Several times in the recent past, we have been asked if a home should be staged.
The challenge is the popularity of HGTV and the flip/renovation to sell shows that almost always end with a staging of the house scene.
This is followed by an open house, followed by a full or close to full price offer.
So it begs the question – should a home owner stage their house?
Of course, everyone has a different definition of the term staging, so the question is not easily answered.
First, let’s differentiate STAGING vs. STYLING a home
When you enter a show home, you know it is not being lived in. Yet, there is furniture in most every room, pictures on the walls and plants on the counters. Some even have toys in the kid’s rooms.
This is staging – conveying an empty house like a home.
Why do home builders do this?
To show a buyer how warm, inviting and livable that house can be, and how the furniture can fit. According to published statistics and experience, many people have a difficult time visualizing in an empty room.
But if a homeowner is still living in the house, it is already a home. The homeowner has put their design ideas, no matter how coordinated or how popular their specific taste, into the home.
In other words, it doesn’t need to be staged.
But it may need help with ‘styling’.
When you’re selling a house, you want to present the property in as inviting of a light as possible, both online in pictures and in person.
As a client mentioned recently when they bought a home,
“…you want to feel like you can come in, kick off your shoes, grab a beverage and relax.”
As a home seller who wants to maximize their return, that is what you are trying to achieve.
That means making your home present as close to show home style as possible.
It may mean:
- realigning furniture (you can always move it back once your house is sold)
- removing some items (you have to box these up to move anyway)
- adding things like pillows and flowers (small investment for a big return)
- repainting a feature wall to a neutral tone (it won’t be your house soon, so who cares, and paint is one of the least expensive investments you can make)
Whatever it may be, the stylist can work with the owner to maximize that show home look. Keep in mind, they work with what you have available.
So when asked if a home needs to be staged, we like to respond that:
Statistics show that an empty house can benefit from staging.
Be aware though, that this will require an additional investment with a staging professional, just like on HGTV, to bring in furniture and accessories.
But, if your home is already lived in, let’s invest in a stylist to help you work with what you have to achieve the best results.
That’s why Team Leesman CARES
includes a designing stylist
to work with sellers
in many situations!