Should I have my vacant home staged?
Yes!
Vacant homes simply do not show as well as homes with 
furnishings. For the most part, consumers cannot visualize how best to utilize a space that is vacant. Sure, they know if it's a bedroom, how the furniture can go, but visualizing an empty room as a room they use and live in is tough. This is especially true in today's market, when there are so many homes available -- they're seeing so many, they need a way to differentiate. And a staged home helps them to remember how they felt in the home, and no matter what you've heard, buying is emotional. They need to feel a pull to a particular home, not be left feeling cold.
Now, that having been said, I do not think you HAVE to hire a Professional Stager. Many times you already have a few pieces of furniture that can be used. If you don't, then yes, you will need to hire someone with an inventory of furniture. I also do not always believe in staging the entire home. Staging a few rooms can be all that's needed. Just enough to create that feeling of "home".
From my personal experience, Professional Stagers are terrific! And the really good ones aren't going to insist on doing more than you are comfortable with. They're going to listen to your needs and concerns and work with you, and your real estate agent, to stay in budget and accomplish your goals. In many cases it doesn't have to entail spending thousands of dollars.
Will your vacant home sell without staging? If it's priced right, in good condition
and in a location buyers are looking for -- most likely, yes. But it has been my experience that vacant homes take a little longer to sell than homes with at least a little staging. It's about creating that feeling of "AHHHH" when the buyer walks in. Can it happen without staging? Sure. Will staging make it happen? Not alone. You still need to be priced right, in good condition, and in a location buyers are looking for. But all things being equal, staging is a help, not a hinderance and should be seriously considered if your home is vacant.
If you've got a vacant home in Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach NC that you'd like to sell, check out my tips on Staging Your House and then, give me a call. We can go over all the options and make an informed, educated decision about what is best for YOU!
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