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Staging vs Home Warranties

By
Home Inspector with Pillar To Post

This blog is my opinion as a consumer.

 As staging becomes more popular, I am hearing more and more about it and it makes sense.

I enter a lot of different houses, see many different kinds of houses, and notice many real estate signs, listings and advertisements.

Many Realtors will encourage a home seller to purchase a home warranty, or even purchase one themselves, to make a listing more attractive.  Some will encourage staging or even stage a home themselves.

When pitting one against the other.

To me the staging just seems so much more of an effective approach.  I really don't know what makes a house sell.  I am not an expert at that nor do I believe my opinion matters, but I know what works for me and the people I know.  When you consider that the cheif decision maker, when deciding on which house to purchase is the woman, than staging makes much more sense.  If the house is attractive, the emotional connection a woman has with a house is so much more meaningful to her than a warranty.

If the man is making the decision on the purchase than the warranty will be more attractive to him, but in todays U.S.A. that will be less usual, than before.

I vote home staging..................Your thoughts.

Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating
Wesley ~ Well, as a woman and someone who offers home staging . . . . I agree!  To me the warranty means nothing if I don't like the way the house is presented.
Mar 24, 2008 01:57 PM
Kristyn Grewell
CENTURY 21 Goodyear Green Edmond, OK - Edmond, OK
Edmond, OK Homes, Oklahoma Relocation Services
I also provide home staging in Edmond, Oklahoma.  I think the comment you made about the emotional connection is key.  A buyer man or woman can find it difficult to develop an emotional connection to a home if it exudes the personality of the seller.  They just can't see themselves there.  That's where staging comes in.
Mar 24, 2008 02:06 PM
Wesley Goble
Pillar To Post - Barnegat, NJ
Home Inspector - Jersey Shore

Kathy~Thanks for stopping by.  Even as a guy, the warranty means nothing in most cases, because I feel like I can fix most things that could go wrong in my house.

 

Kristyn~ Thanks for stopping by.  Thats one thing I neer thought about, but I think you are right.  If a house exudes the personality of the seller, it may make it hard for someone to see past that.

Mar 26, 2008 10:14 AM
Sharon Price
Best Price Stagers - Denver, CO
BestPriceStagers.com

Wesley,

It was interesting to get your perspective as your expertise typically follows all of our endeavors in the process of a purchase.  As a stager myself I will certainly swing in that direction.  As a consumer who may be putting some emotions aside and considering an investment, warranties are alluring.  In a perfect world both would be utilized when making these transactions.  Thanks for your observations.

Mar 29, 2008 05:38 PM
Linda Sticklin
Home Staging & Organizing - Berwyn, PA
Of course I agree with you! I don't think a home warranty will do anything to help sell a house quicker and/or for a greater profit. If a potential buyer does not like the appearance of a house, they will not buy even with a warranty.  
Mar 30, 2008 10:28 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY
I think the staging also drives a lot more traffic to the home because of the photos online.  Warranties don't really do that.  
Mar 30, 2008 10:35 AM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Your opinion DOES matter Wesley and I'm happy to hear it. I look at myself as an "aesthetic inspector" granted not the same as your job but we can get a home looking and "feeling" great which in turns leads to offers and then eventually a home inspection (your job!).

In fact, I've started even recommending to my clients to get a home inspection prior to listing, that way there are no surprises in the end. The small investment they make initially will save many potential headaches in the future and it give them some insurance that the sale will go through.

My vote is hands down - staging!

Mar 30, 2008 03:21 PM
Wesley Goble
Pillar To Post - Barnegat, NJ
Home Inspector - Jersey Shore

Sharon,  Great point.  Both would probably work as well.

Linda,  I agree.  Besides..isn't it true that a good first impression is one of the most improtant things in selling anyhting.

Maureen,  If someone wants a warranty, they can just buy one after they take posession.  Or it can be done at any time during the process.  You can't stage a house any other time than before people are looking.

Karen,  "Aesthetic Inspector"  good descriptive title.  For HI's I like "Defect Recognition Specialist."

Mar 31, 2008 03:34 AM