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Staging FAQ’s-What is the Difference Between a Designed Home and a Staged Home?

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Home Stager

 

Staging FAQ’s-What is the Difference Between a Designed Home and a Staged Home?

 

Many times I’ve been told that a client’s home didn’t need staging because the seller had employed a professional interior designer when they moved in.  In home staging don'tsfact, an agent once told me that the client had spent quite a bit of money on the furnishings and no staging was necessary.

 

This is sometimes the case, however from my experience...not always.

You see, there is a blurred difference between interior design and home staging. Both involve some design basics, paint, accessories, other furnishings but there is still a difference.

 

They serve different masters

 

Interior Design/Decorating- the master is the homeowner. The designer works with the owner’s living style and personal style preferences. This is where the owner can retreat from the rest of the world. It is where they can be as taste specific as they choose to be.

 

Home Staging-the stager must try to satisfy several masters, none of whom they know. Their task is to help the seller transform their home into a house that will appeal to the buying demographics of the area.

In this case, the stager is always working with the buyer in mind.

 

They have different goals in mind.

 

Interior Design/Decorating-The goal is to create an environment for the Homeowner that reflects their lifestyle and their interests.

It makes little difference that a leopard print wall in the entry would not be our style. If it makes the seller happy to walk in the door at night, then the goal has been met.

 

Home Staging-the goal is to prepare and style the home so that potential buyers will be able to see all of the possibilities of the property and the home’s value.

And by doing so, your home should have a shorter time on the market and the perceived value could mean a higher offering price!

 

staging vs designing

 

Don’t let your personal design choices get in the way of selling your home. You can always take them with you to your new home.  

 

Home Staging lets the buyer see the liveability of the space and the value in the property.

 

 

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments (46)

Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Great explanation of the difference between staging and interior design.  Personal preference of the home owner has no play in staging.  Appealing to the broadest range of buyers for a successful sale is what staging is all about.

Jun 16, 2017 08:55 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Kathy, 

Congrats on the well deserved feature. You identified the differences perfectly.  I honestly can't see how a homeowner or agent could argue with your solid logic on this topic!

Jun 16, 2017 03:24 PM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Kathy - That's a very clear explanation - looking at the purpose suggests that there should be significant differences.

Jun 16, 2017 03:53 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

That's an excellent point Sharon Tara 
Scott Godzyk Very kind words. Thank you.

Jeff Dowler When I work with redesign clients, I tell them to make it yours.  Unless you're planning on selling your home soon, make it fun and your own.

 

Jun 16, 2017 04:48 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

LOL Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents you and I speak the same words...especially the 4 letter ones!!!

Chris Ann Cleland I spoke to someone just last week who was reluctant to paint over a wall that her designer had faux painted to look like leopard skin.

Jun 16, 2017 04:54 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Sheri Sperry - MCNE® it's so hard for sellers to distance themselves from how much they like their "stuff."

Absolutely Dick Greenberg You staying in your home and want a purple wall...you got it!

Jun 16, 2017 04:55 PM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Kathy,

You are right. My "under the Tuscan sun" theme may not go with the next buyer's pink & crystal dream.

Jun 16, 2017 07:31 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Kathy

Right to the point and an information. Your post breaks down  the staging process to easy to understand.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jun 16, 2017 08:21 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Kathy

Congratulations on the feature on an outstanding  post.

Good  luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jun 16, 2017 08:22 PM
Melissa Spittel
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Westminster, MD
"Achieving Results Together "

Great post, you know your stuff. Big difference between home design and home staging. A well-designed home won't neccesarily apply to all buyers. However, a well-staged home can work wonders.

Jun 16, 2017 08:44 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I apologize because I did not know the difference until I read this featured post Kathy Streib (my bad)

Jun 16, 2017 10:49 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

I am so glad this post got Featured and indeed it is a huge difference. One of my clients wanted their home designed to a certain level:)) and needless to say when the home was staged it got them to buy it but after it they wanted it designed for their life style:)Endre

Jun 16, 2017 10:59 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

You did a great job describing the difference between a "designed" home, and a "staged" one, Kathy.

Jun 17, 2017 02:12 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

These really are two different things. One has to appeal to the buyer and one to the homeowner. 

Jun 17, 2017 03:54 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Kathy, thanks for the clear explanation of the difference between Design and Staging.

This would make a great information piece to provide to Sellers.

Thanks

Jun 17, 2017 04:35 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

They really need to grasp the concept of depersonalizing.

Jun 17, 2017 10:30 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Very good and simple explanation of the differences.  I honeslty hadn't really thought about this before. -Kasey

Jun 17, 2017 11:50 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Kathy

Your post is lighting up ActiveRain . . . . with comments.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jun 17, 2017 08:15 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Kathy, I'm going to share this with a favorite seller! You explain it well.

Jun 18, 2017 05:01 PM
Gordon Crawford
Gordon Crawford Home Selling Team - Morristown, NJ
Your Morris County Specialist!

Kathy,  I have had the same experience when I have suggested that a seller stage a house that has been decorated by an interior designer!  Making your home more mainstream to appeal to more buyers is really what staging is all about.  Once again, another great post!

Jun 19, 2017 05:38 AM