When I tell people that I’m a home stager, I often hear “what’s that?” I forget that not everyone is addicted to HGTV like me, and I might need to explain how working with a stager can help save time, money and stress.
Home staging is NOT interior design as much as it is marketing. It’s focused on making a house appealing to the target buyer demographic so that they are attracted to the property and can imagine making it their new home.
Why is it important to stage a house? With over 90% of buyers looking at a listing online before viewing the property, it’s vital to make a great first impression. Photos of houses that appear cluttered or outdated are not attractive, and photos of empty rooms make it difficult to imagine the use of the space.
The most compelling reason to stage is, statistically, staged homes sell faster and often for more money than unstaged homes.
Bottom line? The cost of staging a home is often far less than the first price reduction, which is inevitable if the house lingers on the market. One of the best investments a homeowner can make is to work with a home stager before they list their home for sale.
Keep in mind that not all staging is created equal! You’ll want to ensure that you’re working with an experienced and certified professional who is up-to-date on industry standards and trends. Our friends at Redfin recently asked a group of home staging and design experts (including yours truly!) about common staging mistakes that can turn a potential buyer off. Click here to check out the informative list they put together!