Staging Your Home to Sell for the Most Money in the Shortest Time
in For Home Sellers, Real EstateVicki Moore Pacifica Realtor
Homebuyers expect homes to be staged so it's become the norm, a standard, for sellers to - sometimes reluctantly - agree. If you saw the difference in a consumer's face when they walk into a house that is a perfect 10 and one that isn't, it would be an easy decision for you. You would know that staging is the only way to sell a house.Think about it from a buyer's perspective
Homebuyers have been saving for years for a downpayment; maybe working extra jobs along the way, sacrificing vacations, and lowering their wedding day expenses. They've been dreaming about it for just as long. Talking to each other about what owning a house will mean, the plans they have for the house itself, sharing the excitement with friends and family.
HGTV hasn't helped the argument that staging is too much trouble or too costly. They've added to the expectation of what the perfect house means. Pinterest is the online manifestation of their design ideas, paint colors, and garden plans. Homebuyers have spent hours looking at images and virtual tours online, learning the market in their neighborhoods of choice. And now they're actually out looking at homes in person. Can you feel the anticipation?
Staging is a continuation of what they've seen online. It keeps their imagination and dreams alive. It's the investor or contractor who will walk into a dingy, smelly house and say, "I'll take it." But you aren't going to get that response from most buyers. And the response of more buyers is the goal when you're selling your house. You want as many people as possible to swoon over it.
Buyers will overlook some repairs and upgrades if the house looks like Joanna Gaines decorated it. And it allows the focus to be moved from defects to the bigger picture. They're very visual.
Think about it this way: When you go on a date, especially a first date, you're going to do your make-up and hair, get dressed up, making an effort to look and smell your best. You're doing all this to make a memorable first impression with the thought that you'd like to have a second date. In the case of staging your house, you want to get the buyer to make an offer - an over-the-asking-price offer!
Other personal effects to take down are taxidermy, religious art; even sports memorabilia can cause a kerfuffle. Setting the stage is specifically to enable the buyer to visualize themselves in the home. Anything that detracts from that diverts attention away from all the effort done to get them there.
Degrees of staging
Home staging can be limited or unlimited in scope depending on how much time and money you have and whether or not you'll be occupying the home during the marketing.A full staging effort is made when the house will be unoccupied. When staged, the home is not set up for the way that we normally live so it could be uncomfortable existing, especially for an extended time period, in a staged home on a day-to-day basis. In fact, most stagers won't bring in their best furniture if someone is actually going to be using it. One spill and a nice couch is done. But full staging does make the most impact and the biggest impression on home buyers.
Partial or limited staging, smaller-scale staging can be effective if you're planning to be living in the house or will be away for some period of time during the marketing. Some of your furniture or display items can be exchanged for the stager's pieces. Your items may be rearranged or a desk and accompanying items could be brought in to stage a single room in order to highlight it as an office instead of a bedroom, as an example.
Virtual staging
We used virtual staging during the shelter in place as an alternative to physically bringing in a truck full of furniture and decor. There are some companies that do an amazing job. I'd take a bet with you to tell me which pictures were staged virtually. That's how good they can turn out. It's a whole lot less expensive and less of an effort but you do have to consider the downside of virtual staging.
You can take this on by decluttering, packing, and minimizing what you have in the house. The key to this and all staging is to deep clean every corner of the house, top to bottom, including windows.
The house really has to be spotlessly clean. Hiring a professional cleaning service is a great way to get this accomplished. Having cleaners come in weekly during the showing and marketing period is also something to consider to take some of the burdens off of your daily life. It's that important.
Because the smell of the house is so important, I'm going to share some details. Do not use candles or artificial or plug-in sprays to mask any odors. I've been in plenty of houses that smell like wet dog and cinnamon spice. Keep the house smelling fresh by opening the windows daily, especially the day of a showing.
Do staged homes sell faster?
According to the Real Estate Staging Association's 2020 survey, 85% of the staged homes surveyed sold for 5-23% over list price. Staged homes sell faster, averaging just 23 days on the market. Their survey doesn't indicate the average days without staging.The pros of staging
Modern look
Professional stagers are always on top of the current design trends and bring that knowledge to your house, giving it a modern, clean and updated feel. Using antiques or furniture from decades past will make your house appear older and will be less appealing to buyers.
Depersonalization
Staging allows home buyers to look at your house and not the things in it. They're not going to get distracted to stop and look at family history in pictures on the wall. I have to admit, even I do that. I love pictures and will take the time to pause and look. You don't want buyers focused on the wrong things.
Neutral decor
Very personal, specific colors and design taste could be a turn off to buyers. A stager knows what pieces will suit the home and will choose furniture and decor that will attract the most buyers.
Perfect floor plan
Very few houses have a perfect floor plan, especially if the house was built in decades past; however, a stager will use their magic to showcase the layout that works best for today's buyers.
Spacious feel
Home stagers know how to edit and will limit what they use for a particular project. Closets, cabinets and pantries seem a lot larger when staged with a few items rather than stuffed with a collection of things accumulated over many years.
Professional photos
In the market today, professional photos are a must. An expert photographer and a well-skilled stager make an excellent team encouraging buyers to come out from behind their computers and into your house.
Get The Ginormous List of Staging Tips for Selling Your Home Quickly and for More Money
Cons of home staging
Staged homes can be undistinguishable and start to look the same as the next one. It's important to have bold pops of color on pillows and decor to separate your house from the others on the market.Slows the process
Getting on the stager's calendar and getting a truckload of furniture moved in can delay the initial marketing. That will have to be considered in your sale timeline.
Cost
Staging can be expensive and payment is required upfront. If the funds aren't available, you'll have to look at a DIY, limited or a virtual staging option.
Additional Resources
You're going to need Bill Gassett of Metrowest Massachusetts' 33 Tips for a Less Stressful and Easier Move
Staging is one part of selling your home the way buyers want to be sold, but read Kevin Vitali's in-depth take on what buyers expect in his article Understanding Today's Home Buyers. Kevin sells real estate in Essex and Northern Middlesex Counties, Massachusetts.
If you're selling your house now, you'll need to take social distancing into consideration. Lynn Pineda, a Southeast Florida Realtor, has shared what you need to know in What Can You Do To Sell Your Home Safely?
Vicki Moore Pacifica Realtor
I've specialized in residential real estate in Pacifica and throughout San Mateo County since 1998.
If you’re ready to put my knowledge and expertise to work for you, call or e-mail me today. 🐳
Areas of service include Pacifica, Montara, Moss Beach, Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, Burlingame, San Carlos, Redwood City, and throughout San Mateo County.
PS You can also find us on Facebook at Pacifica Locals
Vicki Moore
650-888-9268
[email protected]
CA DRE 01234539
Eccleston Incorporated
205 Rockaway Beach Ave
Pacifica, CA 94044
DRE 01973493