How Does Home Staging Increase Home Value?

Home staging is a growing real estate trend that prepares a home or condominium for sale in a manner that maximizes its appeal. This process has proven its value time and again, as staged homes usually sell more quickly, and at a higher price,than non-staged homes. Your real estate agent is well aware whom to call if a particular listing is lackluster.

How do stagers work their magic? They teach sellers to think of their home as a marketable commodity. The key is to make your home as generically appealing to as many potential purchasers as possible by helping them to imagine themselves living there.

In the same way that a personal makeover does, the key is to emphasize the positive and minimize the negative aspects. Staging is popular because it takes very little time and has proven to be extremely cost effective.

Very often, a real estate agent will suggest staging a home, because they know exactly what most buyers seek. No, you don’t need a pool or a Viking stove. To put prospects in a buying mood, your house or condominium must be as shipshape as a model home-or close to it.

Curb appeal is all-important. If a buyer sees unattractive piles of newspapers on the porch as they drive up, they may not even get out of their car. Buyers get tired of trooping from listing to listing, and seek a home that they can easily visualize themselves living in.

Many stagers claim that they can obtain a premium price for almost any house. It’s just a matter of motivating prospects with a few simple steps. The major attributes of effectively staged homes are:

• Scrupulously clean and odor free everywhere. Hire a cleaning service to power wash your front steps, front door, windows and everything that creates a first impression.  Air the place out daily. Paint your rooms with a neutral palette that   looks expensive. Don’t forget the front door.

• In good repair. The little things do matter. Leaky faucets won’t sell your house!

• Uncluttered, including outdoors, by pruning and eliminating excess greenery. Edit ruthlessly, removing bedroom and living room furniture and kitchen tables. Consider renting a few modern (small-scale) pieces. Remove paper clutter, plus any knick-knacks smaller than a basketball. Box up half of your book collection.

• Impersonal”no personal mementos on display. Store the bowling trophies and family photos out of sight.

• Bright, sunny and inviting. Switch to higher watt bulbs. Turn on all the lights, especially in hallways.

• A few tasteful touches, such as paintings and flowers. A stager can advise you.

• Don’t forget to have chocolate chip cookies baking when your showing begins.

What is the typical cost/return ratio of hiring a stager? The fee runs between $100-$150 per hour, and your pre-listing improvements could run another several thousand dollars. A recent Markham sale netted its owners almost 16% above their asking price in Canada’s booming and competitive market! Staged homes can sell as much as six times faster.

As part of his listing package, real estate agent Martin MacFarlane always includes a free staging consultation to maximize your home’s appeal and ensure your home sells quickly and for top dollar.  Whether you live in Markham, Stouffville, Unionville or any surrounding areas, be sure to give Martin a call before selling your home.

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