Maximize Your Home’s Value: Why Online Professional Staging Beats DIY Every Time
Considering selling your home and tempted to handle the staging on your own to save money? While it’s possible, consulting a professional stager could significantly boost your final sale price. Expert insights can make all the difference.
Online home staging consultations open doors to collaborating with top-notch stagers, regardless of your location or the absence of local experts. Experience the magic of expert advice, no matter where you are.
Benefits of an Online Home Staging Consultation.
An online home staging consultation, as opposed to an in-person consultation, offers several distinct advantages:
Convenience: Clients can easily schedule sessions at times that work best for them, without needing to coordinate for a physical meeting.
Safety: Especially in situations where health concerns (like pandemics) are prevalent, online consultations reduce risks associated with personal interactions.
Accessibility: Clients from any geographic location can access top-notch professionals, not just those located nearby.
Cost-Effective: Often, online consultations can be less expensive as there are no travel expenses or time associated with commuting.
Flexibility: It’s easier to reschedule or adjust appointment times without the hassle of considering commute or travel disruptions.
Documentation: Virtual consultations can be recorded (with permission), allowing homeowners to review advice and instructions as needed.
Immediate Implementation: Clients can start making recommended changes right after the consultation.
Eco-friendly: Reduces carbon footprint as there’s no need for vehicular transportation.
Comfort: Being in the comfort of one’s own home can make the consultation less intimidating and more relaxed for some clients.
Efficiency: Digital tools can be employed during the consultation, like screen sharing, which can help in showing visuals, designs, or examples instantly.
However, it’s worth noting that while online consultations offer many benefits, in-person consultations can provide a tactile and immediate understanding of space, which might be preferred by some clients or specific projects.
Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Benefits of Doing a Home Staging Consultation with a Professional versus Self Staging
Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Opting for an online consultation with a professional stager, as opposed to self-staging based on personal preferences, has multiple advantages:
Expert Insight: Professional stagers have the training and experience to identify a home’s strengths and weaknesses, ensuring the best features are highlighted.
Objective View: Homeowners may be emotionally attached to their property and its decor. A professional provides an unbiased perspective, focusing on broad buyer appeal rather than personal tastes.
Cost-Effective: While there’s an upfront fee, investing in a professional consultation can lead to a higher sale price, often compensating for the initial outlay and reducing potential lost profits from price reductions.
Current Market Trends: Stagers are updated on the latest home design and buyer trends, ensuring the home appeals to the contemporary buyer’s preferences.
Space Optimization: A professional can suggest layouts and designs that make rooms appear larger and more functional, maximizing the potential of every space.
Resource Recommendations: Professional stagers often have a list of trusted vendors, from furniture rental companies to painters, which can be invaluable for homeowners.
Efficiency: Based on their experience, professional stagers can quickly identify solutions, saving homeowners time and effort.
Avoid Common Mistakes: Without professional guidance, homeowners might over-personalize or clutter spaces. Stagers help prevent such pitfalls.
Enhanced Online Appeal: In the digital age, property listings often start online. Stagers know how to create spaces that photograph well, increasing online interest.
Psychological Impact: Stagers understand the psychology of buyers and create spaces that evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and potential.
Flexibility & Convenience: Online consultations can be scheduled at the homeowner’s convenience and provide actionable advice without the need for in-person visits.
Value Proposition: A well-staged home differentiates itself in the market, especially in areas with many similar property listings.
Boosts Confidence: Having the endorsement of a professional can boost a seller’s confidence in their property’s presentation during showings and open houses.
While self-staging might seem like a cost-saving approach, the expertise and insights of a professional stager, even in an online format, can yield a swifter sale and often a better return on investment.
Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Ready to get a better sales price on your home?
Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.
Every initial inquiry about home staging usually begins with, “What’s the cost?”
Likewise, if you offer a service or product, you’ve likely been asked the same.
While the cost of home staging might catch some off guard, it’s essential to consider its value. Thinking it’s “too expensive” is relative. Compared to the price drop on your home? It’s a wise investment!
“Home staging is more expensive than I expected.” More expensive compared to what? Not your first price reduction.
I completely understand the instinct to seek the best deal possible. A recent client expressed that the staging costs exceeded her expectations, but she chose to proceed. She recalled instances where investing a bit more yielded significant returns and satisfaction.
She’s insightful! She hoped for a specific selling price, yet a realtor confided that, given its present state, her home might fall short by $20K. Homes that don’t outshine the competition often linger on the market, frequently leading to reductions of around $10K. This protraction not only causes stress but also escalates costs, including mortgages and utilities.
The outcome? After staging, her home attracted two offers above the asking price within a day and 15 offers in a week, finally selling at a price $30K beyond her initial expectation!
Her investment in staging yielded a return 30 times its cost. Rather than potentially losing $20K, she sold rapidly, netting an extra $30K. So, is staging an expense you can overlook?
Consider another scenario: After staging a client’s home, it was snapped up on its very first day on the market at the full asking price. Although they didn’t secure an amount above their initial price due to maintenance and repair needs, the swift sale spared them the hassle of countless showings and the stress associated with it. Moreover, they saved a considerable sum on monthly maintenance costs.
“Home staging is too expensive. That belief is going to cost you.”
In another case, I staged a home that had been on the market several years without selling. In the beginning, the owner did not want to spend money on staging and tried to sell it vacant. No luck. They had numerous price reductions. After a year or more they decided to stage with a lower priced staging service that did minimal staging in some of the rooms. No luck. Finally, two years later they contacted me. After doing a professional staging job, the house sold in 6 weeks. That was actually very fast considering the home had been on the market for years and had the stigma of “what is wrong with that house that it has not sold yet”. Think of all the money and time this seller lost in trying to save a little on home staging costs.
How much are you prepared to shave off your sales price for a cut-rate staging service, or by skipping staging altogether?
Is the immediate savings on staging worth the potential loss in your final sale price? What truly matters: a short-term saving or a quicker, more profitable sale in the long run?
Ready to drop your expensive belief?
Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.
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Interested in becoming a home stager? I recommend the Staging Diva Home Staging Training program!
A Seller’s Market is the Perfect Time to Spend Money on Home Staging
If you are like most people selling your home in a seller’s market, where there are few houses for sale and lots of buyers, you would think spending money on home staging is a dumb idea.
After all, why spend money on staging when you can reasonably expect it will sell quickly. Why spend money on fixing things or remodeling? Why spend money on painting, or even cleaning?
I see it all the time. I live in a small town that has limited housing, so it is always a seller’s market. I am amazed sometimes at the listing photos I see online.
I get it. What you are really saying is why spend any money at all if you do not have to. You do have holding costs like mortgage and utilities after all and will have to pay your realtor and closing costs.
“That is an interesting belief that will cost you.”
Think about it. The supply of houses is limited. People are looking to buy. They want the best house they can get for the money. If there are five houses for sale, and they all look just OK, including yours, you will likely still sell quickly but at what price? About the same as everyone else with a similar OK house.
What if your house looks amazing compared to the other similar homes? Everyone is going to want it. What will happen? Can you say bidding war?
What do I mean when I say amazing? Your house is clean, repaired, beautifully staged and move in ready. You have professional photos showing it off online. Everyone will want it and they all know everyone else will want it too!
OK, I hear your gears grinding from here…. but how much will it cost me to do all that compared to how much more I will get on my home sale? I am glad you asked.
In my experience, if people spend .5 to 1% of the home’s value on getting their home ready for market, which includes the painting, repairs, cleaning, and staging, they often get 10-20% more on their home sale.
For example, I recently staged a home in a seller’s market. The realtor was concerned that the seller would be lucky to get 20K less than they wanted to list for in the house’s current condition. The owner knew they needed to move their things out and get it cleaned. They were not considering doing much more. The realtor suggested home staging.
We started with a consultation in which I recommended painting over some colors I knew would not be appealing to buyers, installing some missing lights, removing most of the existing furniture and personal items , having it cleaned, having the yard work done and for me to stage it. I believe the maintenance and painting probably cost them about $500. The consultation, staging and accessory rentals cost about $1500. So, the owner spent about $2000 to prepare it for market.
So, what happened? After I staged the home, the seller received 2 over asking price offers within 24 hours and 15 offers in 7 days. They sold the house for 30K over asking price! So not only did they make up for the 20K the realtor thought they could not get to meet their asking price, but they also made an additional 30K. That is 50K more than expected, because they spent 2K on preparing and staging.
Note this was a small house, so costs to prepare or stage and prepare larger houses can vary quite a bit based on the size and what they need. At the same time, larger houses have a much higher sales price and greater opportunity for the seller to make even more on the sale.
Spending money on home staging is kind of like going on a diet. You have to put up with a little short-term pain of spending some money up front to get the big pay-off in the end. Or instead, maybe I should say home staging is like going on a healthy diet….you know it is the right thing to do to get a return of perfect health, and with home staging to get the return of your best sales price. It is simply hard to get started!
So, are you going to hang out eating cookies all day or do what is good for you?
So Are You Going to Eat Cookies All Day?
Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. Click on the pictures to learn more. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote
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Interested in becoming a home stager? I recommend the Staging Diva Home Staging Training program!
FAQs for Realtors on Home Staging
FAQs for Realtors on Home Staging – What you need to know about cost, time, value, and how home staging leads to more listings.
Most Realtors have heard of home staging and how it can help sell a home faster and for more money but many Realtors still have questions. Here are answers to some common questions about how home staging works.
WHAT IS HOME STAGING?
What is home staging?
Home Staging is a marketing tool that uses decorating to show off a home’s best features while downplaying its flaws. Done right, staging creates an emotional connection between home and buyer, leading to a faster sale at maximum value.
Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Is staging just for vacant homes?
Home staging is for all homes, occupied or vacant. Staging a home with what a home seller already has is always the preferred choice, as it leads to greater savings on rental furniture and labor fees.
Usually the first question I get! A better question might be can home staging help me sell faster and for more! Think of home staging as an investment, rather than a cost.
That investment will depend on the size of the house, if it is vacant or occupied, if the stager will do everything or just a consultation, followed by the seller doing the bulk of the work. It also depends on the seller having suitable furniture and accessories or if items need to be rented.
Stagers charge a fee for a consultation and give an estimate (based on an hourly fee, or a flat fee) if additional time is needed. A monthly rental fee may apply for furniture and/or accessories.
On average, stagers charge $300-$500 for that initial “working” consultation and about $100/hour for their time after that. Furniture and accessory rental costs vary based on what is needed to properly showcase the home.
Just like a home seller shouldn’t pick a real estate agent based on the highest quoted sale price for your home, a stager should not be picked based on the lowest bid. In both cases, the agent and the stager may be quoting that price just to get the job. You get what you pay for. Quality counts.
Who pays for home staging?
Some popular options include:
the home seller pays all
the real estate agent pays for a consultation
the real estate agent reimburses the home seller at closing for an agreed amount (i.e.: for the initial “working” consultation).
the real estate agent pays all or part of the staging
More and more Realtors are covering the cost of a consultation as part of their marketing plan, leaving any further investment up to the home seller. For clients that like to DIY, a consultation may be all they need to properly prepare their home for sale. See the article, “Who Pays for Home Staging” for more detail.
As a Realtor, why should I pay for home staging or a consultation?
Many savvy Realtors pay for the initial consultation and their clients pay for any additional staging services.
While getting a higher price is paramount for home sellers, it may not make a big difference in a Realtor’s commission, but certainly makes for happier clients and more referrals! Ultimately, selling faster will be great for you and your client because everyone gets paid faster. It also lowers marketing expenses for you and holding costs for your client. Home staging is an investment. With little money up front, you should be able to list the property for more and sell faster.
How can I help my clients understand the value of home staging?
Help your sellers see that staging will cost less than that first price reduction. The increased sales price of their home, faster closing, and reduced holding costs, will more than cover the staging investment and all with a whole lot less stress!
My sellers have a very limited budget. How can they afford the services of a professional home stager?
Think you can’t afford to hire a professional home stager? In today’s market, you can’t afford not to. For the most budget friendly option, invest in a home staging consultation. Home sellers can do the work themselves based on the advice of a professional home stager. For the best results, have the stager return for a final checkup prior to photos.
How much does it cost to do “Lite Staging”?
Putting a few decorative items or sparse furniture in an otherwise vacant house is often more distracting for buyers than not adding anything at all. “Lite” staging or “vignette” staging of small areas is generally not a good investment as it does not help make that emotional connection which sells the home. It also does not highlight the home’s best features, give buyers a sense of how big the space is, or how their furniture might fit in the space.
PROCESS AND TIMELINE
How long does it take to stage a home?
This varies based on the size of the home, what is needed to best market the property, and the experience of the stager.
Overall, I find that an average occupied home can be staged in 8 hours or less, and a vacant home in 2 days or about 16-18 hours. If you plan to stage a vacant home, it is best to call the stager at least 2-3 weeks prior to listing. An occupied home may require less lead time, based on the staging needs. For best results, call the stager as soon as possible.
What is the home staging process for a vacant home?
Generally, staging can be completed within 7-14 days after the initial consultation and all needed repairs and updates are complete.
Consultation– Up to 2 hours
Pre-staging- (usually 1-2 weeks). Home seller works on the consultation task list to get the home cleaned, de-cluttered, maintained, and completes updates such as painting, replacing flooring or lighting etc. The stager prepares the staging plan, coordinates with furniture rental companies, and prepares art, accessories, and furniture for transport.
Staging- 1 to 2 days on site.
De-staging- 2-3 hours. Prior to closing and after inspection is complete and/or contract is signed.
What is the home staging process for an occupied home?
Consultation– Up to 2 hours.
Pre-staging- (usually 1-2 weeks). Home seller works on the consultation task list to get the home cleaned, de-cluttered, maintained, and completes updates such as painting, replacing flooring or lighting etc. The stager prepares the staging plan, coordinates with furniture rental companies, and prepares art, accessories, and furniture, if applicable, for transport.
Staging- As little as a few hours or up to a full day.. Sometimes it can be done directly after the consultation.
De-staging- (usually 2-3 hours, if the seller has rented furniture or accessories). After inspection is complete and/or contracts are signed
Please visit my Services page and call to discuss details.
What does a consultation include?
A consultation gives your sellers a complete list of everything they can do to prepare their home, both inside and out – whether it is vacant or occupied. With this information, the home owner can then decide how much work they will do themselves and how much they would like the stager to do. Recommendations include:
cleaning
decluttering
maintenance
paint colors
flooring
lighting
furniture and accessory placement to highlight each space or focal point
purchases, if needed, for bedding, towels, or other items
contractors
advice for keeping the home show ready
curb appeal
preparing for the photo shoot
A professional consultation can help reinforce information you, as the Realtor, already provide.
It is always faster and more effective to hire the right professional for the job. If you wouldn’t recommend a home seller list as For Sale By Owner (FSBO), then it’s probably not a good idea to do the staging yourself. Even if you are a home stager, you still may wish to avoid staging the clients’ home and having those difficult conversations about cleaning, odors, pets, animal heads and the like to maintain a great relationship with your client. Wouldn’t your time be better used marketing your current listings and finding more?
Should every house be staged?
All houses can benefit from a 2-hour home staging consultation. There is always something that can be done to raise the perceived value of a home in the buyer’s eyes. A small investment in a home staging consultation can increase buyer appeal, reaping large rewards in the final sales price.
Does every room need to be staged?
Every space in an occupied home should be staged for a consistent look-and-feel throughout. For vacant homes, it is critical to stage the main rooms, awkward spaces, and any areas that add value to the sales price such as a potential rental unit. When rooms are left empty, buyers may wonder if the seller has already moved out or is desperate to sell encouraging low offers.
As the Realtor, do I need to be at the consultation?
Some agents never attend, some always attend, and others attend occasionally or a few minutes only. The real key to success is the home owner’s willingness to go along with the staging recommendations, and not whether the agent attends the home staging consultation. For more detail, see a great article by Susan Atwell on this subject.
Does the stager coordinate all the contractors such as painters, maintenance people, flooring specialists, etc.?
Stagers can recommend trusted, professional contractors. For owner occupied homes, the home owner will find it faster and more convenient to coordinate these contractors themselves. For home sellers living away from the property, the stager can easily coordinate all.
VALUE
Can home staging help me sell my listing faster and for more money?
What should I tell a client that wants to list first and stage later if their home does not sell?
The same thing you tell a client who wants to “test” the market with an unrealistic listing price, just to inevitably reduce the price later. The longer a home is on the market, the less desirable it is. Just like food, a listing becomes stale in a very short time. You can also add that the Real Estate Staging Association Home Staging National Statistics Report found that homes that were staged first before listing, rather than after listing, spent 90% less time on the market. See the article, the “Big Bang Theory of Home Staging”.
Why should I invest in home staging in a seller’s market?
Home staging works in every type of market. Even in a seller’s market, there will always be listings that do not sell quickly. Staged homes generate more interest on the web and in person, by creating move-in ready homes that feel fresh, spacious, and up-to-date. All these conditions lead to higher offers, potential bidding wars, and greater profits for you and your clients.
Can home staging get me more listings?
YES! Would you like to tip the scales in your favor when competing for a listing? Want to know what top producing real estate agents do? Offer your sellers an affordable home staging consultation. Position yourself as a forward thinking agent that:
Gives extra value.
Goes the extra mile.
Is a savvy marketer.
Is known for having the best listings.
What should I look for when selecting a home stager?
Even though there is no legal licensing or training requirement to become a home stager, do your homework and look for a professional with training, experience, and good reviews.
An accomplished stager will have both training and proven natural talent to get you great results. See the article on tips to hiring a great stager.
Now that you know everything you need to about home staging, you know it is a no -brainer if you want to sell fast and for more. All staging starts with a consultation which can be in person or online. Feel free to call if you have questions and would like to discuss what would be best for you.
Interested in becoming a home stager? I recommend the Staging Diva Home Staging Training program!
FAQs for Home Sellers on Home Staging
What you need to know about cost, time, value, and how home staging leads to a faster sale.
What is Home Staging?
What is home staging?
Home Staging is a marketing tool that uses decorating to show off a home’s best features while downplaying its flaws. Done right, staging creates an emotional connection between home and buyer, leading to a faster sale at maximum value.
Is staging just for vacant homes?
Home staging is for all homes, occupied or vacant. Staging a home with what a home seller already has is always the preferred choice, as it leads to greater savings on labor and furniture rental fees.
How much does home staging cost? Photo by 金 运 on Unsplash
Usually the first question I get! A better question might be can home staging help me sell faster and for more! Think of home staging as an investment, rather than a cost.
That investment will depend on the size of your home, if it is vacant or occupied, if the stager will do everything or just a consultation, followed by you, the seller, doing the bulk of the work. It also depends on whether suitable furniture and accessories are present in the home or if items need to be rented.
Stagers charge a fee for a consultation and give an estimate (based on an hourly fee, or a flat fee) if additional time is needed. A monthly rental fee may apply for furniture and/or accessories.
On average, stagers charge $500-$600 for that initial “working” consultation and about $125/hour for their time after that. Furniture and accessory rental costs vary based on what is needed to properly showcase your home.
Just like a home seller shouldn’t pick a real estate agent based on the highest quoted sale price for your home, a stager should not be picked based on the lowest bid. In both cases, the agent and the stager may be quoting that price just to get the job. You get what you pay for. Quality counts.
Staging will always cost less than your first price reduction. An increased sales price of your home, faster closing, and reduced holding costs, will more than cover the staging investment and all with a whole lot less stress!
Who pays for home staging?
Some popular options include:
the home seller pays all
the real estate agent pays for a consultation
the real estate agent reimburses the home seller at closing for an agreed amount (i.e.: for the initial “working” consultation).
the real estate agent pays all or part of the staging
More and more Realtors are covering the cost of a consultation as part of their marketing plan, leaving any further investment up to the home seller. If you like to DIY, a home staging consultation may be all you need to properly prepare your home for sale. See the article, “Who Pays for Home Staging” for more detail.
Why should I pay for home staging or a consultation?
Home staging is a worthwhile investment. You are, after all, the one who will gain the most financially from a higher sales price. In addition, selling faster will be great for you because you get paid faster. It also reduces your holding costs (mortgage, utilities. taxes etc.) while your home is on the market.
Your Realtor may include paying for the initial consultation as part of their marketing plan.
I am on a very limited budget. How can I afford the services of a professional home stager?
Think you can’t afford to hire a professional home stager? In today’s market, you can’t afford not to. For the most budget friendly option, invest in a home staging consultation. Home sellers can do the work themselves based on the advice of a professional home stager. For the best results, have the stager return for a final checkup prior to photos.
How much does it cost to do “Lite Staging”?
Putting a few decorative items or sparse furniture in an otherwise vacant house is often more distracting for buyers than not adding anything at all. “Lite” staging or “vignette” staging of small areas is generally not a good investment as it does not help make that emotional connection which sells the home. It also does not highlight the home’s best features, give buyers a sense of how big the space is, or how their furniture might fit in the space.
What is the process to stage a vacant or occupied home? Photo by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
What is the Process and How Long Does it Take?
How long will it take to stage my home?
This varies based on the size of your home, what is needed to best market the property, and the experience of the stager.
Overall, I find that an average occupied home can be staged in 8 hours or less, and a vacant home in 2 days or about 16-18 hours. If your home is vacant, it is best to call the stager at least 2-3 weeks prior to listing. An occupied home may require less lead time, based on the staging needs. For best results, call the stager as soon as possible.
What is the home staging process for a vacant home?
Generally, staging can be completed within 7-14 days after the initial consultation and all needed repairs and updates are complete.
Consultation– Up to 2 hours
Pre-staging- (usually 1-2 weeks). Home seller works on the consultation task list to get the home cleaned, de-cluttered, maintained, and completes updates such as painting, replacing flooring or lighting etc. The stager prepares the staging plan, coordinates with furniture rental companies, and prepares art, accessories, and furniture for transport.
Staging- 1 to 2 days on site.
De-staging- 2-3 hours. Prior to closing and after inspection is complete and/or contract is signed.
What is the home staging process for an occupied home?
Consultation– Up to 2 hours.
Pre-staging- (usually 1-2 weeks). Home seller works on the consultation task list to get the home cleaned, de-cluttered, maintained, and completes updates such as painting, replacing flooring or lighting etc. The stager prepares the staging plan, coordinates with furniture rental companies, and prepares art, accessories, and furniture, if applicable, for transport.
Staging- As little as a few hours or up to a full day. Sometimes it can be done directly after the consultation.
De-staging- (usually 2-3 hours, if the seller has rented furniture or accessories). After inspection is complete and/or contracts are signed
Please visit my Services page and call to discuss details.
What does a consultation include?
A consultation gives you a complete list of everything you can do to prepare your home, both inside and out – whether it is vacant or occupied. With this information, a home owner can then decide how much work they will do themselves and how much they would like the stager to do. Recommendations include:
cleaning
decluttering
maintenance
paint colors
flooring
lighting
furniture and accessory placement to highlight each space or focal point
purchases, if needed, for bedding, towels, or other items
It is always faster and more effective to hire the right professional for the job. If your Realtor is not a professional stager, it is better for your bottom line to hire a professional. Wouldn’t you rather have your Realtor spending his/her time finding the ideal buyer for your home than staging it?
Should every house be staged?
Every home can benefit from a 2-hour home staging consultation. There is always something that can be done to raise the perceived value of your home in the buyer’s eyes. A small investment in a home staging consultation can increase buyer appeal, reaping large rewards in the final sales price.
Do I need to stage every room?
Every space in an occupied home should be staged for a consistent look-and-feel throughout. For vacant homes, it is critical to stage the main rooms, awkward spaces, and any areas that add value to the sales price such as a potential rental unit. When rooms are left empty, buyers may wonder if you have already moved out or are desperate to sell, encouraging low offers.
Does my Realtor need to be at the consultation?
Some agents never attend, some always attend, and others attend occasionally or a few minutes only. Your agent is always welcome to attend any or all of the consultation but the real key to success is your willingness to go along with the staging recommendations.
Does the stager coordinate all the contractors such as painters, maintenance people, flooring specialists, etc.?
Stagers can recommend trusted, professional contractors. For owner occupied homes, you as the home owner will find it faster and more convenient to coordinate these contractors yourself. For home sellers living away from the property, the stager can easily coordinate all.
Do you rent furniture and accessories so I can stage it myself?
Most stagers are not rental companies and do not offer this service separately if they are not staging your home. When staging your property, your stager can coordinate furniture rentals and may have accessories for rent for your staging.
Is it important to find a stager that has their own inventory of furniture and accessories?
For vacant homes, the most important thing is the end product and that the furniture matches the style, size, and purpose of each room. Stagers may have or can rent up-to-date furniture and accessories that are perfect for your property.
What should I look for when selecting a home stager?
Even though there is no legal licensing or training requirement to become a home stager, do your homework.
An accomplished stager will have good reviews, training and proven natural talent to get you great results. See the article on tips to hiring a great stager.
What is the value of home staging? Photo by Morning Brew on Unsplash
What is the Value of Home Staging
Can home staging help me sell my home faster and for more money?
Should I list first and stage later if my home does not sell?
The RESA Home Staging National Statistics Report found that homes that were staged first before listing, rather than after listing, spent 90% less time on the market. The longer a home is on the market, the less desirable it becomes. Just like food, a home for sale becomes stale in a very short period of time. See the article, the “Big Bang Theory of Home Staging”.
Why should I invest in home staging in a seller’s market?
Home staging works in every type of market. Even in a seller’s market, there will always be homes that do not sell quickly. Staged homes generate more interest on the web and in person, by creating move-in ready homes that feel fresh, spacious, and up-to-date. All these conditions lead to higher offers, potential bidding wars, and greater profits for you.
What can you expect if you have your home staged? Photo by Jan Tinneberg from Unsplash.
What Should I Expect?
The truth is that nothing is more inconvenient and stressful than selling your home. A good home stager will be a great asset to your home selling team. They will make your house look great, help you make the most money by selling quickly, and be a great coach and supporter to you throughout the process. Their number one goal is to help you!
Professional photos will highlight your for-sale home making your listing outshine the competition. The combination of home staging and professional photos will capture a buyer’s interest online, compelling them to visit your property! See my article, “Preparing for your Photoshoot”to make sure your rooms and the photos look fabulous. Your Realtor may pay for professional photos.
Will I be able to live in my staged home?
Keeping your house “show ready” can be stressful. Your stager will give you helpful tips for staying organized and comfortable while living in your staged home. And, best of all, you’ll never have to turn down a showing because you’ll be able to show your property at a moment’s notice.
Now that you know everything you need to about home staging, you know it is a no -brainer if you want to sell fast and for more. All staging starts with a consultation which can be in person or online. Feel free to call if you have questions and would like to discuss what would be best for you.
Interested in becoming a home stager? I recommend the Staging Diva Home Staging Training program!
FAQ’s For Home Sellers- What is Home Staging?
What is Home Staging? Wondering if there is a magic wand that you could wave at your house to make it sell fast and for more? Well, there is! It is called home staging. Find out “What is home staging” in this video on FAQ’s for Home Sellers on Home Staging.
What is home staging?
Home Staging is a marketing tool that uses decorating to show off a home’s best features while downplaying its flaws. Done right, staging creates an emotional connection between home and buyer, leading to a faster sale at maximum value.
My report, FAQ’s for Home Sellers on Home Staging has tons of useful information on every question you may have had on home staging. Whether it is, what is home staging, how much does it cost, what is the process, who pays, why it works or for how much more your house may sell for if you try staging, it’s in here!
Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. Click on the pictures to learn more. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.
Interested in becoming a home stager? I recommend the Staging Diva Home Staging Training program!
How much does home staging cost and who pays for it?
How much does it cost is usually the first question I get from home sellers! A better question might be can home staging help me sell faster and for more! Think of home staging as an investment, rather than a cost.
Home Staging is an Investment. Which House Would You Rather Buy?
Before Home StagingAfter Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
That investment will depend on the size of your home, if it is vacant or occupied, if the stager will do everything or just a consultation, followed by you, the seller, doing the bulk of the work. It also depends on whether suitable furniture and accessories are present in the home or if items need to be rented.
Stagers charge a fee for a consultation and give an estimate (based on an hourly fee, or a flat fee) if additional time is needed. A monthly rental fee may apply for furniture and/or accessories.
On average, stagers charge $400-$600 for that initial “working” consultation and about $125/hour for their time after that. Furniture and accessory rental costs vary based on what is needed to properly showcase your home.
Just like a home seller shouldn’t pick a real estate agent based on the highest quoted sale price for your home, a stager should not be picked based on the lowest bid. In both cases, the agent and the stager may be quoting that price just to get the job. You get what you pay for. Quality counts.
Staging will always cost less than your first price reduction. An increased sales price of your home, faster closing, and reduced holding costs, will more than cover the staging investment and all with a whole lot less stress!
Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Who Pays for Home Staging?
Some popular options include:
the home seller pays all
the real estate agent pays for a consultation
the real estate agent reimburses the home seller at closing for an agreed amount (such as for the home staging consultation).
the real estate agent pays all or part of the staging
More and more Realtors are covering the cost of a consultation as part of their marketing plan, leaving any further investment up to the home seller. If you like to DIY, a home staging consultation may be all you need to properly prepare your home for sale. Learn more about the costs of home staging and how it works in my blog article, Home staging- How it Works and What it Costs.
Let’s get your home staged today. Start with a home staging consultation, either in person or online. From there, you can take the information and stage it yourself, or we can work together or I can do it all for you. Whether you will be living in the home while it is for sale or it will be a vacant property that needs everything, I can help.
Some other services you may find helpful are a color consultation if your staging consultation highlights the need for re-painting the interior or exterior. Virtual staging is an option if in person staging will not work for your vacant property. And vacation rental staging can help you increase your income, bookings and attract your ideal customer.
The right paint colors can help you sell for more. The wrong colors can decrease your sales price. Get this report, normally valued at $5 for free when you sign up to receive monthly color, design and staging tips.
