The Case For Home Staging

Because it's most likely been years since you've had to deal with buying or selling a house you need to know that the market is different today. Recently a Realtor friend and I were discussing the issues seller's face today and she mentioned with the current inventory (12 months) of homes for sale, it is absolutely necessary to invest and stage a home just to get the asking price. If the home doesn't present well it will sit on the market for a very long time, draining valuable time and money for both the homeowner and Realtor. The end result is typically a sale way below asking price.


Yet there are those who argue about how home staging is just a way to get home owners to spend more money that they can't recoup in a down market. How much would you spend to decrease your time on market by 78% (HomeGain)?

The mindset of letting the new home owner change it the way they want it won't fly if you're serious about selling sooner than later. Staging is NOT the complete gutting of your property nor an interior décor overhaul. It's more likely about a few upgrades, paint and depersonalizing. And if a property is move in ready a potential buyer will be more motivated into action knowing they can immediately settle in and make taste specific changes as they go. Staged properties are considered better maintained and move in ready (NAR) but if you are willing to reduce your price drastically, stay on the market a significantly longer time and increase your carrying costs then go with waiting it out for that homeowner with vision. Otherwise, hire a professional home stager to help you prepare and present your home with guidance in where to spend your dollars to receive the best ROI.