Do you think a staged home sells faster?

Profile picture for Gary L White
Recent studies show that stages homes sell on average for 5 to 8% more and in less time. What do you think about stagng?  Would you use a staging specialist if you knew it would benefit you?
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January 02 2009 - Grand Rapids
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Answers (16)

Profile picture for Frank J Festa
Gary: I believe it's Location and Price. Regards,
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February 14 2010
Profile picture for An OrderLee Home
That is interesting, Phyllis. Three times now I have visited houses that I thought would sell without any customized marketing (staging).  In each case, I suggested the owners list the house and call me in a week if they were being shown but had not received an offer.  Each of those properties went under contract in a few days.  Of course, I have also dealt with several houses where the price was right, and the house was being shown, but the way the house looked did seem to drive buyers away.  In those cases, putting furniture in the vacants, and doing some massive decluttering/cleaning/rearranging helped prove the price was reasonable.

Case by case basis, I guess.  Just like real life.
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February 14 2010
In San Mateo Ca October 2009 a home was priced right 729,000.in a great area (not staged) had 11 offers within a week, sold for 801,000.

Staging is a great tool, I highly recommend it, however, price it right and they will come.
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February 13 2010
Profile picture for Showhomes Michigan
Showhomes began in 1986 with Bank Foreclosures.  Showhomes still stages quite a few bank owned homes throughout the U.S.  They find that by utilizing our home manager program they don't have as many overhead expenses and they're quite pleased that their home stays in show-to-sell condition from 9-7 every day. The money that the bank saves by utilizing our services far outweighs the cost of our services.  Furthermore, because Showhomes is America's largest staging company we have a state-of-the art insurance policy that is one of a kind.  Every home that we have in our program has coverage of $2M liablity and property damage.  On top of that, our home managers carry a $500K liability policy.  So, unlike any other staging company, the bank or any other home owner can rest assured when they utilize Showhomes that their home will be taken care of, their holding costs will be reduced (we pay utilities and sometimes lawn care), and their house will sell for more money. . . faster because it is professionally staged.  So, more banks should be staging.  They just need to call the right stagers . . . Showhomes!!!
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February 13 2010
Profile picture for L Strasberg
Banks don't stage too many homes
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February 12 2010
Profile picture for ZetaCross
I can't believe that every seller does not stage! If I have to, I bring in furniture and accessories myself because staging works! It is a no brainer. I give my sellers a free consultation with my stager and still they are very reluctant to stage. I keep evangelizing because sellers are still reluctant to stage.
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February 12 2010
Profile picture for Showhomes Michigan
Yes it most certainly does!  Showhomes is America's Largest home staging company.  We've been in business since 1986 and have helped over 25,000 home owners sell more than $8 Billion in real estate.  In this down market, Showhomes has had great success in helping people sell houses that have been on the market for a very long time, quick!  and for more money. 

Please take the opportunity to check us out.  Our services are unique.  We offer staging with and without a home manager.  Our home manager program helps to reduce the cost of the home staging for the home owner and keeps the house in show-to-sell condition for the home owner and their real estate agent 7 days a week with a very short showing notice. 

Our national website can be viewed at [link removed by moderator].  If you hire a staging company that is reputable and has a proven system -- you can't go wrong.  We help home owners across the nation every day. Let us help you!
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February 11 2010
Profile picture for Gary L White
Hi NTETS:

As "Recent" 2008 increasing a price normally prices a home out of the market...so that won't work in our market.  Waiting for nibbles means you don't have a seller...you have a "sell if I get my price"!

Studies have shown over and over...google staging and you will find your answers.

Thanks...an no I won't fire for smoking but...they have to go outside.  People have choices!
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February 13 2009
Profile picture for Jay Seier
It has been my experience that they do and I have had listings sit on the market for 30 days with no action, then have pulled it off for a couple of days to be staged and we had an offer within a week.

That tells me it works. It's not needed on all homes but it definitely helps on vacant houses and getting them gone faster.
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February 13 2009
Profile picture for Mr Caveat
"recent" as in 2006 when you got to tack it on to the sale price and got a offer above asking anyway? or "recent" as in 2009 where people dont even look at the home, they just offer listing -20% and wait for nibbles?

were these studies conducted in CA? FL? AZ? NV? my point of course is that "studies have shown a correlation between smoking and being a bad employee" so would you fire all of the agents from your office who smoked if you were the broker?

that said, i am not saying i disagree 100%, if you stage it right you can appeal to emotional centers of the brain that strait lines and natural lighting just cant access all by itself.
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February 13 2009
Profile picture for Maureen Francis _MI_
We like to have our listings staged if we think it will help.  Have even staged vacant REO listings. 

I don't know that it adds 8%, but that would be great if it did!

I have a stager who we work with regularly and she saves me on all kinds of things.
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February 13 2009
Profile picture for Resasaurus
We sold a house in a flat market in an "improving" part of town for much more than we paid for it, in under a month.  Part of our success was definitely due to careful staging.  Beware the folks that insist that you have to paint every surface white or beige, though.  If the walls are clean, fresh and not some quirky shade like lime green, you'll probably be fine.
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January 02 2009
Profile picture for CulverCityRealtor
Yes, I most certainly do.
 If you can afford to hire a home staging expert, they will be able to present your home in the best possible light. Your home is likely to sell faster and for more money staged.
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January 02 2009
Profile picture for sunnyview
Yes I might consider hiring a professional, especially in a tight market. I think tasteful staging is great along with a deep cleaning to help sell almost any house faster. I think many folks can do it themselves, but if the staging fee is reasonable hiring a professional can also benefit sellers who do not have the time or energy to do it. A nice looking clean house will sell faster even if it doesn't sell for more in the end.
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January 02 2009
Proper "staging" absolutely helps a home sell faster and for more money. New home builders spend tens of thousands of dollars making sure a home appeals to the emotions of a buyer. Space is maximized, the home isn't cluttered, the furniture fits the room, the colors are generally neutral, etc.  Buyers absolutely buy their homes with emotion, and staging helps a home by making a home more comfortable during  showings and showing off a homes best qualities. 
Having said that, staging doesn't have to cost a lot of money. The basics would be to neutralize the colors, de-personalize, de-clutter, and do a great job cleaning your home. Treat your home like a car you're about to trade in! 
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January 02 2009
Profile picture for CubsfaninWA
I don't know about staging, but I think a good cleaning, specially the homes that are REO's aid in sales.
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January 02 2009
 

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