Setting the Stage to Entice Buyers

International Association of Home Staging Professionals President Barb Schwarz says staging involves depersonalizing a home in order to attract buyers and allow them to “mentally move into” the property. Experts says buyers will not buy a home that they cannot imagine themselves in, and that can be impossible to do when homes are cluttered or when they appear smaller because they are vacant. Home stagers provide a variety of services costing anywhere from $250 for recommendations to $1,800 to $15,000 for two months of full-service staging, depending on the size of the home, how much clutter must be tamed, and how much furniture must be brought in. Experts say sellers should think of staging as a high-return investment, with staged homes selling quicker and for more money. Even partial staging, in which a couple of rooms are fully staged, can help. Sellers often are asked to remove their own clutter and box up their personal belongings, have their windows professional cleaned, and neutralize paint colors. Buyers want homes in move-in condition, so stagers might recommend that sellers install stainless steel appliances and granite counters in the kitchen, for instance. Although more high-end homes are staged, experts say properties in all price ranges would benefit from the service, especially given how competitive the market is these days. | Read More