Home Staging Benefits

Once a buyer decides to view the home, the first impression must make a huge impact. It’s the one that counts! If the prospective buyer is not compelled to actually get out of their vehicle and walk up to the front door, then it doesn’t matter how much potential the home has.

If you are or have been in the middle a do-it-yourself project, then it is definitely time to finish it up prior to listing your home. Potential buyers do not want to see projects in progress when they start viewing your home. This applies to both indoor and outdoor projects. Curb appeal is a much used term, but the importance is paramount.

Hiring a staging professional is a wise and stress free option. A home stager works at bringing out the maximum value possible in the home. Using a combination of your personal belongings and/or bringing in furnishings and accessories, home staging will best showcase your home’s possibilities.

Generally speaking, the cost of a home staging service is almost always less than the initial price reduction of an unsold, listed property. Living Design Home Staging servicing the San Diego and surrounding area, offers a wide variety of services with the goal of turning a “house hunter into a home buyer.”

Staging has been on the rise in recent years with statistics to back up its effectiveness. National statistics show that staged homes generally sell in ½ the time of unstaged homes. Also, according to a survey published by Home Staging Resources in 2007, “the cost of professional home staging can garner a 343% return on investment in terms of increase in sales prices. Furthermore, 91% of real estate agents nationwide now recommend this service. These numbers are both up from the same survey in 2003 when the return on investment was estimated at 169% with a 76% agent recommendation rate. In fact, the only category that received a higher return on investment is “Clean and De-clutter” due to the fact that the cost involved is so minimal.”

The payoff can truly be great. At Living Design Home Staging, we are credited with transforming a number of homes that have sold quickly. Recently a vacant home sold within three weeks after it was staged – it had been sitting on the market for almost a year. Another home was staged to live in and went into escrow within one month after the staging was completed.

Small changes can make all the difference, especially when positioning your home as the best deal in your neighborhood in that price range. When buyers leave your home and property with a memorable impression of it, your chances of selling at the best possible price in the shortest amount of time greatly improves. In the current competitive market proactive and creative marketing of your property is the best and step for a successful property sale.

What is Home Staging?

• Home staging is anything that will help the home seller make a home more look more attractive and appealing to potential buyers.
• Professional stagers typically start off with an in-home consultation. The price will depend on the condition and size of the home, and will also take the scope of work into account.
• Home stagers will stage with furniture and accessories found in the home or can bring in furniture, artwork and accessories to make a house look its best while on the market.
• When sellers want to use their own furnishings, the home stager will make certain recommendations that can enhance the spaces. Reducing clutter and opening up the rooms is vital to a successful listing.
• Some stagers offer contractor-consulting services. These include recommendations and solutions and pertain to choosing paints, tiles, carpets and any other project that needs attention. A good home stager will have a list of reputable resources, vendors and contractors that can work to get the house ready.
• Homeowners on a strict budget could opt to stage themselves. This do-it-yourself staging option still uses the services of the home stager on a consultation basis. You would use the professional stager to get a list of items to help make your home more appealing to potential buyers.
• Staging can take anything from a day to a few weeks, depending on the scope of work required. However, the final staging event is usually about a day when the home gets it “WOW” affect.

Staging Tips

• De-clutter: Clear all rooms of extra items that don’t belong nor adds to its décor.
• This includes pictures, piled-up mail and accessories. Children’s toys should be stored away.
• Light: Open windows and blinds (window treatments) to allow natural light to come into the room.
• Deodorize: Especially when there are pets in the house. Get rid of any pet odors or any other smells that could turn a potential buyer away.
• Neutralize: Go for the neutral colors when painting walls. While bolder colors often work well, these colors might not win over buyers.
• Accessorize: Without cluttering and over doing it, accessorize where you can with tasteful and well placed accessories. Fresh fruit in a bowl, a simple and attractive place setting at the table, new towels in the bathrooms and trendy pillows on sofas and chairs are great ways to make a room look more alive.