Many home sellers and real estate professionals have different views and opinions on the value and benefits of home staging. If you've sold a home, or are getting read to sell one, you've most likely considered home staging. Home staging is essential for both vacant and non-vacant properties. A recent survey by Coldwell-Banker showed that 87% of buyers, including first timers, wanted a move-in-ready home and are willing to pay more for it.
If you're currently living in the home that you're selling, or plan on selling, chances are, it's full of your personal things and decor. Yes, you may have cleaned and de-cluttered, but did you get rid of the wall full of family photos? Did you re-paint your brightly colored living space? Will your decor appeal to a vast amount of home buyers?
If you're selling a vacant home, even a luxury property, not having any furnishings make the space look washed-out and empty in photos. Here are some of the top staging myths, debunked.
Myth #1
Your home was decorated by a design professional so you don't need to hire a home stager.
Fact: You may have hired a professional decorator when you moved in or paid a high price tag for new window treatments, however, this was done with YOUR style and taste in mind! It's likely how you chose to decorate your home will not appeal to the widest range of potential buyers. A stager will ensure a neutral palette as to not share too many personal characteristics of the home seller.
Myth #2
Home staging costs too much money.
Fact: The U.S. Housing and Urban Development has said that staged home spend 73% less time on the market than non-staged home and typically sell for up to 17% more. This means, on a $300,000 home, you could be getting up to $51,000 MORE for your home if it had been properly staged. According to Forbes, for every $100 invested in staging, the potential return is $400. We can almost guarantee home staging will cost you far less than a price reduction!
Myth #3
Your home stager will only focus on the interior of the house.
Fact: Your home stager will consider a potential buyers first impression from the moment they pull up. This means the yard, porch, front door, garage, and side of the home must all be in tip-top shape. Children's outdoor toys may need to be picked up. A landscaping professional may need to come and add some color or life to your front yard. Your front door may need a fresh coat of paint.
Myth #4
It is better to sell a home with nothing inside because it will look bigger and give the buyer a chance to envision what they would like.
Fact: Leaving an empty space will draw a potential buyers attention to ANY and EVERY flaw in that space. Any problems will the floor, paint, windows, etc. will be more apparent because there's nothing else to look for. Buyers also have a hard time visualizing how they could use the space and what furniture would fit. You want them to picture LIVING in the space, not worry about how they could decorate it.
Myth #5
Only expensive / luxury homes should be staged.
Fact: False. There are buyers out there who are looking for homes in all price ranges. Whether you're selling a million dollar home or a small $250k condo, presenting your property in its best light is necessary to attract your buyer. You need to show your home's potential, no matter how big or small it may be.
Myth #6
I do not need a stager, I can do it myself.
Fact: Some people can, however, most sellers aren't able to be objective when working with their own spaces. A home staging professional will have no emotional attachment to any of your furniture, decor or style.
For a free consultation, please contact Boston Modern Staging & Design.
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