Although it is definitely a seller’s market right now, that doesn’t mean it's unimportant for your home to show well. Your listing agent will provide you with some guidance regarding removing clutter and personal effects prior to listing your home, but you may still want to consider staging it as well.
Benefits of Home Staging
Home staging provides many benefits. The biggest is that staged homes sell faster, 73% faster on average according to the Real Estate Staging Association. Another benefit is related to the way your home shows online. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reports that 95% of buyers start their home search online, so presenting a great first impression is essential. Finally, staged homes often sell for more than their non-staged comparable homes according to a 2017 NAR survey.
When You Might Want to Hire a Staging Company
There are many reasons to consider staging your home. Sometimes your home will greatly benefit from staging. For instance, let’s assume you need to move quickly and need to pack up your belongings and leave an empty home. Although empty homes may seem ideal because it’s a blank canvas, this often creates a disconnect for buyers who have a hard time gauging the size of a room when there’s not a bed or couch in it.
If you're planning on staying in the home while it is on the market, a stager can remove the items that contribute to a cluttered feel in order to make your space feel bigger. They can also arrange your furnishings or bring in some of their own so the flow of the home feels more comfortable and universal. As they are experts in their field, they are usually able to identify and address aesthetic challenges, especially as they are able to view the home with a fresh perspective.
If your home has already been on the market for more than 30 days, it may be even more important to call a staging company. They can de-clutter and provide the right size furniture that will help your home look better to a prospective buyer.
Is it Worth the Investment?
Home staging costs range from $500 up to thousands of dollars. It depends on how much of their furnishings and décor the staging professional needs to bring in and the size of the home. For most, home staging is a small investment of about $1,000. And, if your home sells faster, that’s less interest you’re paying, especially if you’ve already moved. If the home sells for more than other comparable-listed homes, then you’ll likely easily make up that small investment.
If you need a Realtor® to sell your home in Tampa Bay, call Jason Duraj at (813) 992-7771. His team at Future Home Realty can help you sell your home and find the perfect new one. Although we can make recommendations about décor and decluttering, we can also refer you to one of the staging companies with whom we regularly work.
