Advice For Staging An Empty House

House staging refers to physically preparing a home before it is listed for sale. The goal is to make it appealing to as many buyers as possible. You can stage your home yourself or hire a professional staging company. The goal is to create an inviting and welcoming environment that allows buyers to see the best aspects of the house without being distracted from the sellers' belongings.

Staging is more than decorating and furniture. It can also include minor repairs, decluttering, and deep cleaning, depending on the condition of your home.

An agent can help you decide if it is worth it and will recommend skilled stagers. You might be able to save money by having your furniture staged. If you don't have any experience with staging, an agent can help you market your home. 

What Is The Cost Of Staging A House?

Home staging costs vary depending on the size of your house and whether you are using staging furniture or your own. It is also essential to factor in the price of moving your belongings before staging. To declutter your space and remove personal items, you will need to move at least a third, even if you have your furniture. To help you make your decision, here are some average staging costs.

Full-Service Home Staging Costs

The Real Estate Staging Association states that consultation costs $200 to $525 for a 2,001-to 2,500-square foot home. On average, full vacant-home staging costs between $2,900 and $5,250.

Moving Your Belongings Within A Single City Is Expensive

For a 3-bedroom home, this can take anywhere from 7 to 10 hours and cost $560 - $1,000. If you move out of your house early, this could mean that you end up paying twice: once to move into your new place from your old one and then again to store your belongings.

Storage Unit Costs

A small unit can cost $50 per month, while a larger unit could cost $300-$400. In addition, some sellers choose to sell a pod instead of traditional storage units. This can run $150-300 per month plus delivery fees.

Different Levels Of Home Staging

There are many options for home staging, depending on how much money you have and how much time you have to prepare the house.

• Staging For Vacant Homes Or Full-Service

  Full-service staging allows professional stagers to bring in their furniture to furnish a home or add to the existing items. This is best for sellers who have moved out entirely or mainly. Sellers may need to move their most personal belongings into storage to allow professional staging.

  Some stagers will not work with sellers who live on the premises due to damage to their furniture.

• Live-In Home Staging

  This arrangement is becoming increasingly popular. The seller moves out, and a temporary tenant takes over. They bring their furniture and stage the home while they live there. The tenant takes care of everything, cleans up thoroughly, and makes the home welcoming and comfortable before showings.

  This arrangement is most common for high-end properties or vacation homes, as the seller may not manage the house's maintenance. The tenant usually pays a lower rent in exchange for their labor, and the staging company cuts the sale price.

• Partially Staging A Home

  A professional stager can be hired to help with partial home staging. They can help the seller make changes, arrange furniture and other decorative items, or even stage one room. This situation could be where the seller is still living in the house but has moved out or is in the process of decluttering and packing.

• Virtual Home Staging

  Virtual home staging is where the seller hires an expert to do the staging for the listing photos. This service is ideal for sellers who have already moved out but don't want to spend the time and money on bringing back furniture or decor.

• DIY Home Staging

  This home staging type is straightforward and entirely up to the seller. This usually involves cleaning, decluttering, organizing furniture, and making small changes such as new hardware or decor. The seller will usually still be living in the house and use their furnishings for staging.

• There Is No Staging -- Only Cleaning And Polishing

  Some sellers will not stage furniture or decor if they have a tight budget. Instead, they focus on the house itself: deep cleaning, repairs, and landscaping.

Are Staged Homes More Successful?

In most markets, staged or partially staged houses sell quicker than unstaged ones. Staging can help buyers envision how the living space of a home will look with today's open-concept layouts. Staging can be a helpful tool to help buyers visualize a functional design if they only see a big, empty living area.

The Real Estate Staging Association states that unstaged homes typically spend 184 days before they sell. On the other hand, homes staged before listing sold in 23 days, which is eight times faster than homes that were not produced.

You risk this if you don't stage and leave your home empty.

• Buyers are more likely to notice defects in homes.

• It can be cold and uninviting to live at home.

• The possibility of property being broken into could make it more vulnerable.

• Sellers might seem overly eager to sell.

Do You Need Home Staging?

If you are still living in your home and want to know if staging is possible, talk with your agent as well as a professional stager. Talk about logistics, staging fees, and how to maximize your return on investment in your local market.

While home staging can help you present your home in the best light, it is not always necessary. This is especially true if your home has modern furniture and is clutter-free. Unfortunately, many sellers find that decluttering can be a significant obstacle.

You may have limited funds to prepare your home for sale. Take inventory of the home's needs and make any necessary home improvements that buyers might be interested in. You can save money by updating your countertops, tiles, fixtures, and paint. Repairs can also be done to prevent any problems that may arise during a house inspection.

Home Staging Has Many Advantages

• Modern Appeal

  Stagers are experts in home staging trends. They can bring trendy, fashionable furnishings to make any home look modern.

• Depersonalization

  Stagers will not allow you to use your personal items such as photos or keepsakes that could interfere with buyers' ability to visualize themselves in the space.

• Neutral Design

  Your style can be a problem for buyers if you have very particular design preferences. However, home staging companies make sure that furniture and decor appeal to a broad range of people.

• Cleanliness

  You can deep clean every corner and crevice by clearing everything and starting over. This can help get rid of certain smells, such as those from pets, which can persist in rugs, couches, and heavy curtains.

• Better Layout

  The stager will need a blank canvas to create the layout that is most suitable for your home.

• There Is Less Stress To Be Done Before You Close

  You won't need to pack last-minute items before the closing day because your stuff is already moved.

• A Spacious Feel

  Home stagers often bring fewer items than homeowners so that spaces can appear larger and more spacious, especially in closets and pantries.

• Better Listing Photos

  Many buyers browse home listings online. It's therefore essential to ensure that your real property photos and virtual tours are high-quality. In addition, buyers will be more inclined to schedule showings if the home is well-staged.

Home Staging's Disadvantages

• Generic Appeal

  You can stage a home with a similar style and look, so it might not look the same to someone with a more eclectic taste.

• Slows Down The Movement

  If you already have a lot of things to do, it can take time to find a professional stager to stage your home and then destage it after you get an offer.

• Home Staging Costs

  Staging is expensive. It's something you will have to do before closing and before you can take any of your profit. It can be challenging to swallow another expense if you don't expect to make a lot of money from the sale of your house.

• It Isn't Easy To Visualize

  A blank slate can help buyers visualize their lives in a house.

  You should be able to make an informed decision about your home's sale if you have received professional advice from your agent regarding the potential impact of staging in your area.