The housing market has slowed, and more listings are competing for “off-season” buyers.
That’s why it is critical to present your home in the best light possible. Staging is probably the most cost-effective way to attract more buyers. Research has shown that staged homes sell quicker and for more money.
When it comes to staging you have 3 options:
Do It Yourself
You can “stage” your home yourself. It’s easy to do if you are still living in the house.
When we meet to preview your home before you list, I can give you room-by-room recommendations on how to de-clutter, de-personalize, and re-arrange furniture.
In some cases, you may need to hire a professional stager for a consultation.
The cost: $200 to $300.
Hire a Full-Service Professional Stager
Vacant homes are hard to sell. The typical buyer can’t visualize how rooms would look like when they are furnished. Instead, they focus their attention on tiny imperfections rather than seeing the big picture.
Perfectly staged and decorated, your listing will display like a model home. It will be easy for buyers to imagine themselves living there. That’s exactly what you are looking for, because everyone buys on emotion.
Virtual Staging
Pictures of vacant rooms are not appealing to buyers.
When you virtually stage a property, you place furniture and decorations in the photographs of vacant rooms. This helps buyers imagine how a room could look like. It will attract more buyers to attend open houses and request showings.
Virtual staging is a cost-effective alternative to full professional staging. However, buyers will still walk through vacant rooms when they tour your house.
The cost per image is $35 to $65.
Here’s a sample of a virtually staged listing by Eileen Pilcher of a Historic home on 72 E. North Street in Worthington.