You've probably seen the television shows in which a homeowner--desperate to sell their home--enlists the services of a property enhancement or "staging" company. In recent years, the number of staging companies in Colorado has grown from fewer than a dozen to over a hundred. While embraced by some realtors, others are prone to see staging as just another trend. Just as virtual tours were once the exception and not the rule, staging a home is quickly becoming a popular marketing tool. Vacant homes especially benefit; instead of looking abandoned and forgotten--which certainly results in low-ball offers--they can look warm and welcoming. What is the bottom line on staging? A service that brings higher offers and fewer days on the market could be just the shot in the arm the local real estate market needs. Here are the answers to some common questions:
What exactly does a staging company do?
A staging company will analyze the home, determine what changes are needed to make it show the best it can, and implement the changes. The work can quite often be completed in one day. It is not always necessary to bring more items into the home. In most cases, the opposite is true and de-cluttering and editing is needed. The object is to highlight the best features of the home and detract from any negative ones.
Isn't hiring a stager the responsibility of the realtor?
There is no steadfast rule, but realtors and sellers have the same goal; sell the home quickly and for the highest price. There are circumstances when a call should be made to a staging company before that call to a realtor. If a homeowner is willing to do some fix-up or remodeling before putting the home on the market, a staging company is a good source of information. Recommending paint and carpet colors that will appeal to the most buyers is just one of the ways they can help. They can also provide statistics showing which remodel projects produce the best return. Moving out early? They can suggest what furnishings, if any, should be left behind, making the home simpler to stage.
I'm good at decorating! Why can't I stage my own home?
Decorating and staging are very different. Standard decorating takes into consideration the homeowner's lifestyle, tastes, and possessions. Most people have an emotional attachment to their homes and it is reflected in their decorating. Staging a home means removing the personality of the homeowner in a way that allows buyers to more easily imagine themselves living in the home.
We are willing to do the work ourselves, but where do we start?
Most staging companies offer a detailed staging consultation for sellers who have the time to do the work themselves. This usually includes a walk-through analysis with the homeowner, starting with the curb appearance and covering the entire interior and exterior of the home. This should be followed up by a report, and the staging company should be available to answer questions or provide assistance if the homeowner needs it. A consultation takes between one hour and two, depending on the size of the home.
What other services do staging companies offer?
Other services vary from company to company. Interior redesign is becoming very popular as an inexpensive way to get a fresh new look for the home. Often finished in a day or less, one or more rooms are transformed using the homeowner's own furnishings. Clients have described this process as "magic!" Other services include organization, move-in and down-sizing services, and color consultations.
What does it cost?
The cost depends on the amount of staging a seller wants done. Many only stage the rooms you see when you walk in the front door, making the most of the buyer's first impression. After determining which rooms are to be staged, there are differences in the level of staging, ranging from a "light" staging to completely furnished. Also, some staging companies charge an hourly rate, some a flat half or full day fee, and still others charge a percentage of the price of the home. Most offer free estimates, which allow homeowners to know what the costs will be up front. One thing to keep in mind: the cost of staging is usually less than half the cost of the first price reduction!
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