First impressions more important in a slower market
Posted on April 3, 2009
Filed Under Stager Blogs, Staging Articles |
Stacey Haluka Leave a Comment
In a hot real estate market, even homes that don’t give the greatest first impression will still sell. However, as the market cools off, the listings that show well will be the ones that sell faster and for a better price.
“Recent economic uncertainty has led to more of a buyers’ market,” says Dianne Usher, vice president, Royal Lepage Real Estate Services, Johnston and Daniel Division. “In this market, a house that isn’t properly prepared may struggle to sell. Staging and preparing a home for sale is more critical now than ever before.”
While interior decorating concentrates on making people feel more at home in their interior space, the objective of staging is to make the home more marketable inside and outside. Staging usually involves getting rid of clutter and ‘depersonalizing’ a home. “Most people can’t envision themselves in someone else’s home,” says Usher. “Things like clutter or an imbalance of furnishings or colours that are out of sync with the home can throw them off.” As part of their service, REALTORS® need to educate clients about how staging a home for sale can make a huge difference in the outcome of the deal. For some clients, it can be a tough sell to get them to pack away the family photos and bowling trophies.
When faced with a sellers’ home that’s cluttered, outrageously decorated or in need of a major clean-up, many REALTORS® suggest enlisting the services of a professional home stager. Just as a home inspector investigates and reports on a home’s structural and mechanical fitness, a home stager will evaluate a home’s curb appeal and saleability. Usher, a REALTOR® with more than 30 years of experience, says there is an increased awareness among REALTORS® of the importance of staging. “More REALTORS® are advising their clients to use this service and some even offer to pay for a stager as part of their value-added service.”
Although the cost to hire a professional home stager varies widely depending on the scope of the project, Usher says it’s a service that is worth the investment. “In my experience, a minimal investment in the cost of staging can achieve a much higher selling price, even if the property is priced properly,” she says. Many REALTORS® have increased their knowledge of staging and can help clients stage their homes for little or no cost. “While it’s beneficial for REALTOR® to learn about staging, they should not become a stager,” says Usher. “As REALTORS® we need to know when to call in the experts.”
An accredited home stager will follow a set of standards and professional guidelines to prepare a home for sale. Staging services range from simply rearranging furniture to emptying a house out and filling it with rented furniture. The cost for staging can range from $50 to $150 an hour with the majority of jobs taking less than a day to complete.
Contact Staging Spaces for a consultation today!
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