Market Shift: Are Home Stagers Still Needed?

A room squeezed in between a living room and bedroom became a catch all for the current homeowners, part home office, part master closet and all parts cluttered, the room was a problem area for buyers and a big turn off when trying to sell the 1-bedroom pre-war co-op. The home sat on the market nearly six months before the Realtor brought in a home stager to assess the property. Now the home with no love is faced with multiple offers however it has nothing to due with pricing or location the buyers instead see how to utilize the square footage of this space.

I’ve recently been asked by Realtors how’s business? Are you finding that there is no more need for the home staging industry? When I asked why’s that, the Realtor said, “because the home market is shifting towards a seller’s market and there is low inventory available for buyers.” At first I thought, is this true? The home staging industry that’s been preaching, we can help sell your home faster and for money, are we losing ground in the market? Then I realized there would always be homeowners in scenarios like the one above that will benefit from home staging.

A top-producing Realtor will continue to have a home stager on their team to deviate issues that may arise giving the Realtor the opportunity to have control over the situation, showcasing them as a problem-solving agent.

While there are several opinions on home staging from avid supporters to skeptics who feel they can sell listings regardless of how they show,” the statistics speak for themselves. In 2011, the Real Estate Staging Association studied 174 homes previously on the market on average 156 days unsold. Those homes were then staged and sold on average 42 days after staging. That’s 73-percent less time on the market. Home staging will remain a powerful marketing tool for homeowners here are a few reasons when they should consider hiring a home stager:

1. Dated and Worn Out Spaces – 63-percent of home buyers are looking for move-in ready spaces, according to a Maritz Research Poll. So, if your homeowner has dated or worn out spaces, your going to want to modernize the space. A home stager knows just the right improvements to make to get the best return on investment.

1. Minor Repairs – Despite the shift to a seller’s market, buyers will still try and negotiate the sales price when they see work needs to be done on the home.  Before going on the market use the time wisely to paint and make minor repairs. Home stagers can also provide a vendor’s list to complete the work.

1. Needs Accessories and Furniture – Only 10-percent of buyers can visualize the potential of a space, so if you have a vacant listing a home stager can bring in key pieces to direct the buyer’s eye in the space. Furniture also gives buyers a frame of reference when comparing their own furniture in the space.

1. Address Awkward Layouts – Buyers are turned off by awkward layouts, like the room above squeezed in between the living room and bedroom. A home stager will assess each space and create dual-purpose rooms with focal points taking the guesswork out of how to utilize a space.

1. Create a Cozy Feel – People buy based on emotion, so we want to make sure when a buyer walks into your listing, they feel cozy and comfortable, by using the right lighting, accessories and playing with the five human senses.

When the homeowner needs to address these five major design dilemmas, a home stager can be key to a successful sale. If you are thinking of selling a home, now is a GREAT time to list. Despite the shift to a seller’s market though, homeowners can’t expect to get what they paid for it in 2007, and this is another reason to use a home stager so we can help them get top dollar for their home.

A home stager starts with target marketing to develop a buyer profile. Then use the home seller’s existing belongings, often times just re-arranging furniture and accessories and pre-packing items to be stored while the home is on the market. By merchandising and marketing the home properly the first time we can prevent price reductions and stay in front of nearly 90-percent of home buyers who start their searches online by looking at amazing photographs.

Staged properties photograph beautifully and practically market themselves online. By ensuring each listing shines online; potential clients will surely notice the Realtor's listings are pristine and sell quickly, which will automatically prompt them to call you when it’s time to sell. Just think, as a Realtor you’ll get more listings and money in your pocket by using a home stager, now do you see the need for the home staging industry?