To stage or not to stage? That is the question! Staging is a fairly new concept in the real estate industry. Over the past few years, some agents and buyers have struggled with the idea of paying money for home staging. However, a staged home has proven to sell faster and for more money.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, staged homes spend 73% less time on the market than non-staged homes and typically sell for up to 17% more. In the National Association of Realtors 2017 Profile of Home Staging, 77% of real estate agents said a staged listing makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home, which in turn leads to faster sales.
With over 90% of homebuyers starting their search online, marketing a staged home is easier and will give your property an advantage over the competition. Staging will show your property in it's best light and attract potential buyers. According to the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA), 82% of home buyers are likely to be distracted from minor flaws and focus on the positive aspects when they visit a staged home.
It's crucial that potential buyers are able to focus on the positive and picture themselves living in the space. Purchasing a home is an emotional decision. People buy on emotion and being able to envision their family living there is essential! The right home stager will have expertise in choosing the right colors, fabrics and furniture for any space and be able to arrange them in a way that makes the room look it's best. The stager isn't focused on creating an environment that suits a specific personal taste, but rather a space that appeals to a broad range of buyers.
The evidence shows that staging your home is essential for selling your property faster and for top dollar. Buyers will be willing to pay more for a staged home and will have a greater emotional connection to the space. Instead of seeing an empty room, or even worse, a room full of clutter or your specific personal touch, they'll see a staged space where they'll relax after a long day or gather with family on the weekends.
[INFOGRAPHIC] from the National Association of Realtors 2017 Profile of Home Staging
