Do You Still Believe These 7 Staging Myths?
Home staging has been around long enough that almost everyone is familiar with the concept. Show your buyers the possibilities of your home.
And still, there are some misconceptions about what it means to stage a home.
Home Staging Myths…
1. Before you sell, paint all of your walls white.
Yes to the coat of fresh paint but before you reach for that paint brush consult your agent first. All white walls can be stark and blah. If you do paint, hire a professional!
2. Leave worn or old carpeting for new buyers who may want to choose their own.
This is very old school. Yes, some investors may not be concerned about some cosmetic items because they have their own plans and budgets which may provide for certain updates. But many buyers want a home that will not need work as soon as they move in. Move-in ready is high on the list of “wants.”
3. Staging your home will get you a higher offer.
Ensuring that your home shows buyers its best side can’t hurt. However, it is not the only reason you’ll get the offer you want. The perceived value of your home is impacted by your home’s condition, the list price, and current market conditions.
4. Staging or styling your property is only necessary in a buyer’s market.
Even in a seller’s market, it’s important that sellers make sure that buyers can see the space…the liveability of the home. Yes, inventory is low and sellers are receiving multiple offers often just after their home is listed but buyers still need to see why they are spending 10, 20 30% or more over the asking price.
5. I hired a professional designer for my home when I moved in. It’s already staged.
Staging and decorating are similar but not the same. Accessories and designs that are too taste-specific may not sit well with some buyers. Styling a home to sell isn’t just about what vase you have. It’s about using, editing, and repurposing what you have to enhance your space.
6. Every vacant home has to be staged with furniture.
Having furniture and accessories in a house always helps a buyer see the space, but it’s not the most important thing you can do.
-Having the property in mint condition, with any deferred maintenance addressed is key. Clean inside and out and well-maintained landscaping are more important than living room furniture.
-Virtual staging programs have come a long way. They are more affordable and more companies are offering this service.
7. A property below a certain price point isn’t worth staging.
Just as there’s a buyer for every home, every home deserves to be shown in its best light. Whether a home is listed at $25o,000 or $1,250,000, the buyers viewing it want to see the space. They’ll want it to smell clean, to be clean, and to look clean.
If there is furniture in the home, buyers need to be able to see the space and its liveability for themselves regardless of how much it’s listed for.
Home staging is styling your home so that buyers will see the benefits it (your home) has to offer and how it will work for them. No magic…no smoke and mirrors…simply good marketing.
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