When getting ready to sell a house, your Realtor may bring up staging. There are several reasons why people hire stagers. Your MLS photos will be all over the internet, buyers will need to feel at home in the space during showings, and it can help your house sell quickly.
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When to Hire a Stager
- An Estate – an old, outdated house in need of some sprucing up is a good candidate for staging. Stagers can incorporate some older things and newer things to make it cohesive and inviting.
- New build – with help from your stager, people can see how furniture fits in the space. It can be hard for buyers to visualize when a room is empty. Rooms can also feel smaller when they’re empty.
- Vacant house -same as a new build, a house can feel smaller when it’s empty. When you put a room together, it feels more inviting and homey. Adding a comfy couch, fluffy pillows, end tables, and plush area rugs can do wonders showcasing a living room.
- Awkward space – sometimes if you have an awkward space, or a unique house, it’s helpful to hire a stager. They can work with the space to create the most engaging and comfortable appearance.
What Rooms Need Staging
- Living room– The main room of the house should be showcased in the best way possible for a great showing experience. If it’s nice and open, this will help buyers see how the placement of furniture and décor can work with the large space, adding layers and texture.
- Kitchen / Dining – while still keeping simple and clean, staging these areas helps people to see their family enjoying a meal around the beautifully set table, or having a drink at the island after work.
- Large Bedrooms – if there is a large bedroom, it’s nice to stage it in a way the feels luxurious and like a true master bedroom. Show that it can fit a king sized bed and a reading nook. Play up the space and buyers won’t want to leave!
How Much Does it Cost?
There are many variables when considering to hire a home stager. It largely depends on what your budget is. On average, it can cost a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars to stage a home.
A home stager can come in and work with the furniture and accessories that you already own, rearranging and redecorating in a way that you didn’t envision. They play up the best qualities of a room, while minimizing the weaknesses. This will run you a few hundred dollars and up, depending on how many rooms and how big the job is and is a great option for staging a house.
For a few thousand dollars, stagers will bring in their own furniture to stage your home beautifully, with no work from you. Leave them to it and they will place the furniture and accessories, while choosing the perfect colors and textures to make the room feel warm and inviting. They can do a room or two, or a whole house, depending on your budget.
If this all seems a bit out of your price range, but you have a vacant house to sell, consider speaking with your Realtor about adding a couple of virtually staged pictures to your listing. Some photographers do an excellent job and get people excited to come see the home and the possibilities. Others can look a little cheesy. Make sure you go with a reputable real estate photographer, and you’ll be impressed with the results.
In some markets, a Realtor will even offer to pay for the staging. If it’s in their best interest to stage it in order to sell, they may do it. Especially if they have a million dollar + listing. That price range tends to sit on the market for an extended period in many areas. The best will sell faster – so, staging is always a great option.
Thinking of doing a few things around the house yourself? Check out 5 easy updates to get your house sold. With a combination of some updates and some staging, you will be ready to sell quickly!
