Home Staging Is More Than Making A Home Look Marvelous!

Home staging is a win-win. When a home is professionally staged it sells 67% faster than an unstaged home (according to a 2010 RESA study). Selling quickly is a win for the homeowner, but it is also a win for the buyers because they are purchasing a home that is move-in ready, without deferred maintenance issues. Most buyers don’t have additional funds to make repairs and updates to a home they are purchasing so they will pass on a home that needs updating. A certified, professional stager will make the house feel like a home but will also address maintenance issues that could turn buyers away. Home staging is more than making a home stylish, welcoming, and comfortable. Improving the quality of the home by making repairs and improvements makes the home more valuable.

Do you remember the old Billy Crystal sketch playing the character Fernando Lamas where he’d say, "You look marvelous! It is better to look good than to feel good." We would laugh and know it was shallow and untrue. It's the same with home staging – if you make a home look “marvelous” but don't address the deferred maintenance issues in the home, no one is winning. The deferred maintenance issues will come to light during the inspection and cause the homeowner to make concessions. The deal may even fall apart completely.

The National Association of Realtors found that when a homeowner spends 1% to 3% of the price of the home on staging and maintenance, they receive an 8% to 10% return on their investment. The return comes in the form of a higher sales price, a faster sale, and fewer carrying costs. In this simple example, a home worth $300,000 with an investment of $3,000 on repairs and staging will return an investment of $24,000.

When you hire a professional stager, you will experience a win-win. If you are a homeowner, your home will sell faster with fewer complications at inspection because your buyers will be purchasing a quality, move-in ready home (that looks marvelous). If you are a realtor, you will be assured of a smooth sale for your seller or your buyers.