Frequently Asked Questions
Home Staging Basics
What is home staging?
Home Staging is the art of preparing properties to make it appeal to the largest amount of buyers. It actually is one of the only pre-sale marketing items you can do to add value. Remember once your home is on the market, it becomes a product and we all know to sell a product… you must merchandise it. Think of it like this: If you were going to sell your car, you would wash it, detail it, and remove all trash. Home staging is so much more than this. It creates a measurable and marketable change in the perceived value of a home. Homes are sold on emotion, perceived value speaks directly to emotion.
How long does staging take?
Once the property prep stage has been completed, we can usually stage your home in 1-2 days, depending on the size of your home. If you need accessories, we will need to plan ahead. Some furniture rentals could take up to 1-2 weeks. We will discuss all of this during your consultation.
What’s the difference between staging and decorating?
Decorating expresses the homeowner’s personal tastes and costs you money. Staging focuses on the buyer and makes you money. Buyers must be able to see past your belongings so they can imagine themselves living there.
My home has already been on the market for awhile. Is it too late to have it staged?
Until the property sells, it’s not too late for staging. We do recommend taking it off the market during the staging process so when it re-enters the market, it will be marketability different. The best results from staging however are obtained when the home is staged before listings or showings.
When is the best time to stage my home?
You should stage your home before listing it on the MLS. Your property is never more valuable than the first day it is on the market. Once your home has been staged, you will have strong marketing photos online. According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 90% of potential home buyers now start their search for a new home on the internet (NAR). Strong photos bring more potential buyers to come and tour the property. The first open house usually generates the most interest and has the most showings. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
Consultations
What is a consultation?
It is our first date! Most of our services start with an in-depth consultation. We will come to the property, walk through each space and make in-depth recommendations for you to prepare the property for the strong marketing photos. It could include anything from new paint, editing your space, furniture placement so you can showcase the great features in each space, or new lighting because lighting is so crucial. We do not judge or make you feel inferior about your decorating style, we are there to make you money.
What if I can’t do everything you recommend?
No worries, we will work with you and meet you where you are in terms of time frame, budget and ability. Before we leave, you will have a top 10 priority list and a complete roadmap of how to get started. We can always come back and help with anything you are not able to do.
How much does a consultation cost?
Good question, now you are thinking about the power of presenting your property the strongest possible. See our services page which outlines all cost associated with consultations.
Occupied Staging
What is an Occupied staging?
An occupied staging is a staging when the homeowners still live in the house. It will start with a staging consultation. There are 2 types of occupied stagings and both start with the consultation.
Photo prep staging: You have completed your homework recommended in the consultation and then we come in and use only your furnishings, art, accessories to put the final touches in each room just before your marketing photo shoot.
Enhanced staging: After your homework is completed, our team will return and first “shop” your house searching for just the right piece of artwork or other accessory needed to properly stage each room. We also may need to bring in additional items like greenery, pillows, art and accessories so we can have your home presented as strong as possible for photos and showings.
We focus on the demographics (who is the most likely buyer) and the psychographics (how the most likely buyer will want to live in the home) When preparing your home for the photos, every detail can make a difference.
How much do Occupied stagings cost?
Great question, I am going to refer you to our services page where it details the cost of all of these services.
How can I live in a home that has been staged?
You might think this is hard….but guess what, it is actually easier because during the preparation we have identified everything you own has a specific spot to keep it in. And you have already pre-packed a lot of the smaller details. Yes you will need to make your bed everyday before you leave in the morning, make sure the bathrooms are sparkling clean and everything is removed from the kitchen countertops, except the pops of color or emotional connection vignettes we have staged, but the good news is, a professionally staged home spends 90% less time on the market so it won’t be long before you are moving to your new home.
Isn’t staging only for luxury homes?
Not long ago, people did only think staging was for the wealthy and luxury homes. Thanks to HGTV, even the common folk is expecting staging when touring properties for sale. Now in fact, staging is important for every price point. Staging creates a measurable and marketable change in the perceived value of a home, any home. If a property has been professionally staged, a potential buyer can walk in, immediately see all the great features of the home, and then can imagine themselves living in the home. This is what it takes for buyers to make an offer.
Vacant Staging
What is included when you stage my vacant home?
Based on your budget, we bring everything needed to create an emotional connection to potential buyers. Items include furniture, art, accessories, greens, pillows and throws. Yes these are things that make a house feel like a home. Also included in your staging will be the labor and staff to complete the staging, the moving team to deliver and pick up the items.
Do we have to stage the whole home?
The most important rooms to stage are the Entry, Living Room, Kitchen, Dining Room, Family Room (if the home has one), Master Bedroom & Master Bath. These are the money rooms that potential buyers focus on. Also if there is an area or space that is not clearly defined, we recommend staging it as well. Many buyers today are working from home, so we like to stage a home office somewhere in the property.