OK so just the other day I was talking to someone about Home Staging and how it can help sell a home. The conversation went a little like this.....Me: Have you thought about having your home staged, you know home staging really does work and can help you sell your home. The Other Party:I have heard of Home Staging, I have even seen those shows on HGTV (got to love HGTV,) but isn't that just for rich people with high-end homes to sell? Me:Hugh???? OK so I really didn't say the Hugh part but I really wanted to ; )
The thought that Home Staging is just for higher priced homes is one of the myths that is going around about Home Staging. I feel that as a Professional Home Stager part of my job is to make homes look their best for the market. However, the biggest part of my job is educating and dismantling all the myths and misinformation about Home Staging. The fact of the matter is ALL homes in ALL price points can benefit from Home Staging. Do you think just because you are not selling a $500,000 or million dollar home that your house should not be clean, clutter free and show ready? Your answer should be a big fat "no!"
I know I know some of you are saying but I can't afford to hire a professional Stager to come in and stage my home. My response to this rebuttal is NO- what you can't afford is for your home to not have a fair chance against its direct competition. You can't afford to market and sell a home that is not q-tip clean, clutter free and depersonalized. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves and put in a little sweat equity, Home Staging is more affordable than you think. Did you know that you can have a Professional Home Stager come to your home and prepare what is called a "Written Consultation," out-lining what needs to be done to prepare your home for sale for between $150-400? (Prices on Home Staging Consultations vary depending on what part of the country you live in) The investment of receiving a written consultation will be far less than a price reduction. I will say it again ALL homes can benefit from Home Staging in ALL price points.
Don't believe me? Well take the home that I prepared a Written Consultation for that was listed for $114,000. Prior to me visiting the home it had been listed off and on for over 3 years......yes you read that right 3 years. I provided the sellers a Written Consultation for the investment of "250.00." The sellers completed all of my recommendations and 30 days later received three offers and accepted the one for full asking price of course. Still think that only homes in the higher price points will benefit from Home Staging?
Perhaps, you need a little more convincing, let's take a look at the couple who wanted to sell their home so they could move to sunny Florida and retire in the sun. This couple had their home listed for $145,000. The home was charming but was a bit out dated and bland. Here I come to the rescue! I provided the sellers with a detailed report offering my recommendations on what I felt would bring life to this home. The sellers were motivated and anxiously got started on my recommendations (love, love, love motivated sellers.) 2 weeks after my recommendations were completed the sellers received an offer just under their asking price. They are now in Florida as we speak probably sipping on Mojito's basking in the sun.
The moral of the story is that ALL homes in ALL price points can benefit from professional Home Staging services.(Yep, I said it again) If you are selling your home on a tight budget and don't mind putting in a little work to get your home market ready, consider having a professional Home Stager prepare a detailed Written Consultation for you. You owe it to yourself, your Real Estate Professional and the potential buyer to make sure that your home is market and show ready!
Happy Selling, Happy Staging!
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