Home Staging: Is It Worth The Cost?

Soft gray bedding with a hint of blue, an area rug with a gorgeous geometric design pattern, an eye-catching vase with colorful peonies … if you have watched a home renovation show, those gorgeous designs are the work of home staging.

But what exactly is home staging and is it really worth it when you are selling your home?

What Is Home Staging?

Home staging is the act of decorating a room or several rooms of your home to convey an emotional connection for a potential buyer, ideally resulting in a buyer to quickly present an offer on your home.

The Advantages

Get top dollar for your home: According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2021 survey on home staging, buyers’ agents reported 1%-5% increase on the dollar value of staged homes compared to homes not staged.

Staged homes sell quickly: The same study also revealed 22% of sellers’ agents reported staged homes spent less time on the market than homes not staged.

Reduce the stress of moving: When you hire a home stager, you don’t have to worry about how to fix every flaw in your home. Stagers coordinate with painters, contractors, and house cleaners as needed.

Ability for a buyer to imagine themselves living in a new home: Personal effects, such as family photos, artwork on the refrigerator, or toiletries on a bathroom counter are removed, resulting in a home that looks comfortable and inviting without conveying the feeling that you are in someone else’s home.

Impact of TV shows: Who wouldn’t want to live in a bright, clean, and organized home? Buyers are interested in a Pinterest-worthy home compared to a home that has perhaps not been updated since the current owners moved in … in 1996. Home staging can mimic the appearance of renovated homes seen on TV.

The Disadvantages

Costs: In 2020, realtor.com reported initial consultations with a home stager can range from $300 to $600 with monthly costs averaging $500 to $600 per room. It is possible to find less expensive stagers based on where you live, the size of your home, and how much of the house you need to stage.

Where to store excess items: In order to create a spacious room, all of your excess stuff needs to go somewhere. If you cannot part with that bean bag or your grandmother’s dining room set, you will have to pay storage facility fees.

Flaws are visible: Clutter may have covered up stains and holes, which now need to be repaired, another additional cost.

Living in a staged home: Until your home sells, you have to maintain the upkeep of your newly elegant home, which can be difficult especially when you live with small children or pets.

Conclusion

Home staging is proven effective, but the costs can accumulate. If finances are an issue, try a few home- staging tricks on your own:

Deep clean your house: Have the entire house, including carpet, professionally cleaned.

Fix flaws: Repair cracks and paint the walls if needed.

Declutter: Remove all personal effects and excess furniture; you should be able to comfortably move from one room to another.

With a little work, you can transform your home into an in-demand home.