Why should I use home staging?

All Real Estate professionals should use home staging

The most common but misguided statement that I hear from Realtors^® is that home staging is something that is only done as a last resort when a property is not selling. Although staging does give a new look to a property that is being overlooked by buyers, the true goal of staging a property is to help you sell your client's homes faster and for top dollar. Educating your clients about the benefits of home staging before you begin marketing the property will give you an advantage over other agents who either do not know about or do not understand the value home staging gives to a listing.

Many agents just refer their clients to home stagers, in much the same way as you would recommend a home inspector or real estate lawyer. Some agents include an initial consultation with a Home Stager on their high end listings; others may reimburse the seller for a portion of the fees after the listing has sold.

Home staging will also help you to grow your business through the referrals you gain from satisfied clients. When you introduce home staging as part of your marketing plan and ensure that your client's home is prepared for sale before you put it on the market, your listings will sell faster. When you can get your client more money than similar homes in their area, clients will definitely recommend you to other sellers.

Home staging gives you a unique advantage that will distinguish your listings and reassure your clients of a successful sale. Home staging will be your means of generating more listings, referrals and sales.

Home staging in a Hot Market

While it is true that in a hot or sellers market (i.e. 1 home to 10 buyers) it seems like all you have to do is place a 'for sale' sign on the lawn and the house will sell. However, you know that not all properties sell fast; there are always those listings that seem to stall while everything else sells.

Home staging will help you get multiple buyers interested and we all know that a bidding war is always a good thing when it comes to selling homes.

Home staging in a Cool Market

In a cool or buyers market (i.e. 10 homes to 1 buyer) you know you have to work harder to turn your listings. Anything you can do get a competitive edge over similar houses for sale in the area will make your job easier and make you look good to current and prospective clients and your fellow agents.

Home staging will ensure that your client's property stands out from the numerous homes that the buyer has looked at, giving your listing the advantage.

What Staged Productions can do for you, the Realtor^®

Staged Productions will tackle the sensitive topics so you do not have to.

You probably know what it's like to have what seems like an immovable listing and to have to play the 'bad guy' by telling a client that their home does not show well.

We will tactfully address issues you may not feel comfortable discussing with your clients; like strong or offensive odour problems, unattractive decor, overbearing clutter, etc. Where couples do not agree, we will be the objective third party so you do not have to appear to be choosing sides.

Staged Productions will free up your time.

It is natural for you to suggest evident repairs, cleaning and de-cluttering that need to be done but every hour you spend inside one of your listings discussing how to improve it for sale, is another hour you are not spending marketing the property or getting another listing.

We will spend the time to create a detailed list of everything that should be done and then prioritize it with the client.

Staged Productions will reduce your stress.

We take over the worry of preparing a home for your photography and open house; all you have to do is open the door and everything else will be in place.

Staged Productions staged homes show beautifully and will reflect well on you.

If your listings show well it reflects well on your professionalism and helps your clients sell more quickly and for a higher dollar.

Staged Productions will get your listings turned more quickly and at higher prices

Most importantly, staging your listings will increase your sales. Homes that have been staged not only sell faster than non-staged homes, but also sell for more money.

Home staging by Staged Productions makes your job easier and lets you focus on what you are good at; getting and selling your listings!

What Staged Productions does NOT do

Staged Productions does NOT advertise with signs on the client's property or brochures laid out during an open house.

One of the main steps in home staging is de-cluttering so we definitely believe that one lawn sign is more than enough.

It is not necessary to say "This home couldn't sell on its own; so someone else decorated it."

We truly believe that you, the Realtor^®, and the home owner will be our best advertising.

How much does Home staging cost?

Home staging will cost less than the first list price reduction that a non-staged home usually goes thru.

Generally, the cost can range from a few hundred dollars, for an initial consultation and detailed plan, to thousands of dollars, for furnishing an entire home. It completely depends on:

the square footage and state of repair of the home

how much of the work your client is willing to do themselves

the price point of the home

For example, it costs more to furnish a 1.3 million dollar home than a $300,000 home, because of the square footage and the quality of furnishings that would be required to fit the home's target market.

Staged Productions charges a flat fee for the initial consultation; which includes a detailed review of every room in the house, prioritization of the actions required and examples of the vision that we see for your client's home. We also have an hourly rate that is charged for all additional time that they want to invest with us; Open House preparation, de-cluttering, re-arranging furniture, etc. Click here to request more details.

A small investment in home staging with Staged Productions can have a considerable financial return.

Links to a few media articles on Home Staging:

chatelaine - Smart Guide: fluff your house for resale

Canadian Business Online - Winning the real estate war: 10 tips from home stagers

Globe and Mail - Gnome-free zone

Home Staging - House Staging - What are the benefits?

OC Register - Retooling for a slow housing market

Property Sold - Home Staging Tips to Help Your Home Sell in a Slow

Royal LePage - Image is Everything: Creating a Positive First Impression is Key to Selling Your Home