second one has my vote.  I think the "staged home" is a better way to sell.  I've only done one so far with a professional stager... It was an okay job.. alittle pricey but now I know for the next time around.   What did this one run you .. if I may ask?

Yep, I love the second one!  And would you like to be in the RES Blog for that???

Desiree, I ask them to do "light staging" This cost 350.00 to start and 50.00 per month to be paid at closing. Well worth every penny.

Sarah, of course no need to ask.

Missy - What scares me about staging is that I think that not enough furniture will make it the space look wimpy - but looking at your before and after, there is definitely a big difference, even with not enough furniture.  The second one is definitely better.

Missy - A definate difference! You have removed the sterility and added warmth. Great price for the stager, too!

Hi Missy, no doubt which version is going to sell.  Staging can mean the difference in a prospective buyer seeing features and seeing stuff!  Nice post.

Missy..hands down the second show Rocks! What a big difference!

MIssy,

Awesome videos, great staging work, nice to see you and I just came here to say helo and check just only this blog so fast :P , I will keep reading the others later on.

Ray Saenz

Missy - it was a rhetorical question - no contest - STAGE this HOUSE (to sell)!!! Thats for showing like Ines said that even without extra furniture it made a big difference.   

Missy - Number one, the home is absolutely beautiful.  I will opt for the second one, though this isn't my forte in the Real Estate Profession.  I think I'd buy it no matter which one you choose:-)

Of course it is the second.  I am a big fan of HGTV and love the show "staged to sell" (I think that is the name) but it is amazing what they do with homes and it is well worth the price when it improves that much.  I have a preconceived idea that sellers won't want to spend the money in the current market - not based in reality - just a concern but I have a lot of listings that are attracting first time buyers.

Missy,
Great post! Thanks for the comparrison. Staging sells!
-Susie (who misses Michigan very much- lived there for 5 years)

Missy, I encourage each and every one of my sellers to stage their home.  I started doing this last year and the results are amazing.  Good for you!!!

Missy - Your tours certainly drive home the point that staging does make a difference and it is good to see more and more sellers using this tool.

That is why new home builders furnish and stage a model...and why new often sells before resale...

Good job Missy!

Missy- I love RES! You did  a great job. Good staging too. Hope you sell them fast! Katerina

what a difference - this would help some sellers see the benefit

Missy, I remember viewing the first video about a week ago when you first put this home on the market.  I was struck by the view from the deck.  I didn't remember anything else about this home until I saw this.  Now because of the staging I'll remember the interior of the home.  The difference is remarkable!   If I were a buyer I would have passed over #1 (or perhaps not given it as much thought).  The staging is minimal but makes a huge impact!  The 2nd video showcases the home and should bring the buyers in.  Denise did a very nice job.

Ines, I think it makes a huge difference too, with so many vacant homes on our market.

Paula, I think the price is well worth it too, better than a gimmick to lure Realtors in. LOL

Gary,thanks does Grand Rapids Realtors do much staging ?

Monika, thanks !

Ray, hola, como estas ?

Cyndee, I love that show, when I have time to watch.

Jason, It might not be your forte but it sure it nice to have you comment on my post.

Cathy, I don't show houses very often but recently I have had to. What a difference my buyer  clients felt when they went in a home furnished, or staged vs. empty. The light bulb went off, plus the more I read from our Stager Experts on activerain the more I "got it".

Susie, where did you live ? Fall is here and the weather is fanatastic, my favorite time of the year, the trees are just starting to get red and yellow tips.

Irina, that's wonderful, I'm glad you chimmed in to say it works.

Jennifer, over the years occassionally I would have a home staged, but now it is something I am going over in my marketing plan.

Joanne, you know this could also be why in new homes, most of the people decide to build the model instead of another floor plan the builder has. Great point !!

Let's just say WOW!!  What a difference!!  It really does make a difference!!

Katerina, I made the changes you suggested. I need to play around with it more. Jeff mentioned it to me once too. Thanks for being the friend you are.

Thesa, I am working on 2 more sellers to have their home staged, I hope this helps too and they can see the benefit.

Kris, thanks I think she did too. I would definately go see it too now, it is hard with so many homes to look at online and know which ones to pick out.

Susie, thanks for stopping by.

Video number two is the winner in my book. Staging made a difference!

I live in update New York now but I am originally from Michigan -  in fact my mother and brother live in Ann Arbor so.....Go Blue!

Hi Missy,
A no brainer--#2.  I'm still looking a stager for my area.  I've thought about giving it a go myself but I wear just about as many hats as I can juggle.  Thanks for showing the difference staging makes.  I'm showing this to a builder I work with.  

Julie, Go Blue !! Call me when you come to visit your mom, I would love to meet you.

Cynthia, great idea to show a builder. I agree, you and I both wear TOO many hates, leave it to the professionals.

Missy, What a difference!! I have never had to use a stager, but now I know it is a must. Thank you for the shows.

Missy- Much better! Keep experimenting with it. And I am always willing to lend a suggestion or two to help you out. Katerina

Mana, good it looks so much.

Katerina, I appreciate it.

By far the second one is better.  It is so warm and actually came alive with the staging - what a great job.

Wow, Missy, you really showcase how important staging is!!!  Can you give us any idea how much this staging cost?

Missy,

I am seeing that you are learning very well, Espero que tengas un buen dia con tu familia y que sigas haciendo muy buenos blogs. Saludos !

Ray Saenz

Debbie, thanks I know it will help.

Chris, it was 350.00 plus 50.00 a month until sold or they don't want it sold anymore.

Ray, I'm trying to make you happy, Ray !!

Wow, Missy!  That doesn't seem like a bad price at all!  I assume that includes the furniture rental as well?

Missy,

The small details really added a lot to this home in Ann Arbor.  The front door looks so much more inviting now. 

Missy - Personally like the photos used in the 1st one but like the "look" of the home staged in the 2nd one. Just an FYI - your page takes a lot longer to download than most probably due to the program you have set up (not sure what it is called) that creates the box when you click over a key word. I am sure you already know this but figured I would mention it just in case.

Missy, I am a HUGE fan of professional staging.  I'm almost to the point of if is not staged, the agent is not doing their job.  Congratulations on your nomination.  I rooting for you!

HI Missy, I got here from the nomination page and I am glad I did. I would like to use your post for my clients whose homes are not selling and resist my marketing attempts. Very nice show and thanks for the pricing info!

Missy you said 350 paid at the closing by you or the seller?  In New York it costs 350 or more just for a consultation and several thousand for staging.  Not all stagers will wait until the closing.  Of course a staged house looks better and more inviting.  I recently had a listing where the seller would not hear of it nor could they afford it; what to do?

Missy - If anyone had a doubt about staging a home, these two videos prove that a staged home would be more appealing to a buyer. You'd have my vote with or without these two RES! ;-)

David, you are so funny of course you can use this post,  I do so they can visually see the difference.

Miriam, No my sellers contract with the stager for 350.00 up front,then it is 50.00 per month each month it is staged. The monthly is added to their settlement statement. This is light staging not heavy with every room furnished.

Linda, thanks !  

Missy - What a difference between the two!  I like the second one better, for sure.  She did a great job.

Candy, she does and thank you for commenting.