The Short Answer is YES … 100%!

Staging is one of the BEST WAYS we create value (and equity) for our clients …

Is staging worth it? It’s a lot of time, money and hassle and you want to know if it will pay off.

The quick answer is, “yes, staging is worth it!”

Any home can sell exactly the way it is, as long as the price is right. You don’t have to do a thing. However …

According to a survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) one-third of the agents surveyed estimated that staged homes sell for 1 – 5% more than non-staged homes. An additional 21% estimated that staged homes sold for 6% – 10% higher than a non-staged home. On a million-dollar home, we are talking an average of $25,000 – $75,000!

In the same survey, 77% of buyers said that a staged home “made it easier to visualize the property as their future home”.

Is staging common?

The survey says 38% of home sales are staged, but that is a nationwide statistic. Local statistics are not available.

In general, yes, full staging is becoming more common.

Full staging means a certified professional stager furnishes every detail in the assigned rooms when the home is vacant. When the home is occupied, a talented professional stager can incorporate the seller’s belongings into an over-all cohesive look by reducing, rearranging and repurposing.

How much does staging cost?

It is not hard to find a listing agent who will offer complimentary staging, but is it worth it?

There is a big difference between furnishing a room and an HGTV transformation. A professional stager with a large inventory can tell a compelling story and your ideal buyer will pay top dollar.

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There are almost as many stagers as there are Realtors and the range in quality is vast. Professional staging can cost anywhere from $1,400 – $10,000 for a vacant home in San Diego. You can always ask a top designer to adjust the budget by installing less detail or staging fewer rooms. It is more effective to do less with a talented designer than a whole home with a budget designer.

Read: Christensen Realty Group Case Study #1 – $131,500 More Than Expected Profit

What is included in a stagers fee?

A professional stager includes design services, furniture, accessory, soft furnishings, delivery and installation, and takedown service. Most of the furniture come from a well-known furniture store that would yield the results necessary to beautify one’s home.

All items are “rented” from the stager and the rental period is typically 45 – 60 days. Any extensions are generally charged at a monthly fee.

Can I live in a staged home?

Yes, you can live in a staged home. You may need to sign a contract agreeing to pay for damages beyond normal wear and tear.

Where does my old stuff go?

If you are planning to take everything to your new home you can either carefully pack your garage or rent a storage unit. But this is a chance to think ahead. Maybe you can donate items in advance and reduce your workload on moving day!

Read: Best Places To Donate Used Goods

Do I need to stage the whole house?

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We usually suggest staging the Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Master Bedroom, and all Bathrooms. If called for, a downstairs bedroom and a back patio as well. Every situation is unique and our advice is geared toward maximum profit, not just the highest sales price.

What improvements should I make before staging?

The truth is often surprising. Many homeowners think they need large improvements and fixes in order to get top dollar for their home and this assumption causes stress and anxiety. The key is knowing what improvements will bring the biggest net return. Our most common Smart FixUps™ are interior paint, replacing carpet, adding hardware to cabinets, and replacing dated light fixtures. We have an excellent, very reasonable transformation team. Most of the time we coordinate colors and choices with the home owners, then manager our contractors.

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Read: Why would I fix up my home when I won’t be able to enjoy it?

High-Profit Improvements

De-Clutter your home. This is a 100% money maker. I know- if you had the space to put all that stuff away you wouldn’t have to move in the first place! But, we are talking about how to get top dollar, and this one is top of the list. Just think of this as pre-packing for your move.

Paint. If you are willing to invest money, painting is a high-profit item. Painting instantly increases the perception of quality and the overall condition and can neutralize your aesthetics. If you have strong or dark colors, paint can brighten the space. Paint is also a money maker for your home’s exterior. Consider painting your trim and front door.

Landscape. This is a perfect do it yourself for a high-profit project. Trim, thin and get rid of anything that is dead or crispy. Plant lots of colorful pony packs from the nursery- consult the nursery staff for season-appropriate plants. If possible, plant orange and yellow flowers- these colors catch the eye and stand out from a distance. Install mulch in every planting bed you have. Mulch is paint for your landscaping – it’s magic and makes everything look brand new.

Every home and every situation is different!

The best way to maximize the sale of your home is to ask for our consultation. We’ll take a look at your home, consider your goals then based on your goals, usually suggest (2) options

1. Price accordingly / Sell quickly as is.
2. Smart FixUps™ and professional staging will get you top dollar.

Then we add our resources and create a plan that is easy, affordable and profitable.

Not ready to call us? Yeah, we get that is a pretty big and scary step to take.