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21 Comments on Yes...."Staged" Is A Dirty Word To Some Buyers
Karen, there are a few times things can look "too staged" which isn't always the best. However you are so correct that staging can help so many sellers. It is usually attention to the little things that get overlooked and mean so much. I had a friend that didn't understand staging until she started looking for a home herself, then she saw the difference and was amazed! She said she started walking out of homes that weren't staged as it was obvious they hadn't had a professional stager tell them important cleaning tips, etc.
Karen, the area I primarily trade in is probably what most people would class as working place neighbourhoods. The type of staging you see on TV shows and in urban or "upper" class neighbourhoods don't seem to work here, but like your post says, that doesn't mean that splashes of colour or items to create a mood don't improve the saleability of a home.
This is the first that I've heard negative response about staging by "so-called" buyers. Where have I been?
In every instance, there's always a positive and negative if you look at it. But those people who chooses to see things negatively - (the suggested buyer responses) are very positive people. I'm also wondering are these people who would be the one that will put in low offers?
I'm just trying to figure out the personalities of these buyers and in no way am I attacking this post, or the people who think along this line. You know me, Karen. But I just want to clarify and make it clear.
Karen - I have to admit sometimes the staging in a house is cheap and cheesy. I've had a few good laughs with my buyers when I see this. Other times, however, the staging makes you want to move right in.
I have sellers who, upon consultation with a stager, made a comment that sums it up for me. He said of the staging consultant, "She gave us some great direction, and she didn't try to make our whole house look like Grandma's bathroom." In my opinion, great staging is subtle and effective.
Buyers do wonder about homes that are staged. I've had buyers ask walk into some of my open houses and ask if the home is staged. I tell them this is the way the sellers live. Because you know what? It is. They live there. Then buyers relax and feel OK about it.
Loreena....these are real buyers who have bought. I'm not disparaging stagers...just found it interesting that many of them are so negative about the staged homes.
Karen, I think it has to do with buyers thinking that every 'unoccupied' house means a BARGAIN can be had! Hah. Staging is a great thing and I'm all for it!
Karen - I agree with you. I have offered my clients names of stagers so we can enhance the peaceful ambiance and flow of a home. When you see a folded towel, a bottle of wine, no family photos just things that compliment the home it is much eaiser to see yourself living there. Clean feel.
I have a listing next week that a son is selling Mom's home. It had green carpet, formica, popcorn ceilings etc..Now has wood flooring, new carpeting, new paint, no popcorn, new appliances etc... B U T, the furniture, shall I say from an older generation, is still there.
If it were staged it would make a more acceptable living feel. It will be in my suggestion if not sold in the first 30 days.
Karen, as slow as we are out here to catch on to trends I've yet to hear the negitives so I appreciate the heads-up as to what is coming down the pike.
Staging has not caught on in my market so of course I have not heard this. I am not opposed to staging either but i guess I can see where a buyer may think of it negatively.
Karen, I find that when I get comments like that from buyers they are just ultra picky and it goes deeper than just being paranoid by the staging... A Staged home is to just better allow the buyer to picture of how they would arrange their things in the home, like ohh my sofa would look very nice there and my dining room set would just be lovely there. Staging is not meant to bamboozle buyers but allow them to see the potiential in the home.
I haven't run into the negative comments about staged homes yet, but I'm sure it will come. Of course, in our market dominated by Short Sales and Foreclosures, it's not often we see a staged home.
I've never had anyone say something negative about staging. They notice it but they don't use it against the owner or agent. Perhaps it's a price range problem? I've noticed that on homes at or near the median of an area, those buyers tend to be value conscious and don't like anything that looks like the seller is demanding too much or wasting money they think the buyer should cover.
Are these the same people who complain if the home they are viewing does not need work and is not perfectly clean? It is pretty bad when people are looking so hard for reasons not to buy a home, that they say the owners have it looking too good?!?!?!
I have not really run into that myself. I have seen plenty where my buyers wonder if the Seller even really wants to sell because they have left it a mess. I guess if there was a choice between the two, I would say stage it! The ones that seem to look the best though are the ones that are staged with the Seller's own belongings and the Seller actually lives there - as opposed to a vacant listing, which can have the "fake"feeling. I have had clients also tell me that they prefer to see a vacant house, as opposed to one that is furnished - and that goes against what we normally assume.
It is amazing how often I walk into a place with my buyers and here them say, "this is staged" or "is this staged". There is always some discussion about it. Happened today. But it wasn't a negative today. They appreciated the good taste of the seller. It can go either way.
Yes, I have had clients say things like -- "what is this home staged?" and mean it in a derogatory way. But I still think the staging is effective even if they don't like it. LOL.
It's simply a different economy and I think people want to make sure THEY aren't paying for the "extras."
Karen - very interesting post. Thanks to you and to all who support staging, after all we're here to help you and the seller get their home sold. I think Staging has taken on many looks since its inception. I do a lot of consultations of occupied homes. Is it perfect? No way but as I tell the seller, it doesn't have to be because real people live here. But if they follow my suggestions, it will allow their house to show at its best and to appeal to as many buyers as possible.
Hi Kathy.....I love my stager, she's a genius, but it's interesting the comments from my buyers. I'm wondering if it's a West Coast thing, Jane and Tni seem to be finding it too.
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