4 TIPS for Realtors – How to Effectively Convince Your Clients to Effectively Convince Your Clients To Stage Their Home

Home staging has now become a necessity when selling homes. However, there are still a few people who may be wary on its effects due to the cost. Some people question if it is even worth it. Real estate agents often may come across clients who don’t care for home staging, calling it an unnecessary cost. But it has been proven that home staging costs less than the first price reduction of a listing. Realtors often get hit with the question ‘Why do I need to stage my home?’ or ‘Will it really make a difference?’ There are many ways to convince clients that home staging is the best possible option in order to get their home sold. Here’s how:

1. Show them statistics!

Research the area and see how long homes in the area stay on the market. You can use this as a tool to convince clients who may not want their home on the market for too long. Homes can be on the market from 30 days to 4 months or even longer. Presenting these facts will help your client understand how much time they will have their house on the market and the risk of having a price reduction. Because, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” If they don’t stage before they list their home, they’ll inevitably lose time and money! According to a study conducted by RESA (Real Estate Staging Association), staged homes spend on average 86% less time on the market than un-staged properties. This means staging helps you SAVE stress, save mortgage payments, save ongoing maintenance cost, save insurance payments for home sellers. And most importantly, home sellers are able to move on with their lives faster.

Another added benefit of staging is that NAR, the National Association of Realtors, and other sources indicate that staged properties typically see a 6-20% higher sales price than if left un-staged.

2. Before & After Photos

Showing your clients before and after photos of homes that were on the market before staging and how they positively affected the sale after staging is beneficial. Keep things visual so that your client can get a clear understanding of how home staging works and how it can turn their home from a no to a yes SOLD! And, it is wise to let understand that not just vacant properties, but also occupied home need to be staged. A professional stager will provide homeowners with the best tips and strategies to keep their home in great condition while the home is on the market.

3. Show Staged vs. Un-Staged Properties

Showing your clients properties that have been staged and those that have not been professionally staged will help them see the difference in first hand. You can show them either online or in person. With 95% of home buyers starting their search online first to make a list of properties they would like to see, these first impressions online are so critical. Ask your clients – “Which house would you want to go and see?” After all, today you can lose the sale of your house by one click on the mouse. Buyers move within split seconds on to the next property online. These first split seconds of impressions online can make or break a deal.

4. Success Stories

Telling success stories is one of the best ways to convince clients that staging will be the best option for them. For example, the home below was on the market for more than 6 months prior to staging. After it was staged it had an accepted offer in just 9 days!

Because great home staging creates a lifestyle experience buyers aspire to, it will help them envision themselves living there. But it will also make them fall in love with the property. This lifestyle experience, which creates emotional connections, will help facilitate a speedy sale and for top dollar. If potential buyers don’t FEEL an emotional connection with your home, they won’t feel like they belong there, and they’ll be looking elsewhere.

For more information there is a great article that you may want to read and pass on to your clients: “Is Professional Home Staging Worth The Cost?”