Do you want to know the truth about home staging? If you’re getting ready to sell your home, you may have looked into home staging. There are many misconceptions out there and you might be surprised to learn what’s fact and what’s fiction. We hope learning the truth helps you make an informed decision when it comes to the sale of your home!
MYTH 1 “Home Staging Isn’t Necessary in a Seller’s Market”
FICTION!
We’ve heard this belief a lot in the past year or so, as many areas across the United States have experienced a seller’s market. Many may believe that staging isn’t necessary because most homes are already selling fast.
It may be true that homes are selling, but if you don’t stage you are leaving money on the table. Home staging is the number 1 investment you can make when selling your property, regardless if it is a seller’s market or a buyer’s market. According to statistics, staged homes consistently receive higher and more offers than unstaged homes. If your goal is to make the most money as possible, home staging is always necessary and beneficial.
MYTH 2 “Most Buyers Can’t Visualize a Home’s Potential without Staging”
FACT!
Only a very small percentage of people can visualize a home’s potential without staging. This is especially true in a vacant property. When touring a vacant home, the majority of people will feel confused and a bit overwhelmed, attempting to picture what the space could look like. Because they won’t be able to visualize the potential, it will be almost impossible for them to look past any flaws that the home may have, and they will nit-pick everything.
You might disagree because you think you have a “good eye”, but keep in mind that most people don’t and it’s just too big of a risk to take. Buying a house is an emotional process, and home staging is needed to create the feeling and lifestyle experience that attracts buyers.
MYTH 3 “Virtual Staging is Just as Effective as Physical Staging”
FICTION!
It’s true that virtual staging is just a fraction of the price of physical staging and you may be tempted to go with that option because you’ve heard it’s just as effective, but we don’t want you to make that mistake.
Virtual staging has its value, but it has many limitations that real, physical staging does not. When you virtually stage a property, you are only concerned with the online presentation of the home. This is extremely important because a good online presentation is needed to get people in the door, but it won’t sell your property! Buyers will have an expectation and image in their minds and they will be disappointed to walk into a completely empty or different space. Even though they’ve seen the digital version they will still have a difficult time visualizing the potential once they are in the home.
Virtual staging also may hurt your home sale, if it is done poorly or using proportions that are not realistic or physically possible in the actual home.
With real, physical staging, you will get a beautiful, realistic online presentation and buyers will be met with the exact same impression when they walk inside.
MYTH 4 “You Will Have to Move Out to Have Your Home Staged”
FICTION!
There are 2 main types of home staging: vacant (unoccupied) and occupied. In vacant home staging, the seller has already moved into a new property, or moves out for the purpose of the home being staged and sold. In occupied staging, the seller is living in the home during the sale process. Some staging professionals specialize in vacant staging, some in occupied, and some in both.
An occupied staging professional will work with you to de-clutter and pre-pack your belongs, arrange your existing furniture and potentially bring in additional pieces of furniture or décor where needed. They will also give you tips on how to maintain the staging and your home during the sale process, so you can live comfortably while showcasing your home at it’s absolute best and maximizing your sale potential.
MYTH 5 “It’s More Important to Stage Some Rooms Than Others”
FACT!
The majority of the time it is not necessary to stage an entire home. The most important rooms to stage are in the “heart” of the home: these are the main living areas, such as the kitchen, dining room, living room, family room, the main bedroom and bathroom. These are the biggest impact areas of the home and where the true lifestyle potential is showcased.
Nowadays we recommend sellers stage an office in their home if space allows. This is because most buyers are looking for space to work at home. We also recommend staging any quirky or unusually shaped rooms so buyers see a solution to potentially challenging areas.
Beyond that it isn’t important or necessary to stage other rooms, such as additional bedrooms, especially in really large properties.
MYTH 6 “It Doesn’t Matter Who Stages Your Home, As Long as You Get it Done You Will Have the Same Results”
FICTION!
Who stages your home will have a big impact on the results you receive. You will have a few options: you can hire a home staging professional, you can hire an amateur, or you can do it yourself.
We always recommend hiring a home staging professional. A professional is someone who has years of knowledge, education and experience. This person will have an established business with procedures, contracts, insurance, employees, and the like. It should be obvious that you are working with a professional and accredited company.
An amateur is someone who may be a hobbyist or is new to home staging. This person usually does not have formal home staging education or experience, and they may be just in the beginning phases of starting their business.
The third option is doing it yourself. You can choose to first consult with a home stager, or you can just wing it.
It’s clear that the choice you make matters, and it will be up to you and your personal situation. Our advice is to go with a professional because you will get the highest return on your investment as well as the best results and most seamless process.
MYTH 7 “Staging Increases the Perceived Value of Your Home”
FACT!
This is the number one purpose of home staging. On average, staged properties receive offers that are anywhere from 6-20% above asking price, and they consistently sell faster than unstaged homes.
Home staging is about showcasing your home in the best possible light. When your home is staged properly, the target buyer will fall in love with the idea of living there, and they will be more likely to overlook potential flaws. This will result in them wanting to put in an offer right away and can turn into a bidding war with multiple interested buyers. By increasing the perceived value of your home, home staging makes you more money and sells your home faster.
Do you want to make more money and sell your home faster? Contact us today for a staging quote.
