I was browsing the questions in linkedin and I came across one about upgrades but it was the answer that caught me off guard.
We've all heard the value of staging and some of us have seen it first hand. However, I think there is still a mistique about it all and consumers certainly are taking longer to see the "light."
Here's the answer from linkedin:
As a Realtor in suburban Boston, I have found over and over again that staged homes burn buyers. So, when I am representing a buyer I try to impress upon them that alot of what they are seeing is fluff. The staging is geared to make a buyer overlook a homes problems. I believe it is a much better investment to buy a house that has been well maintained but not necessarily updated. Removing carpeting, wallpaper and painting does not cost $150,000.00, but sometimes that is just what a house needs to feel fresh. Spend the 150K renovating the kitchen and baths to your liking and build some equity.
The great news is that staging a vacant home will cost around 2-3% of the value with most stagers. While that's a difficult number to swallow for some sellers it should always be looked at in comparison to market data in addition to days on market. Homes that are occupied are often much less to stage by the way.
In any case, staging works, so much so that one Realtor thinks of staged homes as dangerous! That's an awesome thought on the power of staging.
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