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10 REASONS NOT TO STAGE YOUR HOME

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Results MN#20344949 WI#93113-94

These 10 reasons not to stage your home are clearly a bit of sarcasm.  In today's market a stage home looks nicer and does sell faster for more money. Always something to consider as a seller.

 

 

Original content by Janet Jones

Home Staging1.  We want to test the market for 90 days.  And on the 91st day?  Price reduction--and 90 days worth of potential buyers who have already eliminated your property. 

2.  It costs too much money.  I have never seen a home where the staging costs would have exceeded the first price reduction.  And that doesn't even factor in the monthly carrying cost of the home. 

3.  We can't stage the house, we're living in it.  One common misconception is that staging is only for vacant homes.  Every home/condo can be staged, and you can actually live in it after staging.   

4.  We didn't have to stage any of the other properties we sold over the years.  Yes, once upon a time you could generate three offers by 5 p.m. on the same day your Realtor put the For Sale sign in your yard.  Not now.  Buyers are picky and they have a lot of homes to choose from. 

5.  Everyone loves our house so buyers will love it, too.   What you, your friends and relatives love about your house may not be what today's buyer wants.  Sellers are often baffled by the feedback they get after showings--amazed that buyers have found things they don't like about the property. 

6. We can clean the carpets and declutter without someone telling us how.  Yes, you can (and should) do this, but it is a tiny piece of staging.  Do you know what separates  "clutter" from "asset"?  And what about all the other things that staging encompasses, like traffic flows, highlighting architectural features, updating, and appealing to your target market?

7.  We have no desire to remove/change our _______________ (wallpaper/mirrored tile/gold faucets/paneling/dated light fixtures . . .).  And neither do buyers.  Better to keep your home or be ready to sell at a deep discount. 

8.  The view alone will sell this place.  Then why many months later are these great view homes/condos still on the market?  Could it be that buyers want something to go with the view--like a comfortable, move-in ready home?

9.  We would rather let the buyers makes their own paint/flooring choices.  And that equals a price reduction.  If buyers do make an offer on your home they will double or triple the cost of these items and reflect that in their discounted offer price--which includes a deduction for the inconvenience. 

10. Our home is professionally decorated.  A professionally decorated home is tailored to the owner's particular needs.  Does it work for the new buyer's needs?  You could see #1 above . . . .

These are all great reasons--

  • for price reductions
  • for extended time on the market
  • for buyers not coming to look at your home
  • for buyers not coming back for a second look

There are dozens of reasons not to stage, but only one good reason to stage--getting your home sold faster for the highest possible price.  Staging is preparing your home for sale and creating a home that buyers want to buy.  If you want to be in the best competitive position in this market today, consult with a professional home stager before listing your property for sale. 





 



 

 

 

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Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with RE/MAX Results in Elk River and Cambridge, MN.  Helping buyers, sellers and investors in great Minnesota counties like Sherburne, Isanti, Wright, Anoka, Chisago, Hennipen and Mille Lacs. He is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE).

Contact Chuck by emailing him at chuck.carstensen@results.net or by phone at 612-290-3809. 

 

Comments (6)

Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

Staging a home makes sense since most home owners are not up on what buyers are looking for in a home or what sorts of things detract from the appeal of a home. If that same person wants to sell their care they often times get it detailed and they remove anything hanging from the rear view mirror.

Oct 21, 2012 09:48 PM
Doris Freeman
Zach Taylor Real Estate - Gallatin, TN
Broker/Agent, 615-961-7799

Great points, I may have to borrow some of them.

Thanks and Have A Great Day

Oct 21, 2012 10:06 PM
Jay Jones
Keller Williams Tri-Lakes - Branson, MO
In some cases where the Seller has agreed to price their home correctly I've either helped or even paid for staging. Yes, it's that important! Nice post.
Oct 21, 2012 10:22 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

This post is great.  People don't see the house in the buyers eyes only in their own eyes.

Oct 21, 2012 10:35 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

We spend about $1,000 for staging every home that we flip and we give the items purchased as a gift to them. It always brings positive comments.

Oct 22, 2012 09:31 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

On all my personal resales I will hire a stager (although that is not what she calls herself) I learned that from the new home market

Oct 23, 2012 11:13 PM