You know it when you see it.

Whether it is the right person or the right house for you, your gut instinct will tell you it is right. Then your logical brain will come up with all the reasons to support the decision you already made.

The person or the home has made an emotional connection with you and that is all she wrote.

If you are the one selling, how do you make the emotional connection with buyers?

Home Staging.

Home staging is the art of decorating a home to sell fast and for top dollar. It works by highlighting the home’s best features and creating an atmosphere that buyers make an emotional connection with, so they can visualize themselves living there. Each year statistics come out that talk about things like staged homes sell 78% faster and for up to 20% more. Of course, this all depends on how well you or the realtor markets the home and if it is priced competitively to start with.

Wondering about the cost? A better question is how much will it cost you not to do it. This video gives a general idea.

What are my Home Staging Options?

Every house is different and there are options for every situation. When searching for a home stager, remember that low cost is not always better. Quality and the end result is what matters. Remember, staging always costs less than your first price reduction if it does not sell, and great staging will often bring in a lot more than your asking price. 

 Professional staging can help sell faster and for a higher price. See my article, “My Top Ten Home Staging Tips” for the most important things to consider. It’s also good to know things you should not do! See my article “How NOT to Sell Your House in Seven Easy Steps” and “Why Your House Won’t Sell” to learn more.

Check out the following options to see what best fits your situation. The prices listed are general estimates for planning. Every house is different and the investment in staging may vary.

Home Staging Consultation

The most cost effective way to stage if you are living in the home while on the market,  is to get a home staging consultation with a pro and then stage it yourself.  They will give you their expert opinion on everything you can do both inside and outside to get top dollar and only recommend things that will give you a good return on your investment of time or money. This is great for folks with small budgets, but who know the value of home staging and are handy. The end result may not be as good as if a pro does it, but it will definitely help!  Your stager may be able to offer a final review after you do the staging to refine the end result.

Every home, no matter how nice can benefit from a consultation. The value comes from the pro’s knowledge of the market, how to stage for the buyer and their un-biased view of your home. When you live there every day, it is impossible for you to have that perspective. Don’t be worried about what they will recommend…. their goal is to get you the most money possible and reduce stress by selling fast. When preparing your house for sale, it is all about the buyer.

The longer the home is on the market, the more showings you have to deal with at a moment’s notice while still paying your monthly home expenses. The longer it is on the market, the more likely your realtor is to recommend a price reduction, which is typically $10,000 each time. The longer it is on the market, buyers wonder what is wrong with the house and are less likely to offer top dollar. Once you set the initial price, it is only downhill from there. It is extremely unlikely you can list it un-staged for one price, then stage it later and raise your price. So do the staging before listing.

Investment.-$400-$850. A 2-hour consultation is about $600. Based on your location, size of your house and if you need a color consultation before painting, it may take more time and run up to $850 or more.

Occupied Home Staging

This is really the way to go if you will be living in the house while on the market. You start with the consultation to come up with a plan for staging. Then working mainly with what you already have, you work together and stage it that same day. Your stager may recommend purchasing a few items such as a new bedding set for the master bedroom, new shower curtains or towels for the bathrooms. Those things make a huge difference in helping the home look fresh, clean, modern and move-in ready to buyers.

Most people have everything we need to stage it beautifully. Often it is just a matter of re-arranging the pieces to make sure buyers know what the room function is,  it looks spacious and modern, the best features of the home are highlighted and it appeals to your target market. Because we work with what you already have, you generally don’t have to rent anything, saving you money.

Investment– $800-$2200. Based on the size and condition of the house, it could take 4-10 hours or more to do the staging and you may have to purchase new bedding, towels etc. It depends on the time needed for your particular house. You should be done in a day though!

Hybrid Home Staging

The same as Occupied Home Staging except you may need a few things, like some furniture pieces if yours is in poor shape. Rental fees are by the month, and my estimate assumes you are paying some rental fees for 2 months.

Investment- $1000-$3500.  Based on the size and condition of the house, it will likely take 6-13 hours to do the staging/de-staging and you may have some costs to purchase new bedding, towels etc. and rental furniture. Anything you will be “using” such as bedding, towels etc. (besides furniture) you need to buy, as they are not available for lease. Your stager needs extra time for sourcing the rentals, potentially packing and delivering some items, being there for delivery and then for de-staging to make sure no damage is done to your house. The staging should be done in a day.

Vacant Home Staging

 Vacant homes don’t sell quickly. They look sad and lonely, don’t make an emotional connection with buyers, there is no sense of scale so no one can tell how big a room is or if their stuff will fit, how the furniture can be arranged, or the purpose of the room. There is nothing to look at but the flaws. As the house sits on the market for months, the utility and mortgage bills add up, plus all those price reductions! Just stage it!  See the article in Alaska Home Magazine, “Staging a Vacant Home- Why It’s Worth the Money”.

Yes, it is expensive. Imagine if you had to completely deliver a house worth of stuff, unpack it and make the place look gorgeous in a day. Plus, your stager needs time to plan what can fit in the home, what looks good together and where to get the items, and may have to pack some  and deliver some of it themselves. They also need to be there to de-stage the house when it sells.

Investment– $3000-$4500. It depends on how much furniture needs to be rented and how long the house is on the market. This estimate is for up to 2-3 months.

Virtual Staging

Virtual home staging is a computer rendering of what a vacant space might look like if it was staged with furniture and accessories. Virtual is better than not staging and can show the buyers the possibilities. It can be helpful for out of state buyers that may not be able to visit in person, real estate investors or for rental properties. It might be great for properties that need a lot of remodeling and the seller chooses to leave that to the buyer. It is also more affordable than renting furniture and accessories for actual staging.

Remember though, as soon as they arrive in person, they are seeing a “vacant” house with all the issues that I mentioned previously. See my article “Virtual Staging and Remodeling, the Pros and Cons” to learn more.

Investment– $125 per room, 2 room minimum for virtual staging.   Varies if you are hiring people from other countries that are getting paid close to nothing to do the renderings. You will get a low quality job that will look just like all the rest on the market. Have a professional do it for you will give more of the look that works in person to make the emotional connection.

How Long Do I Need to Keep it Staged?

Keep it staged until after the inspection is complete and the sale is pretty much a done deal. You don’t want the buyer to come to the house and think, wow, this looks nothing like what I bought, or to have to start over if the deal falls through.  Many staged homes sell within the first month and rentals go into the second month while waiting for the inspection to be complete. I have had some homes sell the first day on the market, but it still takes time for the inspection, etc. My cost estimates were based on two months. There are no guarantees though. No one can predict how long it will take.

Why Do It?

You know staging will help you sell faster and for more. Even if you spend $5000, that is likely half the cost of your first price reduction. You should be able to make the investment back easily at a higher selling price and reduced time (and expenses) on the market. See my article, “Spend a Little- Make a Lot with Home Staging” to learn more.

Don’t be Cheap

I understand you probably don’t want to spend one more cent on the house you are trying to sell.  You may be tempted to go with the lowest cost stager or try partial staging or vignette staging or some other half measure. Your realtor may offer to do it for you. Are they a professional stager? Wouldn’t you rather have them spending their time using their expertise to “market” your house instead?  Halfway measures are a waste of your money, don’t work, and are distracting to buyers.  When I get calls asking me to do those things I always say no. See my article, “Bad Home Staging is like going on a first date to the drive-in for dinner” to learn more. 

I hope you found this helpful! For more info, check out my guides, FAQs for Home Sellers, or FAQs for Realtors, and best of luck on your home sale!! If you need help, I offer home staging consultations as well as virtual staging and remodeling services nationwide and in-person staging in my service area.

You Know What You Need to Do

Give me a call. I am here to help and we can do a consultation online, wherever you live.

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

 

 

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Home staging is the art of decorating a home to sell fast and for top dollar. It works by highlighting the home’s best features and creating an atmosphere that buyers make an emotional connection with, so they can visualize themselves living there. Each year statistics come out that talk about things like staged homes sell 78% faster and for up to 20% more. Of course, this all depends on how well you or the realtor markets the home and if it is priced competitively to start with.

Just about every call I get starts with how much  does it cost, and how does it work? This video is for you!

Note: Prices have increased since the time this video was created. See more current costs below and note things are always changing.

What are my options and how much does it cost?

Every house is different and there are options for every budget and situation. Most folks are looking for the most affordable way to stage. Low cost is not always better though. Remember, staging always costs less than your first price reduction if it does not sell. 

 Professional staging can help sell faster and for a higher price. See my article, “My Top Ten Home Staging Tips” for the most important things to consider. It’s also good to know things you should not do! See my article “How NOT to Sell Your House in Seven Easy Steps” and “Why Your House Won’t Sell” to learn more.

Check out the following options to see what best fits your situation. The prices listed are just general estimates for planning. Every house is different and the investment in staging may vary.

Home Staging Consultation- Most Affordable

The smartest way to stage your home while still living in it is to start with a professional staging consultation and then do the work yourself. A stager will give you expert, unbiased advice on everything — inside and out — that will help you get top dollar, focusing only on changes that deliver a real return on your investment of time and money. This approach works especially well for sellers with limited budgets who understand the value of staging and are comfortable being hands-on. While the result may not be quite the same as having a pro do everything, it will absolutely make a difference. Many stagers will also offer a follow-up walk-through after you’ve completed the work to fine-tune the final result.

Every home — no matter how well-maintained — benefits from a consultation. The real value lies in the stager’s knowledge of your local market, their ability to present your home through a buyer’s eyes, and their objective perspective. When you live somewhere every day, that kind of distance is nearly impossible to achieve on your own. Don’t be nervous about what they’ll suggest — their entire goal is to help you sell quickly and for the most money possible.

The longer your home sits on the market, the more disruptive last-minute showings become, all while you continue paying monthly carrying costs. Extended time on market also typically leads your agent to recommend a price reduction — often $10,000–$15,000 at a time in Alaska’s market. Buyers also grow suspicious of homes that linger, making them less likely to offer full price. Stage before you list — you rarely get a second chance to make a strong first impression at your original asking price.

Investment: In Alaska, expect to pay $500–$800 for a 2-hour consultation, with larger homes or those needing a color consultation running $800–$1,200 or more. Full-service staging (where the stager does the work) typically runs $1,500–$4,000+ depending on home size and scope. Given Alaska’s higher cost of living and limited pool of staging professionals, budgeting on the higher end is wise.

Occupied Home Staging- The Best Option

If you’ll be living in the house while it’s on the market, this is the approach I recommend most. We start with a consultation to assess your space and build a clear plan, then get to work staging it that same day — working mainly with what you already own.

In some cases, I may suggest picking up a few inexpensive items like fresh bedding for the master bedroom, new shower curtains, or updated towels for the bathrooms. Small touches like these go a long way in making a home feel clean, modern, and truly move-in ready to buyers.

The good news? Most people already have everything needed to create a beautiful result. Often it’s simply about rearranging what you have so that each room has a clear purpose, feels open and inviting, highlights the home’s best features, and connects with your target buyer. Because I work with your existing furnishings, you typically won’t need to rent a thing — saving you real money.

Investment: $650–$2200. Depending on the size and condition of your home, staging can take anywhere from 4 to 10 hours, and you may want to budget a little extra for items like new bedding or towels. Every home is different, but the great news is — you’ll be done in a day!

Hybrid Home Staging- A Great Option

This service is similar to standard Occupied Home Staging, but is the right choice when some of your existing furniture has seen better days. In those cases, I’ll recommend bringing in a few rental pieces to elevate the overall look and ensure your home shows its best.

Furniture rental fees are billed by the month, and my pricing assumes approximately two months of rental costs. For soft goods like bedding, towels, and accessories — anything that will actually be used in the home — those will need to be purchased rather than rented, as they simply aren’t available for lease.

Because rentals add a few extra steps to the process, I’ll spend additional time sourcing the right pieces, coordinating delivery, and being on-site when items arrive. At the end of your listing period, I’ll also handle the de-staging carefully to make sure your home comes through without any damage.

The staging itself is still completed in a single day.

Investment: $2,500–$5,000. Depending on the size and condition of your home, the process typically takes 6 to 13 hours and may include costs for new soft goods as well as rental furniture. Every home is different, and I’ll give you a clear, honest estimate before we begin.

Vacant Home Staging- Largest Investment- Just Do it.

Vacant homes don’t sell quickly. They look sad and lonely, fail to make an emotional connection with buyers, and offer no sense of scale — making it impossible to know how big a room really is, whether your furniture will fit, or even what the room is meant to be used for. With nothing to draw the eye, buyers focus on every flaw instead. Meanwhile, the house sits on the market for months while utility bills, mortgage payments, and price reductions pile up. Just stage it!

(See my feature in Alaska Home Magazine: “Staging a Vacant Home — Why It’s Worth the Money”)

Yes, it’s an investment. But consider what’s involved — sourcing and planning an entire home’s worth of furniture and décor, making sure everything fits the space and works beautifully together, then delivering, unpacking, and styling the whole home to look gorgeous in a single day. And when the home sells, I’m back to de-stage everything carefully and ensure your property is left in perfect condition.

Investment: $3500–$6,000. The final cost depends on how much furniture needs to be rented and how long the home is on the market. This estimate covers up to 2–3 months.

How Long Does It Need to Be Staged?

Keep it staged until after the inspection is complete and the sale is pretty much a done deal. You don’t want the buyer to come to the house and think, wow, this looks nothing like what I bought, or to have to start over if the deal falls through.  Many staged homes sell within the first month and rentals go into the second month while waiting for the inspection to be complete. I have had some homes sell the first day on the market, but it still takes time for the inspection, etc. My cost estimates were based on two months. There are no guarantees though. No one can predict how long it will take

The Bottom Line

OK, so you know staging will help you sell faster and for more. Even if you spend $5000, that is half the cost of your first price reduction most likely and you should be able to make the investment back easily in a higher selling price and reduced time (and expenses) on the market. See my article, “Spend a Little- Make a Lot with Home Staging” to learn more.

Food for Thought

I know, you are thinking YIKES! I want to sell and not spend one more cent on this house. You may be tempted to go with the lowest cost stager or try partial staging or vignette staging or some other half measure. Your realtor may offer to do it for you. Are they a professional stager? Wouldn’t you rather have them spending their time using their expertise to “market” your house instead?  Halfway measures are a waste of your money, don’t work and are distracting to buyers.  When I get calls asking me to do those things I always say no. See my article, “Bad Home Staging is like going on a first date to the drive-in for dinner” to learn more. 

I hope you found this helpful! For more info, check out my guides, FAQ’s for Home Sellers or FAQs for Realtors and best of luck on your home sale!! If you need help, I offer staging consultations as well as virtual staging and remodeling services nationwide and in person staging in my service area.

Online or In Person?

Online Consultation $600.00 USD In Person Consultation $700.00 USD

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One of my favorite home staging jobs was when I staged another home stagers house. What???  Yes, even home stagers can benefit from home staging when selling their house! Why? Two reasons:

1. One of the most valuable aspects of home staging is getting that objective view of your for-sale home that a home stager can give you. When you live in a house every day, it is easy to no longer see that pile of stuff in the corner, notice the smell of cat litter or notice that squeaky door. Even home stagers become blind to these things in our own homes.

A home stager can see your house for the first time as the buyer will see it. They will notice all those things you no longer see and can give you great advice on changing those things, not just to look nicer, but to also appeal to your target market.

Target market? Whether you realize it or not, your house, based on its location, price, neighborhood, local schools, and other data will appeal to some buyers more than others.

A lower priced home near good schools may appeal more to first time home buyers with children. A professional home stager will know your market conditions, who your target market is, and will stage the house to appeal to those buyers.

2. A home stager is also a member of your home selling team, along with your Realtor and photographer. As part of your team, your home stager is there to support you, offer you advice, serve as a coach and provide support. Selling your home can be very stressful and having a good support team can make all the difference in making the process as smooth and stress free as possible.

In this home staging project, I helped another home stager by providing that objective view, by staging her home and serving as part of her support team. I also developed the social media advertising for her home sale, and provided support when times were stressful! Check out the before and afters in this video.

 

So how did it go? Here is what the seller had to say about the process.

Mary Ann deserves a “stellar” rating for her home staging services, talent, experience and knowledge as a Professional Home Stager. A home stager myself, my husband & I enlisted Mary Ann to take on the oversight of staging our home when a new job and relocation required us to sell our $575,000+ home in a lagging real estate market, & a very busy time in our lives!

Her perspective helped us make decisions that were hard to make but that were in the best interest of our home sale. When the home staging was competed and a professional real estate photographer captured the essence of our property for an excellent Internet presence, Mary Ann also created a fantastic Face Book Page & a video to help boost our online marketing and show the property in a way that real estate listings could not. We had immediate requests for home showings, and fantastic feedback from home buyers and real estate folks during the entire listing period.

In addition to Mary Ann’s staging talent & knowledge, she provided us with constant professionalism and personal service by staying in regular communication with us during our home listing; by being on time and meeting deadlines; by reducing our stress because of ongoing support and her experience; by completing all work, then following up with our additional requests; by reducing our staging costs by using furniture & decor we already had; by updating, & increasing our Face Book Page presence & audience; by ensuring that we were satisfied with her staging, costs & marketing services; and by being part of the team that successfully got our home sold in a bleak real estate slump .

Because our home was staged to show all of it’s features and to attract home buyers, our home sale was solid, and profitable. Had we not staged, or had we poorly staged our property that was in competition with other homes, it is safe to say we would have been forced to drop our sales price, significantly, and received less profit for a future home purchase.

Mary Ann was not only a home staging contractor, she was, for us, a coach, a mentor and a great support in a very stressful and high anxiety time in life! Home staging is worth every dollar, but hiring Mary Ann Benoit, of Northern Light Home Staging & Design, was more than worth every dollar and lead us to success, and a new future. Stacy Goade- President of Alaska Premier Home Staging

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Getting ready to sell your home? 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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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?

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!

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.

https://northernlightsstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Home_Staging_How_it_Works.mp4

Let’s Get Your Home Staged Today

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.

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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.

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FAQs for Realtors on Home Staging

You are interested in selling your listing fast and getting the most money for your client, aren’t you? I’de like to show you how with the following 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.

 

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.

COST

How much does home staging cost?

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?

Most Realtors believe that staging increases the dollar amount that buyers are willing to pay for a home by between 1 and 10%.  Also, homes that are staged first before listing spend 90% less time on the market.

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.

Can the home seller do the staging themselves?

The most budget-friendly and effective thing a home seller can do is invest in a consultation with a professional stager. Have them follow the stager’s advice and do the work themselves. For the best results, have the stager come back for a final checkup prior to photos. See my article, What is the Cheapest Way to Successfully Stage Your House? Get a Home Staging Consultation.

Can I, the Realtor, do the staging myself?

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?

Various reports (see Resources) publish statistics on the benefits of home staging. A 2017 report by the National Association of Realtors states that at least 50% of Realtors think staging increases the dollar amount buyers will offer to pay by between 1 and 10%. Also, homes that are staged first before listing spend 90% less time on the market. See the summary of some of the 2017 findings from the National Association of Realtors.

 

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.

Get your copy of this  information on the value, time, cost  and process of home staging now.

  Download now. Price $4.99.

Resources

An Inconvenient Truth about Selling your Home.

Answers to questions commonly asked by real estate agents considering
Home Staging for their clients

Helpful Tips on Finding a Great Home Stager

Home Staging Consultation: Should Realtors Attend?

Home Staging Proof: Solid Science Proves Staged Homes Sell Faster.

National Association of Realtors 2015 Profile of Home Staging

National Association of Realtors 2017 Profile of Home Staging

Consumers Guide to Real Estate Staging

Six Tips to Maximize Your Home Staging Consultation Dollar

Summary of 2017 Home Staging Statistics

What is the Cheapest Way to Successfully Stage Your House? Get a Home Staging Consultation.

Who Pays for Home Staging

Why Hire a Professional Home Stager?

By Now You are Probably Ready to Sell Fast and For More

Try one of my online home staging services. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote. Click on the pictures to learn more.

 

 Get your Free Report

 

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