Is Home Staging Worth The Price?
It has been argued that empty houses sell better because they allow potential buyers to more easily envision themselves living in the home. Our experience shows this couldn’t be further from the truth! We dispel that common myth and explain why staging is an essential part of the home selling process.
What is home staging?
Home staging is the process of preparing a home for sale to create an excellent buyer experience. It involves cleaning, organizing, decluttering, updating decor and rearranging furniture to showcase a home in its best state. Staging helps to highlight a home’s best features, optimizes its layout and creates a more comfortable atmosphere which makes the listing more appealing to potential buyers. Many professional stagers also attempt to depersonalize their clients’ homes which entails removing family-specific items such family pictures. This makes it easier for potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the home.
Is it better to sell a house empty or staged?
It is always better to sell a house staged as opposed to empty because staged houses sell for more money and faster. Empty houses often give prospective buyers the impression of a distress sale which is an open invitation for low-ball offers. Empty homes also look smaller, so it’s important to find the right furniture and set it up in the optimal way for your space. Professional stagers are skilled in using the right combination of furniture, decor and colours to make an otherwise unappealing space into a warm, comfortable atmosphere that makes buyers excited to want to live there.
How much value does staging add to a home?
On average, a staged home sells for 5-15% more than its un-staged or empty counterpart. On a $600,000 home, that amounts to $30,000-$90,000 in additional revenue for the buyer. The significant boost in average selling price often makes staging worth the price, as it creates a lot of value for a relatively low cost.
What is the most important room to stage when selling a house?
Home staging has more impact in certain key rooms:
Living Room. Most realtors and professional stagers agree that the living room is the most important room to stage when selling a house. This is the part of the house where families spend the majority of their time together so it’s key that this space is comfortable and inviting.
Kitchen. In most homes, the kitchen is the focal point of the main floor. Cleared countertops, ambient lighting and luxurious place settings are used to create an atmosphere that makes buyers feel inclined to entertain or share a wonderful meal with family and friends.
Primary Bedroom. This is the homeowner’s oasis where they look to disconnect and relax. Warm, neutral colours, comfortable furniture, soft linens and pleasant scents are used to set the stage for place the future homeowner can go to unwind. Stagers will also ensure there is adequate closet or wardrobe space to keep the seller’s clothes organized and out of sight.
Does staging sell a house faster?
Yes, a staged home sells 80% faster than it’s empty or un-staged equivalent. Staging shows your home at its best and as such, makes it more attractive to potential buyers. Staged homes appeal to a wider cross-section of buyers and generally attract more offers.
How much does it cost to stage a condo in Toronto?
The average cost of staging a home or condo in Toronto is $500-700 per room, per month. Assuming you decide to stage 5 key rooms and your house is on the market for 30 days, you can expect to pay $2,500-3,500 in staging costs. Although that may seem expensive, keep in mind that a $2,500 staging that increases your selling price by $50,000 yields a 2000% return on investment. Your staging cost is also tax-deductible.
A staged living room uses warm colours, comfortable furniture, stylish decor, and accent art to create an atmosphere that’s fun and inviting.
Who pays for staging in Ontario?
There is no set rule in Ontario regarding who pays for staging. That said, top realtors typically include staging as part of their service package given the immense value it adds for sellers relative to the cost. Given the importance of staging to the home selling process, asking who pays for staging is a key point to clarify when interviewing realtors.
Is home Staging Worth It?
Yes, staging is absolutely worth it when selling your home. A staged home not only sells for 5-15% more than its un-staged counterpart but also sells 80% faster. The potential revenue gain and reduced time on market significantly outweigh the average cost of $500-700 per room.
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