The Cost
of NOT Staging a Home
Inevitably,
the first question I am asked by Realtors and home owners is "What
does staging cost?" I know the answer they are looking for is the
dollars and cents amount of staging services. But, the answer they really
need to hear has nothing to do with the amount, but what it will cost
NOT to stage. Staging is not about spending money, but making money.
"I
took over a listing when a collegue of mine moved out of state,"
said one Realtor. "The home was dirty, cluttered and not selling!
I took it off the market for two weeks while the seller moved out, had
it cleaned and we hired a stager. Once she got everything set I did new
photos and we put it back on the market. We had it sold in two weeks without
lowering the price!"
The
Realtor went on to say that her client was originally willing to lower
the price by $5,000 to $10,000. I can tell you, without a doubt, the client
got more for it by staging it than he would have any other way.
Unstaged
homes can cost much more than the actual dollars and cents of staging.
Here's how:
- A
prospective buyer will drive by and not want to go inside because the
home lacks curb appeal;
-
A prospective buyer will not see more than the first room of the home
because it feels dark, cluttered and small;
- A
prospective buyer will see the home as dated and brand it a fixer-upper
to justify making a low offer;
- A
prospective buyer will not make an offer at all;
- The
homeowner will then make the first price reduction.
If
you'd like to learn more about the actual costs of home staging, give
Amie a call. She will be happy to discuss the details with you. Her number
is 337-654-8522.
A Professional
Home Stager is Your Secret Weapon. Don't Be Afraid to Use It.
Realtors
work full time to sell houses and find the right home for buyers. Just
as they delegate home inspections and appraisals, so should they delegate
home preparation to a professional home stager as a first step, prior
to listing.
Here
are a few of the benefits of hiring a trained, professional home stager:
• Statistics show the listing will sell for 3 to 10% more and 2
to 3 times faster
• Enhanced Client presentations
• Maximized earning potential
• Enhanced professional image
• Marketing budget and time spent marketing will decrease
• Provide exceptional value – added service for your clients
• Post excellent photos that encourage showings
• Ensure the highest possible return for your sellers’ investment
• Maintain client relationships – no longer be the bad guy
about what is needed in a listing
• Higher earnings
Amie's Work
Featured in Acadiana Home Finder
A recent edition
of The Advertiser's Acadiana Home Finder magazine featured a home staged
by Amie on the cover.
The home,located at Olde Town
at Millcreek, was listed by Kellie Rourke, an agent with Century 21 Gateway.
Kellie engaged Amie's services because she felt it necessary to set the
listing apart from others in the area.
"With all the cookie cutter
houses on the market today, it is refreshing to see a house that makes
you feel instantly at home," stated the opening sentence of the accompanying
article.
With new construction it is
difficult for potential homebuyers to visualize the function and scale
of unfurnished spaces. Staging helps give such properties what the Homefinder
called a "cozy, comfortable at-home feel," making it easy for
buyers to imagine themselves living there.
NOTE: Amie
specializes in staging vacant homes and new construction.
