I just read a post by Amie Chaney, What Does Staging Cost?
I am sure that Amie had no idea when she wrote it what direction the comments were going to go. I started to add a comment and soon realized that my "comment" was getting rather lengthy and needed a post of its own.
I agree with Amie that sellers really cannot afford NOT to stage their homes to sell. It is very frustrating to hear that a client "cannot afford" to stage and then watch as the price is reduced by $20,000 a few months later.
When you consider the mortgage payment, insurance, and utility payments that are adding up each month it's on the market, the cost of not staging is pretty high.
I understand the comments re: cost and disclosure of fees. I sympathise with the fact that many sellers are under great financial stress and truly believe they can't afford this service.
Staging is perceived as expensive and some agents even feel it's unnecessary.
I believe that in many cases there is a misunderstanding that comes from the perceived definition of staging.
The most common misrepresentation of staging is that staging involves a total remodel... all new furniture and accessories brought in by a team of workers...costing thousands of dollars.
Not helping this perception is that many home stagers do not list prices for their services and many people assume it's too expensive rather than ask price.
We need to continue to educate sellers that staging is for all budgets and that the term covers a lot of services.
Staging can be as basic as getting professional advice on what needs to be done and then making those improvements yourself.
Cleaning and decluttering doesn't cost money and painting is not expensive.
Many times the existing furnishings and accessories just need to be rearranged or repurposed.
Slipcovers and new pillows can be purchased instead of new furniture.
It may be a lot of work, but it doesn't have to be expensive.
Most stagers are very passionate, we strive for excellence.
Our ultimate goal is a house that is emotionally appealing to buyers.
We are happiest when our work contributes to a successful sale.
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