Top 10 Reasons for Hiring a Professional Home Stager
More and more real estate agents are encouraging their homeowners to stage—and for good reason. When it comes to selling your home, there’s really no better investment. A professional staging company helps put the finishing touches on your home so your listing can stand out in the crowd and bring in the big buyers.
1. Staged Homes Sell Faster
A recent study from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) reported that homes that were staged before going on the market sold about 90 percent faster than un-staged listings. On average, the staged homes sold in 23 days, but the un-staged homes sat on the market for an average of 184 days (over 6 months) before the sellers decided to stage. Even then, it took another 41 days to seal the deal. Selling in just 3-4 weeks with professional staging sure sounds a lot sweeter!
2. You Can Get a Higher Selling Price
When your home makes a great first impression, you’re likely to have some good leverage during the negotiations. In fact, about a third of realtors polled believe that staged homes can increase the amount a buyer is willing to spend by up to 5 percent. (And another 16 percent of buyers’ agents believe that staging can bump the dollar offer up to 6 or 10 percent!) The RESA staging savings calculator can help you figure out how much money you can pocket by staging early.
3. Less Stress with Professional Staging
Don’t underestimate the value of true peace of mind. Calling in the professionals means you’re getting the best quality and service possible. Staging is an art as much as a science. Hiring a pro lets you breathe easy and take another step back from your current space. When you leave the style tricks to your stager, it’s easier to keep your eyes forward and focused on finding your new dream home.
4. It Highlights Your Home’s Best Features
Today’s homebuyers have unlimited access to design ideas and they’re usually pretty informed about what they want. Now
more than ever, your home needs to look polished and move-in ready. Professional stagers work to maximize the flow and feel of every room by placing the right-sized furniture in just the right spot. They know how to arrange rooms so your eye is drawn to its best attributes—like the gorgeous fireplace, or the room’s amazing view of the backyard.
5. Staging Helps Online Photos Pop
Believe it or not, when properly staged, a room is always going to look and feel larger than an empty space. It all goes back to that professional know-how. Selecting the appropriate furniture and décor can make any room feel inviting, and that carries over into your home’s pictures. Fill your online listing with professional pictures to attract the more serious buyers. They’ll fall in love with it online and then want to check it out in person.
6. Professional Stagers Can Work Objectively
Even homes that are decorated or styled can benefit from professional staging. That’s because staging shifts your attention to the actual home and layout, rather than the personal choice in décor. A professional stager knows how to make your home resonate with a variety of design types. They work objectively based on your home’s location and price range, so it doesn’t matter whether your buyer prefers a modern style or a country French feel—they’ll still love the vibe of your home.
7. Good Companies Have Massive Inventory
When you opt for professional staging you’re not just getting their expertise, you’re tapping in to their inventory. Your stager has access to tons of missing puzzle pieces for your home—in the shape of loveseats, mirrors, rugs, and other items that will make your space shine. Plus, an experienced company won’t have to spend precious time tracking down any pieces of furniture. They’ll already have a solid dining room table waiting for you in their storage.
8. It Creates an Emotional Appeal
According to a National Association of Realtors survey from 2015, a whopping 81 percent of buyers agreed that it was easier to visualize a staged property as their next home. No surprise there! People are driven by emotion. Seeing a perfectly balanced master bedroom or a great setup for a home theatre will get them itching to move in. When you let a professional stager work their magic in your space, you’re essentially letting potential buyers know that it’s okay to lust after your home and put in their offer ASAP.
9. Staging Sets Your Listing Apart
If you’re still unsure, think about your competition. Other houses in your area are also vying for your buyer’s attention. You can help you home stand out a whole lot more with good staging. Property listings that photograph well, are fun to walk through, and have a clean style almost always leave un-staged homes in the dust. When you’re looking to buy, which homes would you rather visit?
10. You Get an Incredible ROI
Studies have shown that sellers who stage get, on average, a 1000 percent return on investment. They just put 1 percent of their home’s value into staging and let the professionals take care of the rest. The services are specifically designed to increase your home’s functionality and appeal to your ideal buyer. When you’ve got a professional stager you can really amp up your selling power and get more cash to play with in your next space. At the end of the day, staging really doesn’t cost a dime!
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