Home Staging FAQ

Is it really worth it to stage my home?
Surveys continue to prove that staging does make a difference. A 2003 HomeGain survey showed that staging paid for itself by boosting the final selling price. Over 2,000 realtors found that staged homes sold 50% faster and for 6-10% more. A 2006 survey performed by StagedHomes.com found that homes listed for sale without staging spent an average of 4.5 months on the market; homes staged before listing spent less than 1.5 months on the market. The average time for a staged home to reach a ‘sales pending’ status was about a week. In this competitive market the seller must do everything possible to stand out from the competition.  Staging will give your house greater appeal to prospective buyers as they look at it both online and in person. Every realtor will tell you that the longer your home “sits” on the market the lower your price will be.  With a staged home your chances are much greater for a faster sale at top dollar.

Do I need a professional stager - can’t I just stage my house myself?
Home staging is about turning your home into a product and merchandising it effectively. After living in a home for a while people become emotionally attached to it and get used to the way things look.  It becomes very difficult to think of your home as a product and to be objective about any changes that may be necessary. A professional home stager has the ability to look at your home through “buyer’s eyes” and has the expertise necessary to merchandise it in such a way that it will appeal to the largest pool of buyers.

Why should I change anything, can’t homebuyers use their imagination and see the potential?
It’s difficult for buyers to see past someone else’s personal décor or to find a frame of reference in a vacant room.  Amazingly, only 10% of homebuyers can actually visualize the potential of a home. The other 90% feel like what they see is what they get.  That is why it is so important to present a place that looks neutral, clean, spacious and inviting so the buyer feels like they could move right in.

How much does staging cost?
We offer different staging packages for you to consider and we will review these with you in detail at your consultation.  Your cost will depend on the size of your home and the amount of staging you choose to be done.  We work with your budget and timeframe.  The cost of staging is a minimal investment in your home that pays off with less time on the market and higher offers.  It is always much less expensive than a price reduction that you might need to make if your home sits on the market.

When should I call for a consultation?
You want the initial “buzz” about your home to be favorable, so the very best time to schedule us to stage your house is before you put it on the market.  That way no real estate agents or house-hunters will see it in less than perfect showing condition.  If the house is already listed, a great time to stage it is before an open house so that it will look its very best for all of the prospective buyers who walk through. You should also definitely call us before you consider a price reduction.