Does Staging Help Sell a Property?
Not every realtor is a fan of staging. Some think during a sellers’ market they can put out a “for sale” sign for properties under $300,000 and expect a sale soon. Not likely. Condos take longer to sell than houses. It also depends upon the location and amenities.
An analogy: suppose a cashier offers you $1 bill in change that is new and crisp, OR a $1 that is written on and crumpled up. Which one would you choose to put in your wallet?
“Staging is a strategic marketing tool designed to show a property in its best possible light. Professional stagers and many realtors believe in the power of this technique no matter the market — potential buyers can see all the possibilities and sellers can get top-dollar and a quicker sale.
According to the Real Estate Staging Association, professionally listed staged properties simply look better; spend 73 percent less time on the market; typically sell for more money; end up on buyers’ “must see” lists; are viewed as “well-maintained;” and have fewer concessions requested of the seller.” According to The Los Angeles Daily News: The truth behind staging: will it help you sell your house faster, at a better price?
So, what could be done in this condo? De-clutter, clean, and re-position furniture. Even though the homeowner said a lot of items were already removed, there was still more to box up, donate, or sell. Home staging is done after the boxing up and cleaning has been completed. The homeowner has the responsibility to make an effort to do their part if they truly want to sell. This condo has been sitting on the market for 4 months. There have been showings, but it’s just too hard for prospective buyers to see past the clutter.
Basement
The large sectional acted like a barrier. We removed the corner piece so the focal point, the fireplace, was more visible. Someone might want to put a TV above the fireplace, but if not, there are other walls that will work for the TV. The tall bookshelves were placed on adjacent walls, making a corner unit. If you break up bookshelves, they don’t look so heavy.
Living Room
This is a nice-sized living room, but there was just too many pieces of furniture in it. It was difficult to get to the patio door. Angling the sofa might be a good idea in some rooms, but not in this one. We removed a chair and two end tables, and re-oriented the colorful area rug.
Dining Room
We put the table and chairs back in their normal dining room position. The homeowner will hire movers to take out the items no longer needed. After these items are gone, potential buyers will have a much better idea of the size and scale of each room.
Time to Sell
It is so important to take new photos of this property after the homeowner finishes boxing up and removing items. There are many resources to help with organizing, de-cluttering, packing, and moving items. The homeowner needs to work with the realtor to get the property in the best condition possible. That might mean emotionally detaching from it and looking treating it as commodity rather than your home.
“A house that “shows” well and is priced well will sell, and sell quickly, according to the experts. And timing can be everything. First impressions count, even from the moment a potential buyer drives up to a house. When a house first goes on the market, it usually receives a lot of interest from real estate agents and the buying public. Once that first wave of interest passes, time can become an enemy for a seller.”
Premiere Home Stagers is your resource. 608-345-9396