CHARLOTTE, NC - We have all heard that home staging works. And sure, for the starter home it makes sense to have the owner take care of the minor repairs they have been meaning to do, spruce up the entryway with a seasonal wreath and declutter…even consult with a Home Stager, so that they don’t have to take a price reduction. But what about for that million dollar home? Will Professional Home Staging work when a house is already beautiful and well cared for?
 
In today’s economy, things are slowly picking up—and Charlotte is seeing home sales increasing in all price ranges. The home sales for the under $200k price sells in 103 days compared to those in the higher brackets.  The average time a million dollar home sits on the market is roughly 6 months to 1 year!  
 
According to the national statistics by Stagedhomes.com, a non-staged home sits on average for 182 days vs. 37 days of an ASP® Staged home.  That is 80% less days on the market.  Recently, a lakefront home in Sherrils Ford, which was professionally staged by a Charlotte, NC company beat all the odds and statistics and sold in just 7 days after listing, BEFORE their first open house.  The open house was scheduled for August 13th, For Sale by Owner, and it sold a week before the event.  
 
“You could tell the custom home was beautifully built with extra detailing, but because of all their furnishings and belongings, you couldn’t really see the detailing,” said Marcyne Touchton, ASPM®, Charlotte Home Staging Expert™ and Principal of Domaine Staging™.  
 
There is a huge amount of inventory of homes for sale in the market and you need to stand apart from the competition.  An estimated, 90% of people look online to preview homes for sale and if it doesn’t look attractive, it is not going to make it on their “must see” list.  For homes in the higher price ranges, because you have a smaller pool of prospective buyers, it is harder to get an offer. The first impressions really count and must be powerful.  Even though the house may have more lavish amenities, and much to offer, buyers can be distracted by the owner’s decorating sense, collections or volume of furnishings.
 
A professional Home Stager will come into the house, and assist the owners in staging the home so that it appeals to a broad base of potential buyers. This could include storing some belongings, re-arranging furniture in a room to show the best traffic flow, or replacing some artwork and décor pieces. A Home Stager can find just that right balance to show style, but leave room for a buyer’s individual vision and imagination to take hold—and get the most from those offers!
 
Although the misconception is that Staging is expensive, it really is “less than your first price reduction.” according to Barb Schwarz, the Creator of Home Staging®.  For most homeowners, their home is their biggest investment.  For a million dollar price tag, when the near-inevitable price reduction occurs of 5% (today’s average), that is $50,000 off the price-tag!  Not to mention if the owners had to move out, the loss in having to pay the mortgage on the house PLUS the rent in their new home is costly.  If priced right, and Staged, that is a huge savings.  Cost varies by independent companies, but the ASP Staging national average for a 2,500 square ft home is anywhere from $2,400-$4,000.

Staging works, even in this economy, and even in the million dollar price range.