With the recent proliferation of TV reality shows about home staging,  I suspect that many sellers believe that these shows portray what home stagers do....which is often not the case.  So, what does a home stager REALLY do?

A well trained home stager does NOT go into a client's home and ...

1.    I can’t afford it!

Recent statistics from HomeGain show that you would get at least 300% return on your investment.  Can you afford NOT to stage?

2.    I don’t need it!

Even homes that are nicely decorated by a professional will need ...

As a typical potential home buyer, would I buy YOUR home?

I’m a typical potential home buyer, but would I buy YOUR home?  

I am like most home buyers and have to connect emotionally.…I want to ‘feel’ the “Ahhh, I would sooooo love ...

1.  The house needs to be clean, clean, ...

This is a quirky downtown home that was basically a bachelor pad.  Using some rental furniture and my accessories, I staged  it to suit young professionals.   It received a conditional offer in two days.                       

                                                   Master bedroom BEFORE

                                                        Master bedroom AFTER

Many home sellers AND real estate professionals are often confused/misinformed or just uninformed about the importance/value/cost of staging homes for the market. Here are a few more myths/facts to ponder when it comes to selling real estate.

MYTH:
A HOUSE ON THE MARKET SHOULD BE DEPERSONALIZED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

FACT:
Yes, a home should be de-personalized to a point, but not so much that it becomes impersonal and sterile.  It still has to appeal to the emotions of the potential buyers.

Misconceptions abound among home sellers and real estate professionals about the value/cost/importance of staging homes to sell. Do you know the FACTS?
 
MYTH #1 
 
My house is beautifully decorated so it will sell quickly and for top dollar.

FACT

It may be decorated very nicely… but in YOUR taste and style. It is quite likely your style/decor will not appeal to the broadest range of potential buyers. Buyers’ tastes are so varied it is better to start with a neutral palette and work from there.
 
 MYTH #2

  It is better to sell my house vacant because it looks roomier in the buyers’ eyes.
 
FACT
Most buyers are more confused by empty homes because they have difficulty visualizing how the home could look with furniture…’Would my sofa fit here? Not sure my bed will fit in this bedroom.” Take all doubt from their mind… SHOW them. 
  
 MYTH #3 

 I cannot afford to stage my home to sell.
 
FACT
You cannot afford NOT to stage your home. Staging brings back a 300% ROI according to HomeGain’s latest statistics. Statistics also show that staged homes sell in half the time and for 6-17% more money than comparable unstaged homes.  
  
 MYTH #4

I do not need a stager, I  can do it myself.
     
FACT
 Some people may be able to stage their home effectively, but MOST sellers cannot have an objective eye about their own home. A stager has no emotional attachment and can  view the house as a commodity that needs to be sold as quickly as possible for as much money as possible.
  
 MYTH #5

The interior of a house is more  important than the exterior.

FACT
 Curb appeal is HUGE. Did you know that most buyers will do a drive-by before even contacting the realtor/owner? What they see outside will either entice them to look inside or cause them to drive on to the next home.
 
                                                       
If you are thinking of selling your home, or if your home is already on the market, call us!  We can help sell your home quickly and for top dollar.

http://www.homestylingbycathy.com
info@homestylingbycathy.com
            (709) 341-7115