To stage or not to stage? Does it pay off?
Staging a home is an increasingly common step in the process of reselling a property, whether you have renovated it or it is your own personal residence.
This practice involves strategically arranging furniture, decor, and other elements to enhance the appeal of the space to potential buyers. By staging a home, you are essentially creating a visual narrative that showcases the property's potential and helps prospective buyers envision themselves living in the space.
Effective home staging goes beyond just making the property look nice; it is about creating an atmosphere that is inviting, welcoming, and neutral enough to appeal to a wide range of tastes. This often involves decluttering, depersonalizing, and highlighting the key features of the home. Through the use of furniture placement, lighting, color schemes, and decor, a staged home can create a sense of flow and harmony that resonates with buyers.
But, is staging worth the time and money spent to bring in furnishings and decor? What do you do with them after the property sells?
Proper staging can help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space, making it more appealing and increasing the likelihood of a successful sale. According to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), 75% of sellers who invest 1% of their home's sale price in staging see a return of 5–15% over the asking price. A 2023 National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey found that 20% of agents said staging increased a home's value.
After the property sells, there are several options for what to do with the staged furnishings and decor. Some sellers choose to sell the items along with the property, offering them as part of the package deal. Others may opt to keep the items for personal use or sell them separately to recoup some of the staging costs. Alternatively, some sellers donate the furnishings to charity or rent them out for future staging projects.
Ultimately, the decision on what to do with the staged items post-sale will depend on individual circumstances and preferences. However, the benefits of staging in terms of attracting buyers and maximizing the property's appeal make it a worthwhile investment for many sellers in the competitive real estate market.
Investing time and effort into staging a home can significantly impact its marketability and potentially lead to a quicker sale at a higher price. It is a valuable tool that can make a lasting impression on buyers and set your property apart from the competition in a crowded real estate market.
