3 minute read
To Stage or Not to Stage
www.BlackhawkLivingCA.com @BlackhawkLivingCA #BlackhawkLivingCA
By Linda Kralik, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Drysdale Properties, Resident since 1984
Yes, staging is the question on the mind of every home seller.
Shall l stage my home? Who do I trust? What are the costs? What are the benefits? How do I prepare my home? Who will pay? And what if, when all is said and done, my home doesn’t sell? What now?
Let’s take these questions one at a time.
1. What are the costs?
The cost of staging can be likened to an “a la carte” menu or a “prixe fixe” menu.” You can opt for any number of staged rooms or just an overhaul of each of the special rooms. For instance, there are stagers that just use the owner’s personal property but re-arrange a room to look more “model perfect.” Other stagers will bring in their own furniture and object d’art to accent an individual room, or sometimes all of the impact rooms; Living room, Dining Room, Master Bath, Kitchen, and sometimes the secondary baths. All of these options contribute to the overall costs. The more rooms staged, the higher the costs.
2. What are the Benefits?
Staging your home has some direct benefits and some indirect benefits. The direct benefits are the impression of a wellmaintained home; neat, orderly, clean. It often times give the home a larger feel and gives each room a purpose, all of which helps the buyer see themselves in the home. One positive indirect benefit is getting a head start on packing. Getting personal photos and nick-nacks packed and ready to move. Decluttering and de-personalizing your home helps buyers see what they are actually buying. But the most important reason for staging is to increase the likelihood of selling more quickly and at a greater value than an un-staged home.
3. Who do I trust?
Trust your Realtor, first and foremost. Choose one that has been in the industry long enough to know the vendors necessary in selling a property. A well-seasoned realtor should give you a few options of reliable stagers for you to chose from and work with on the staging.
4. How shall I prepare my home?
For staging to work, your home needs to be clean; carpets clean, windows done, hardwood floors clean, etc. etc. This gives the stager an empty canvas to work with in their design. Most likely, you will have a consultation with your chosen stager who will give you a punch list to complete prior to their arrival.
5. Who will pay?
Always a tough question, but this needs to be discussed prior to moving forward. There are several ways to look at this and many ways to create a positive outcome. Some agents agree to front the cost and be reimbursed at Close of Escrow or when listing expires. Some homeowners agree to pay all costs. Some agents agree to pay all costs. Make sure you know how this cost is going to be paid and by whom, prior to incurring the expense. And have an “END” date for the staging that everyone agrees with so expenses do not keep adding up unnecessarily.
6. How to live in a Staged Home?
This can be tricky. Living in a Model Staged home is not like living in your own home. Everything is placed perfectly; the towels, the soap dish, the plates and silverware, the bedspreads. All those little things that don’t matter, until you list your home for sale and bring in a stager!! This is when you need both patience and flexibility. Work with your stager to make some “home space.” Think of the needs of your household and find the necessary areas for you and your family to continue to enjoy your home, even though your home is on the market.
So, you have done all of the above and still, your home has not sold. Spend time with your Realtor and discuss the future options: lower price, offer incentives, take a “time out”, etc. At this point in time, your staging has lost it’s first impression impact and you may want to consider removing it and saving the cost for a later time.
I hope you have found this article informative and interesting. LK
