Is Staging Enough?
I have been staging now for almost 3 years. I have seen when Realtors don't get staging and when they do. I have seen many success stories when staging was applied and unsuccessful stories when staging was not applied. The property sits and sits and well, sits.
Lately though I have asked myself is staging enough? Each and every stager has their own set area of talents which they use and are successful with. I personally have my own thoughts about "just staging". Before anyone gets annoyed...I am in no way, no means saying anything negative about staging. After all I am a stager...whew!
My question is very simple: Is staging enough? My background is in Interior Design and I understand the two are very different. I walk into a home and right away I can get a sense of the home and which way I am heading to stage. I like to theme each house. The location plays a huge part in my mind as to how I am going to go about each and every project. I usually drive around the neighborhood and get a feel for the location i.e. neighbors etc. Sure I can put in some fabulous accessories but why stop there? For example: To me the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in selling a house. If I see a kitchen in which the cabinets look old I think to myself why not paint them or re-finish them and add new hardware? It is cost effective and it really helps when selling a property. If I see everything in the kitchen has been upgraded and I notice the ugly plastic switch plates. Why not help your client, (charge them a small fee of course) and change the switch plates to stainless steel? That small detail alone will give it a feel of an upgrade. If you see florescent lighting in the kitchen that screams "The 70's called and wants to know if they can have their lighting back!" Again, purchase a brushed nickel fixture. I have a handyman that works with me and this helps me out quite a bit. Can we talk about countertops? Seriously folks... Doing upgrades costs the client a lot less most of the time then let's say the first price reduction. I say fellow stagers why not step it up? Interview some licensed and bonded handymen. Talk to some painters. People are always willing to help especially if it leads to business. Let's blow our clients away. I have enclosed pictures of a property that I just finished. It was in terrible shape but the challenge and transformation alone was worth it; not to mention that in five days it was under contract!
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