Staging Your Home: Smart Investment or Waste of Money?

According to a 2021 article by the National Association of Realtors, staging your home can increase your sale price by up to 20% AND can help the home sell more than 3x faster. *

 

Types of staging:

 

1) Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI staging is when your agent takes the professional photos of your home and digitally adds furniture and decor. Artificial Intelligence software has gotten very good at blending photos so that the staging looks almost authentic. AI can also help digitally remove clutter if needed (however, this isn’t ideal, because buyers will be let down when they see the home – and mess- in person)

         Usefulness: Vacant homes on a budget

 

2) Consulting: In a consulting situation, the interior designer will come to your home and coach you on how to stage dynamically using your own furniture. The stager may add a few select accent items or switch a few things out here or there. Remember – what is great for staging and selling is usually NOT the most practical arrangement for living in. 

           Usefulness: Vacation Homes, or homes that are gently lived in. 

 

3) Staging: Traditional staging is done in 2 steps: First, the interior designer tours the home and takes notes, deciding what furniture would bring out the home’s best features. Second, The moving truck arrives and the crew designs the space. Normally, community areas of the home, and master bedrooms are staged. Generally, extra bedrooms and storage areas are not staged.

             Usefulness:

                       Vacant Luxury Listings

                       Homes that have a mix of high and mid-range finishes. Staging will highlight the higher end features and downplay the mid-range ones.

                       Homes with Small or Unusual Spaces.

                       Dated or period homes – If your home is classic 1970’s style, instead of renovating, consider staging with furniture that ties the old and new together.

 

When NOT to use Staging: There are many situations in which staging is not practical. If you are listing the home and living there while working around kids, pets, elderly, medically compromised – it’s not a practical choice. If the home is a fixer – it’s not a practical choice.  If the home is a working farm, it’s probably not a good fit either. 

 

 Cost: Digitally staging a few photographs is generally free, and usually under $150 to digitally stage the entire house. Consulting starts at around $250, and then can have up-charges if you and the designer decide to add some additional accent pieces. Staging $2500 – $3500 (depending on listing value and square footage), and the furniture stays with the home for 30 days.  This time can be extended, but it usually isn’t necessary.

    The designer I like to use does not require the funds up front, but will bill them to closing and get paid when the home sells. 

 

Punchline- Will my home sell for MORE? Depends on the house. Sometimes, the home sells for more, and sometimes it just sells faster. Faster means you pay fewer mortgage payments and electric bills on a vacant house – which is also a big win in most cases. 

 

Here is a link to my favorite designer in the CDA/Spokane area. Follow her link to see some great Before/After photos!

 

*https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/styled-staged-sold/why-staging-matters-even-in-a-sellers-market