Home Staging A Seller' Secret Weapon - CBS Sunday Morning

Michelle, they just replayed the segment this morning, I googled "mona chicago home staging" and found your blog and her website - couldn't open her website (didn't have the right plugin)...  They were including all the upgrades and repairs in the 3% - and while it isn't part of what the stager charges, it is part of what we recommend - the paint, carpet, etc.  So, from the homeowners point of view it is their "cost of staging".  What we actually get paid is naturally a fraction of that 3% - and even that 3% often is 1% or less depending on how much deferred maintenance is needed. thanks for satisfying my need to get more out of watching TV by googling everything I am interested in... :-)

Hi Michelle, based on a recent formula and the past statistics, I started trying to break down the actual percentage and came no where close to 3% unless that involved all the home repairs, rental furniture and so on.

Hi Michelle we agree, except that just because it is on ABC it must be true. lol

I agree with your perspective about staging, however, your comment about hiring the right real estate agent and not including hiring the right stagger is a bit condescending, perhaps, don't you think? It takes a team to sell a property, so having the right players with tremendous skills usually assures a winning outcome, doesn't it? 

HI Michelle, thank you for posting this video. The comparison between the two homes was graphic in terms in what a staged, ready for the market home should look like to appeal to the widest audience of buyers.

Staging in our area is usually .5% of the list price. The results we achieve are always remarkable. The agents are  pleased with the results and of course their sellers are happy that they selected an agent that brought in their "marketing team"  (our staging company) to market their homes for sale.

Michelle, thanks for clarifying the cost of staging.  There is a wide range of pricing in the Dallas area.  Your post was educational.  Congrats on the feature!

Most people would see this and the costs discussed and assume staging is only for the high end homes, I'm not sure it conveyed it's message to the "average" seller.

Michelle, this is a spot on blog.  I enjoyed the CBS video.  I believe in staging.  That is why I became an ASP (Accredited Staging Professional).

Dear Michelle,

The comment about the 3% was a little far-fetched in my mind as well. Most stagers can do a lot more with a lot less. If someone does not want to use a stager, that is not a problem, because they can always use price to get offers. Some people want the perfect home and do not mind paying for it, while others prefer to use their own creativity on a bargain.

Good article. I can see trying to get local owners to put up to 1% into Staging, but the clip said 3%, which may be a bit much outside of a major make-over!

Michelle:

I can't say I won't take a listing if the seller does not agree to stage their home, but I do tell them that they may not get as much as they want from the sale.

Michelle - I think home staging is very important, but trying to get a seller to actually do it is tough, especially in these economic times.  I keep trying to convince them...