In my last blog I addressed the question of “Why should I stage my house?” As a brief re-cap I have added a few points below:
Staging works!
· Buyers are looking for move-in-ready homes NOT projects and to do lists. Staging shows buyers exactly what the benefits are of a property.
· Staged homes look better in MLS pictures and therefore draw a larger group of potential buyers to view the home.
· Homes that have not been staged take 67% more time to sell than homes that have been staged.
· Staged homes sell for more money than non-staged homes.
· Staging can make you money, not cost you money.
Now that we are all up to speed on why staging works, let’s address the question of “I have decided to stage my house. Now what?”
First of all, congratulations! You have just made a great decision and taken the first step towards selling your home faster and for more money.
Now you need to hire a Stager. You are going to want to do some research to make sure that you are working with a qualified stager, someone professionally trained in the area of staging. Remember, staging isn’t just decorating and de-cluttering, so it’s important to ensure that the person you are working with knows real estate and the basics of home renovations as well. Be sure to ask for photos of their previous work as well as references.
Once you have decided on who you would like to work with, schedule a consultation. My consultations take approximately 2 hours. We discuss your timeline, your goals and your budget. After doing a thorough walk through of the property, you will receive a detailed list of items that need to be addressed prior to staging. I will then put together 2 to 3 quotes for staging that address all necessary items and keeps in line with your goals and budget.
After you have chosen which option works best for you, we can schedule your staging day!
This leads me to the next question I’d like to address…"How do I live in my house after it has been staged?" This is a great question and a big concern for anyone that has children and/or pets. But I think it’s a question better addressed next time.
As always, thanks for reading!
Christina Thurston
For more information about what The Staging Group can do for you, please visit them at http://www.thestaginggroup.ca/ or email Christina at christina@thestaginggroup.ca. You can also follow The Staging Group on Twitter @thestaginggroup and like them on Facebook.Don't forget that Christina is offering a FREE consultation to all my clients, provided they use her services, which is awesome!
Would you use a staging company to sell your home? Has this series made you more informed about staging and the whole process? Christina and I would love to hear your feedback!
