5 MORE HOME STAGING MYTHS: ADDITIONAL MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HOME STAGING

There are so many myths about staging. Here are 5 more of the common misconceptions.

Staging isn’t necessary because buyers can just imagine what the home will look like once they move in. 

Only 10% of buyers can envision a home’s true potential. Even if they can envision the potential, most buyers don’t want to spend the time or the money to do the work. Give buyers exactly what they want and you will be rewarded greatly with a quick sale and a strong selling price.

 

Without staging, buyers might not be able to envision how to use the long space.

It’s not necessary to stage a vacant home. 

Believe it or not, a vacant room actually looks smaller. There is nothing for the eye to use for comparison to assess the actual size. There are other downsides as well. Empty spaces feel cold and uninviting. Buyers don’t have anything to focus on, so they will notice everything you don’t want them to see, such as that small scratch in the floor. Most buyers can’t envision how they would use each space and arrange their furniture. As a side note, when a home is vacant buyers think that maybe since the sellers have already moved out, they are desperate to sell and would take a lower price. In summary, nothing positive comes out of not staging a vacant home.

 

An empty room feels cold & uninviting, as opposed to warm & welcoming. 

 

Smaller, inexpensive homes are not worth staging.  

Every home benefits from staging, regardless of the size or price. The difference is in what you do to stage and how much you spend. Smaller homes have lots to gain with staging. You want to show buyers how much living and storage space you have, and how there are enough rooms for all the needs they may have.

 

 

Small homes also benefit fro staging - indoors and out.

Staging involves removing everything and painting all the walls white or beige.  

This myth has been around for quite some time and that’s probably why it’s so prevalent. When staging, you want a home to feel warm and inviting. A stark, white space is anything but warm. The same is true of a home where all but the bare minimum of furniture is removed. It doesn’t convey warmth. There are so many interesting colors you can use when staging. Don't be afraid to use patterns and textures. You want enough furniture to show buyers how the spaces can be used.

 

This kitchen may be neutral but it's far from boring thanks to pops of color on the stools and a patterned backsplash over the stove. 

 

Part of home staging includes removing pets from the home while it’s on the market. 

This is where I might differ from the majority of agents and home stagers. I do believe pet owners have a more difficult task of doing the initial cleaning and then maintaining that cleanliness while the home is on the market. However, I know that getting rid of my pets is not an option. Of course, there are things you should do to minimize their presence. First, keep toys, litter boxes, food and water bowls tucked away. Be vigilant about odors and fur (or feathers). And try to keep them away from buyers during showings and open houses.

 

No need to find a sitter for your pets. Just make sure you clean thoroughly & regularly, and don't let them roam free while buyers are visiting.

Take the time to really learn about home staging and how it can help you and your family. Statistics continue to show how beneficial staging can be to buyers, sellers, and agents.

5 Home Staging Myths

If you think any of these statements are true, you could be losing money when selling your home.

Home staging is expensive.     

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to stage successfully. On average, you should expect to spend about 1% of the value of your home on staging. So if you’re home is worth $200,000, you will probably spend about $2000. If you’re home is in good shape, you could spend considerable less. After staging, you will easily be able to add that much to the asking price, and usually 2-3 times or more. When clients are hesitant about the cost, I often tell them this. The cost of staging is usually significantly less than the cost of the first price reduction. Think about it. It’s not common for a home to be listed and never have any reductions in price. How much is a typical price reduction? Often, it’s at least $5,000, but usually $10,000. And don’t forget that many homes experience more than once price reduction before being sold.

 

A simple desk and chair can define a spare room as an office.

Home staging is the same as decorating.

While there are some similarities, for the most part these two things are vastly different. When we decorate a home, we add our personality and create a space that appeals to our family. Our homes tell our family’s story to friends and relatives who visit. When we stage, we are taking the personality out of the space. We don’t want potential buyers to walk in and be able to learn everything they can about our family’s lives. Your home should be inviting and welcoming, but the majority of visitors should feel like they could live there.

 

This kitchen is bright and airy with minimal items on the countertops.

 

It’s better to take a chance at selling first without staging.

This is a huge mistake, with big consequences. Even worse, the damage can’t be undone. Once your home is listed in less than ideal condition, or at a price that is not reflective of what the home is truly worth, it becomes stigmatized. I’ve seen real estate agents show these homes to clients to illustrate what not to do, or to use as a comparison with another home to convince buyers why they are getting a better deal with another property. You can stage, relist, and market all you want, and it will still be “that overpriced house that needs work.” And even if you can convince someone to take a second look, they are not going to trust you. They’ll think, well, the home is worth the price they are asking now, but they were taking advantage of us before they made updates. How do I know this home is truly worth this price? And you can’t raise the price after staging—that never goes over well in the market!

 

This house is warm & welcoming.

Staging is just the latest trend in real estate, and next year will be something different.

If you think about it, staging has been around for decades. We just never had a name for it. Anytime we sell anything we make sure it’s in the best possible condition. We highlight the positives features and try to show it in the best light. The same is true when we sell our homes. Over the last 10 years, staging has really been thrown into the spotlight and has really grown. There is much more information available and we are learning more tips and tricks every day.

 

Staging just doesn’t work—plain and simple.

Statistics support the fact that staged homes do sell quicker and for more money. Here are just a few resources:

·         National Association of Realtors

·         Real Estate Staging Association

·         HomeLight

Selling a home is stressful enough. Give yourself the best chance for success by investing the time and money to stage your home before listing.