and simple lines
- Arrange furniture in appealing groups to create an inviting and clutter-free space
- Add unique elements to complement the aesthetic of your home
Now let's take a look at some of the many benefits of home staging!
You'll Be Forced to Get the Worst out of the Way
A real estate staging service is the last step in your journey to get your home ready to hit the market.
Before you hire a home stager, you should clean and pack your home from top to bottom. Unfortunately, most people don't do these things before they put their home on the market.
And we understand why. It's overwhelming, and who has the time?
Forcing yourself to get those big jobs out of the way BEFORE it hits the market will provide you peace of mind going forward.
Staged Homes Sell Faster
Even though home staging hasn't been around for very long, the home staging cost is worth it. If you don't do it, you could be lowering your spot on the market, especially if it's a competitive one.
Home staging increases the value of a home. Homes that get staged before they are listed stay on the market for an average of 23 days. Homes that aren't staged before they hit the market, however, stay listed for an average of 143 days.
Staging Your Home Increases the Market Value
The same source we mentioned above tells us that in a survey of staged homes, almost half of those homes sold for 10% more than homes that weren't staged.
Depending on your home, that 10% increase could pay off significantly in the long run, making your staging a house cost well worth it.
Home Stagers Understand the Significance of First Impressions
Home stagers don't just fill your home with furnishings. They start with the first impression - your house's curb appeal.
When a potential buyer approaches a property, first impressions are everything. If you have any clutter in front of your home, a professional stager will get rid of it. If your front door needs a spruce up, they might even paint it an inviting, bold color.
The second impression is the foyer, and the emptier, the better. Even though an organized shoe closet is nice to see, stagers want buyers to feel as though the area is spacious so they can picture their own belongings in there.
Photos Are Everything
Most people search online before they even think to visit a property in person. When it comes to searching online, virtual tours and photos are everything.
Your home could have unlimited potential and a view that speaks to the soul. But if potential buyers can't get a sense of that through photos, the chances are higher they won't venture out to see it.
Clutter in photos is overwhelming. Plus, it'll make your space look smaller and antiquated. You want people to feel enticed and relaxed when they peruse the photos of your listed property.
Staging a Home Frees up Your Time
So you've decided to sell your home. That doesn't mean you can take time away from your job or your family. All it means is that you now have more to do.
But, if you hire a home stager to worry about the state of your home, it's one less thing that YOU have to worry about. You can use that time to focus on everything else you're already committed to.
You'll Alleviate Some Stress
Buying or selling a home can be extremely stressful, especially if you depend on that sale to take you into your next home.
Rather than wonder how long your home will sit on the market, hiring a home stager will at least ensure that you're doing everything you can to sell your home as quickly as possible.
Home Stagers Have Massive Inventory
If your furniture is mismatched or antiquated, have no fear! Home stagers have access to a vast inventory, which is one of the reasons why the cost of staging a house is worth it for many sellers.
From antiques to modern styles, home stagers have a wide variety of furnishings and accessories to choose from ensureing that what your home boasts is what's appealing to the market.
It Puts You Ahead of the Competition
In many areas of the United States, there's an imbalance between supply and demand when it comes to housing.
More often than not, there are too many homes listed with not enough buyers to take them off the market.
If this situation applies to you and the home you're trying to sell, you shouldn't hesitate to stage your home. You want your home to stand out from the rest, and for the aesthetic to leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.
The longer your home stays on the market, the more suspicious buyers will be. It's an unfortunate but inevitable truth. So if there's competition where you're listing, your pockets and peace of mind will benefit from hiring a home stager.
When Should You Not Stage Your Home?
Staging a home is an effective way to ensure your home sells fast for what it's worth, but not every seller needs to hire a home stager.
Sometimes real estate staging costs aren't necessary.
For example, if the market is a seller's market, you might not need to stage your home, especially if the qualities or selling points of your home speak for themselves.
If you want to sell your home fast and you don't care much about getting below what it's worth, you can forego the stager and set your price slightly below the rest. Talk with your agent to make sure you don't set the price too low, which can turn potential buyers away.
If you don't care how long your home sits on the market, then don't waste time hiring a home stager. Home stagers charge monthly for the furniture and accessories that stay in your house while it sits on the market.
If your home is in desperate need of renovations, they might benefit the property more than home staging. Here are some tips for renovating on a budget.
Think About the Benefits With the Cost to Stage a Home
The cost to stage a home is often well worth the investment. It increases your house's curb appeal, raises its market value, and sells your home faster.
Most sellers find that the return is well worth initial costs. However, it's not for everyone, and stagers do charge monthly for the pieces they leave in your home.
Talk to your real estate agent to determine whether it's the best choice for you and your abode before you make a decision.
Are you thinking about selling and want to know what your home is worth? You can find out about pricing in your area here.
Do you need an agent you can trust? Find a top expert where you live here!