Selling your house or condo can be one of the most stressful things most people do. And with staging becoming more common in the selling process, we got to ask, is it worth the trouble? The National Association of Realtors surveyed 2,347 active Realtors® and their overwhelming response was, absolutely!
We looked at the top 3 reasons why you should stage your home before selling in today’s condo market.
BUYERS PREFER A STAGED HOME
Personalizing a home gives it character, and it is exactly what makes a home a home, but when it comes to selling your property, you need to appeal to everyone.
82% of buyers said staging made it easier for them to visualize the property as their future home. Not only that, but 47% of buyers’ agents said that home staging had a positive effect on their buyers view of the house or condo.
With the emergence of Real Estate TV Shows, the expectations of First-Time buyers are becoming heavily influenced by the homes they see on Television. In fact, 86% of those surveyed said that buyers were disappointed by how homes looked compared to homes they saw on Real Estate shows and 10% of buyers stated that they felt that homes should look the way they are staged on TV! Staging can help meet those expectations.
STAGED CONDOS SELL FOR MORE MONEY
It is hard to say if staging has any effect on the final selling price of a property. We asked both Realtors® and Sellers whether they felt like there was a change in dollar value when their home was staged, compared to other properties on the market. 23% said that staging increases the sale price by 1-5%.
Buyers are more willing to walk through a home online if a property is staged. They are also more likely to overlook other property faults if the home is decorated to their taste. In other words, that ‘Wow’ factor can make potential buyers more likely to overlook that water stain on the ceiling.
STAGED HOMES SELL FASTER
It is common knowledge that the faster a home sells, the higher the selling price. Houses and condos that sit on the market too long, begin getting a stigma around them. Buyers start to wonder if something is wrong with the property, and the offers get lower. For the Seller, it means putting up with showings for longer, and that can get intrusive. Decreasing the time a property spends on the market should always be a priority, and staging can help!
According to NAR, 53% of Realtors® stated that they notice a decrease in time spent on the market when homes are staged. Properties just sell faster when homes are staged.
IN CONCLUSION
When it comes time to sell your home, talk to your REALTOR® about staging options. Not all agents offer the service as part of their marketing plan, so make sure you include it in your questions when choosing an agent. Staging can also vary from simple decluttering, hiring a consultant, or completely replacing all the furniture in the home. It is always important to clarify what is best for your living situation and property.
