On the Merits of Home Staging

Last year, homes that were staged sold 33 percent faster than those that were not, according to the Real Estate Staging Association; and sellers who need to unload their properties quickly or no longer want to carry huge mortgages would be wise to spend money on staging to achieve a more timely sale. Stagers recommend that their services be sought prior to the property being listed in order to avoid homes sitting unsold and getting a bad reputation while carrying costs accumulate. They typically charge a couple hundred dollars for an hour consultation up to a few thousand dollars to stage a three-bedroom home for three months. “Professional stagers can be useful, but Realtors visit hundreds if not thousands of homes throughout a year. Because of that, they have a unique perspective on what today’s buyers value in a home,” says National Association of Realtors spokesperson Sara Wiskerchen. However, stagers say they have more time than Realtors to devote to design. They actually remove or rearrange furniture, rather than just make recommendations. Stagers further point out that rooms should not be empty, as it makes it more difficult for buyers to picture their belongings in the space. | Read More