Back in January 2010, at the 2010 Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) Conference, Showhomes.com released the following statistics based on a survey of almost 500 Realtors from all over the country. I wanted to share this information with you.
96% of Realtors say buyers react better to fully staged homes that to vacant homes
94% of Realtors say fully staged homes sell much faster than vacant homes
68% of Realtors say vacant homes take twice as long to sell as fully staged homes
94% of Realtors say vacant homes sell for less money than fully staged homes
-15% -- 63% of Realtors say a vacant home will sell 15% less than a fully staged home
We've begun using these stats in our pitches to homeowners and Realtors and they are really getting people to slow down. Everyone knows that a fully staged home is more attractive, sells much faster and sells faster but when this many professional give their industry input, it presents the need for staging in a whole new way.
It also raises some good questions that those who represent sellers should think about:
If 96% of Realtors say buyers react better to staged homes and 94% of them say staged homes sell faster and 94% say vacant homes sell for far less money than staged homes, is it really professional not to educate your owner about all staging options available to them and do a good job of illustrating the implications of not staging the home?
I believe the real estate market will take a long time to get to 'normal' and that staging is going to play an increasingly important role in how quickly a home sells and how high it sells for in the decade ahead.
What do you think?
Randy L Larson
Certified Professional Home Stager
East Coast Staging & Re-design
910-619-1746
www.ecstaging.com
Coldwell Banker - Fort Mitchell, KY
Your Neighborhood Experts
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR
I would say those are some pretty convincing statistics in my book. Thanks
Feb 04, 2010 11:30 PM
Streamwood, Elgin IL Real Estate - RE/MAX Suburban - Bartlett, IL
I'm in your camp 100%. A vacant home is the kiss of death for the last few years. People just cannot get a good feel for the home any more. I don't know why they just can't picture their furniture & belongings but it's become a lost art.
Feb 05, 2010 03:32 AM
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
Awe shucks.
Why even list. Just have it staged and put it on Craig's list.
Feb 05, 2010 03:43 AM
East Coast Staging & Re-design - Leland, NC
Thomas and Karen - Let me see what I can do to get that to you.
Harry - Thanks for your comments
Lyn - Your right, things have changed a great deal
Lenn - Not sure what your trying to say
Feb 05, 2010 03:59 AM
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
Randy. Since you asked.
I have seen so many staging companies claim this and that, but haven't seen the evidence to support their claims in my market place. Staged homes that are over priced still don't sell.
The message borders on the claim that it isn't even necessary to price right, present the home at it's best, have interesting and accurate MLS listings, etc., etc.
The staging promotion rarely gives the listing agent and selling agent any notice. So, I'm just saying, why not take the advertisement to the logical end, don't list, just stage and advertise. If the Realtor isn't important why pay them???
Feb 05, 2010 04:31 AM
East Coast Staging & Re-design - Leland, NC
Your right! Any home that is over priced will not sell quickly regardless if they are staged or not and for any professional stager that claims this is incorrect. However homes that are properly priced, in a good location and shows well, have a better chance of selling faster. I'm not sure where you received the information that a Realtor is not important, if it was not for the Realtor and their hard work these homes would not be sold. A true stager works with the Realtor, helping them to make sure that the home is emotionally ready for the market. By doing this the Realtor is able to concentrate on marketing the property and obtaining new listings. You have to admit that there are some pictures on the Internet showing homes that are for sale that are not the best, would you honestly go to a home (if you were looking to buy) that looks cluttered, dirty etc.?
Maybe that is what sets me apart from other stagers out there. I'm in this business to assist the Realtor, take some of the work off of them by putting the right emotion in the property to be sold. To assist the Realtor and homeowner to earn as much as possible in the sale of the property. I would never claim that the main reason that a property sold was because of my company, I just prepare the property, it's up to the Realtor to sell it, point blank.
As far as the promotions, again there are some that take all the glory and credit, no doubt about that, and yet again, that is what sets me apart from the other stagers. I would never take the credit away from a Realtor, I always promote the Agent and the listing and the only way that anyone knows that I staged the home is by my signature.
I really wish that I lived closer, I would love to work with you... we do share similar opinions on this subject and I feel that we would make a great team. But since that is not the case, I would only ask that you keep an open mind on staging and remember, that all stagers are not alike. We are different and unique.
Thanks
Randy
Feb 05, 2010 05:04 AM
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
Randy. Thanks. I appreciate the latest comment.
So often I read posts by stagers that claim that staging is the reason the home sold. They further claim that staged homes sell faster and for more money. I dispute that until a controlled test is made and it's not going to happen. Most stagers fail to even mention that the home that sold was priced right and was accessible.
My point has always been that homes priced right and accessible will sell whether or not staged.
BTW, I'm a buyer's agent. Showing staged homes is often an adventure. Where does the staging end and the home begin. I have to focus my buyer's attention on the property, not the staging.
Feb 05, 2010 06:55 AM
East Coast Staging & Re-design - Leland, NC
Thanks Lenn; to me it's all about the emotion that really sells the home. I really appreciate your feedback on this and hope you have a great evening!
Feb 05, 2010 07:10 AM
J29 Project - Rochester, NY
I don't stage many vacant homes. Most people in my area do not see the value once you add in furniture rental fees, etc. It is too bad because I think it does make a real difference.
Most of my business comes from consultations and I haven't really figured out if I want to include those in my stats. There are a lot of variables that I don't control and owning the success is hard when I only spent two or three hours with a client. There is no doubt that having a staging consultation and making many of the suggested improvements helps with condition. I have had great houses sit, that were staged very well, but were priced very wrong.
I am with Lenn a bit on this topic, because there is not a universal control for the stats we create. I love the stats that RESA published though - it makes a definite case for Staging!
Feb 05, 2010 09:05 AM
Calgary, AB
Are you aware of what the stats are for just Canada??or can anyone help me with this?
Mar 03, 2010 12:54 PM
Comments (11)Subscribe to CommentsComment