Home Staging now for sale in the future - a new trend

As home staging becomes more mainstream I believe we will see much more of this.  I've had some calls like you describe.  I enjoy working with these clients!  As you said, there is less pressure and no time restraint.

Sveta, I too have clients like this. They are wise to start their 'staging' early so that they can budget the changes and accomplish them at a reasonable pace.

When I'm helping a client with a color or redesign consult or doing a redesign project we always discuss how changes now will affect resale in the future.  It just makes sense to increase awareness, even to those that have "no intentions" of selling any time soon. 

Yes, we are working with clients with similar stories.  Some are a year out and some are as many as 3 years out till retirement and are starting the updating process now so they may complete projects as their budget allows.  Great approach when you know you will be selling in the next couple years. 

Think of the fun those poor people are missing!  I mean, who starts downsizing before the moving van pulls up?!?!  What can beat the sheer thrill of realizing you really need to install granite counter tops and repaint five days before the open house? 

Why, I bet some of them are even getting home inspections!  And making repairs before they list!  And completely missing out on the excitment of discovering they have an unexpected but major code violation that causes their first contract to fall through! 

Really, who wants to live in an attractive and organized house for a year or two before selling?  Tradition dictates all improvements and comforts should be added at the last minute.  We all know people are supposed to live with the wallpaper borders that came with the house, that they hate, until their buyer makes the sale contingent on removal.

Almost everyone who lives in their staged home finds the simplified layout both makes it easy to keep clean and reduces stress.  In fact, many of them enjoy living with staging so much they hire a stager to help them set up after they move.  Surely no one wants to go through that!?!?!

I bet they have even started tracking comparable sales to monitor their probable value.  Doesn't everybody want to pay month after month of additional carrying costs while dropping their asking price two or three times?   

These people have no sense of adventure.  I bet they even plan the budget, then budget the plan!

I wish everybody could.  I wish everybody did.

(As is probably obvious, I adore this blog!  Thank you for writing it!)

I'm also seeing much more of what I call "project management" staging in the DC area. I'm currently working with several trustees of estates who want to get the most from the property they have inherited. In most cases the homes have not been updated so they are looking for good-looking, reasonably priced upgrades. The past three homes I've staged have been six month or longer projects where we went from the initial paint color selection all the way to a vacant staging. I love getting in on the project at the beginning.

I'm also seeing more clients ask for advice well in advance of selling their homes.  (I admit, I'm also doing the same thing myself ... taking care of upgrades even though I probably won't sell for another year or two.)  As professional stagers we're equipped to help our clients determine which upgrades will be most cost-effective.  It really takes off so much pressure on sellers when they do the work well in advance of selling.

We are seeing more of this too and it is a great sign. Now is the time to stay in touch with everyone you know. Add these people to your monthly email flyer and always have helpful hints, maybe a recipe, and a short article about the community and its events.  Let people get to know you as a person. Then when the time comes for them to get their home showcase ready... you will be the first person they call and refer. Best of luck.

I have  to agree with all of you.  I too have been seeing this trend.  Dealing with a project where the homeowner has done their homework makes for a much easier transition to their new lifestyle.  Not to mention how it helps take the pressure off the stager to get the project completed amidst the furry of carpenters, painters and flooring installers.

Sveta- I think it's part of our ever expanding field.  I provided a consultation several months ago for a client who was forward thinking and not sure when or if he would place his home on the market.  He wanted advice on what projects might give him the best ROI.  Lori Kim Polk gave excellent advice about adding advice, hints, etc to your monthly e-Newsletter.  How many times have Stagers heard "I wish I'd thought about moving that here/doing that years ago!" from our clients after their home has been staged. 

Hi Sveta.  I'm actually living this right now.  We are going to put our house on the market in the next year, but no rush.  In the meantime, we're making the changes that need to be made and are headed in that direction.  The fact that there's no deadline is very nice.  I worked with a frantic client this morning who looked sooooo tired after trying to make many key changes to her home quickly to put it on the market.  Not something I want to do!

Sveta,

I just used my first home stager; I get to see the results tomorrow.

Yes, I have had several consults just this year with 50 plus couples who will be getting ready to move in the 2-3 years and want to know the best ROI improvements. It is so wise for them to get professional advise and get started early-also enjoy the improvements a little before leaving.   

Great information.  I think as the market has changed, homeowners now realize that it takes a plan and careful preparation to get their home ready for the market.  The wise ones start this process early.

I love pro active sellers who don't wait until the last minute to do everything and become overwhelmed Sveta. They can pace themselves and set their priorities over time.  I have met a group who focuses on Senior move management as well and am starting to do presentations at retirement communities to prospective buyers (my first one will be later this month).  I believe this is a great group, often times motivated to downsize, to market staging services too.