I just sold a house! You say, "You are a real estate professional, I would expect you to sell a house!" Let me explain.
Back in May, I received a call from a party that owned a home in Anchorage. They had moved from the home 18 months prior. They had tried to sell the home two years ago, with another real estate agent, and the house didn't sell, so it was rented for a year.
I listed the home, completely vacant, for what seemed to be a fair price. We had showings every week or so. We open housed it. We were several buyers second choice (the bridesmaid, not the bride). We reduced 
the price. We advertised....still no sale.
A month ago, when I called an agent who showed the home they commented "We just didn't feel the love". It dawned on me, the house was JUST TOO PLAIN!
After a visit with the seller, they agreed to have the home professionally staged. This is where they come in the house and put plants, furniture, pictures and other appropriate "homey" things in each room.
The showings improved right away. Within a week, we had an offer which the seller accepted! The seller said "this is awesome news!"
The cost of staging was $1,200. That includes installation, and keeping the furnishing in the home through until closing.
Of course, no one wants to spend more money than they have to, but in this case it made all the differance between selling and not-selling!
In retrospect, I suppose we should have staged right away and we might have been closed by now! The moral of the story is a vacant home doesn't always show it's best foot forward! Spending a modest amount for staging can make all the difference!
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