Questions and Answers for Staging a Property
“If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is infinite.” ~ William Blake
Today’s market is healthier than any real estate broker could imagine. Even Northern Colorado continues to move forward regardless of the dilemmas bestowed upon us. Real estate sales would normally becoming to a lull till Spring. However, the shortage of houses keeps us in full swing as 2021 quickly approaches. This is splendid news for homeowners looking to upgrade or downsize. For those looking to maximize investment may want to consider some additional tools such as staging a home prior to selling. This method can be worth the time when looking to sell in the luxury sector of Loveland and surrounding areas. For your information, we’ve answered some questions for staging a property for you to see why it’s of value to sellers. If you are ready, let’s get started.
- What are the Benefits to Staging?
- Buyer’s Perspective
- Why Realtors Suggest Staging a Home
- Do You Need to Renovate the Entire Property?
- Should You Hire a Professional?
- Which Rooms Need Staging More?
- Don’t Forget the Curb Appeal
- When Should You Stage a House?
- How Much Will It Cost You?
What are the Benefits of Staging a Home?
Benefits for staging a home may vary depending on the community and the condition of the property. Whether you are removing clutter or throwing outdated furniture, staging a home allows the next homeowner to visualize living at their new address. When this happens, it is beneficial to the seller as clients pay, asking price or sometimes more. If a room is outdated or needs a boost to make the place more ‘Sellable’ your Realtor® may request or advise you to consider staging the home. Buyers connect with their surroundings easier and are more likely to take mental ownership, which is exactly what you want to happen. But before we get into anything else, let us talk about the connection.
Buyer’s Perspective, and Why it is Important
The buyer’s perspective imagines living in the home. They will picture themselves pulling open the closet doors and how their wardrobe will fit into the spaces. Another potential resident may visualize hosting an enormous party with friends in the dining room or kitchen. In some cases, they might even wake up to a sunny morning with coffee in hand, thinking about the view out the big picture window which overlooks the mountainside. When they make an offer, fantasy becomes reality, but until that point, they assume ownership at their level.
“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” ~ Aristotle
Why do Realtors® Suggest Staging a Home?
Realtors® may suggest staging when the home is outdated or empty. Some properties distract the buyer or buyer’s agent from giving the home a chance. When this happens, giving the design a boost leading to an increase in a bid of 5% or more. In addition, the home will sell faster reducing days on the market. If your agent suggests, go with their expert knowledge. After all, that is why you hired them.
Do You Need to Renovate the Entire Home Before Selling?
You do not need to stage the entire house. In most cases, throwing away or organizing your home may be all you need. We also recommend a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color in high-traffic areas. If you are planning on DIY, be sure to take down family photos, put away any awards or anything personal. Remember, your goal is to get the new owners to feel ‘As if’ they are already living there. The tiny tasks are often huge game changers with selling an estate.
Should You Hire a Professional Stager?
Sometimes, your Realtor® will split the cost or you may have to pay for the service yourself. Regardless of cost, hiring a pro to do this work is valuable because they are not looking at your home on a personal level. They provide a non-objective way to ensure your property is looking its best to appeal to more buyers. These professionals provide great insight to what will sell and what you can leave to ensure you have the best first impressions.
Which Rooms are Most Important for Staging?
Do you need to stage the entire home? Not necessarily. Rooms that receive the most attention would be the living room and kitchen. These two rooms provide the buyers the most value when they are seeking a new home. As most have it, the kitchen is always where everyone likes to live. However, your yard and front of the home is another area that should be clean and presentable for people driving by and when the home shoppers are pulling into the driveway. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
The Importance of Curb Appeal?
Let’s take a deeper dive than the previous paragraph and focus on curb appeal. As the initial spot, clients will stoke their imagination into becoming owners. They will look to see if the fence is intact. Buyers picture the garage door opening while they park their cars. They imagine what type of yard they’ve always dreamt. The possibilities are endless. But, when selling during the winter months, be sure to shovel the snow and make the home look as presentable as possible. Not to mention, pick up any rubbish on the lawn and attempt to repair eyesores or areas that could turn off a potential resident. By placing some importance on curb appeal, you’ll be giving the house a good image inside and out.
When Should You Stage a Home?
Staging a home happens prior to listing. Your agent will give you the guidance necessary for making those decisions depending on the home itself. Most Realtors® will recommend homes selling in the $600,000 + price range are presentable. If your home isn’t in this price-point, no worries. Focus on what you can do on your own. It would surprise you what a fresh coat of paint can do, and the cost is reasonable. A good time to stage a home is when the property has become outdated or if it is vacant. Many of the vacation properties in the mountains come across this issue. Staging is a wonderful solution in these cases.
How Much Does Staging Cost?
The cost for staging a home can vary. If it is someone local, you can budget for $2,000-4,000 on average. If the home is vacant, you might find additional costs for renting furniture and décor. Be sure to hire qualified individuals by the ASP or Accredited Staging Professionals. On average, these folks run around $100-$200 per hour. They offer one day fees and per month rates. In the event you are hosting an open house, it might make excellent sense to fix it up before the showing.
Understanding if staging a home is worthwhile in order for you to sell faster and for more money is a delightful conversation for you and your real estate agent. They will help you find the right stagers and give guidance on what rooms could use this service. We hope this has shed some light on your decision. In the meantime, drop me a line or text me for more information.
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