I just read a post by Amie Chaney, What Does Staging Cost?
I am sure that Amie had no idea when she wrote it what direction the comments were going to go. I started to add a comment and soon realized that my "comment" was getting rather lengthy and needed a post of its own.
I agree with Amie that sellers really cannot afford not to stage their homes to sell. It is very frustrating to hear that a client "cannot afford" to stage and then watch as the price is reduced by $20,000 a few months later. When you consider the mortgage payment, insurance, and utility payments that are adding up each month it stays on the market, the cost of not staging is pretty high.
However; I understand where the comments re: cost and disclosure of fees is coming from. I sympathise with the fact that many sellers are under great financial stress and truly believe they can't afford this service. Staging is perceived as expensive, and unfortunately, still in some areas as unnecessary.
I believe, that in many cases, there is a misunderstanding that comes from the perceived definition of staging.
To many people staging involves a total remodel, all new furniture and accessories brought in by a team of workers...costing thousands of dollars. That is the most common representation of what staging is. Not helping this perception is that many, if not most, home stagers do not list prices for their services and if you have to inquire further to find out how much something costs, that traditionally translates into being expensive. Many people will just assume it is too expensive rather than ask price. I'm not criticizing this policy, I'm saying how it can be perceived. The way stagers charge for their services varies. For those that don't charge hourly, every job is different and needs to be priced individually.
We need to continue to educate sellers that staging is for all budgets and that the term covers a lot of services.
Staging can be as basic as getting professional direction towards what needs to be done and then making those improvements yourself. Cleaning and decluttering doesn't cost money, painting is not expensive. Many times the existing furnishings and accessories just need to be rearranged or replaceed Slipcovers and new pillows can be purchased instead of new furniture. It may be a lot of work, but it doesn't have to be expensive.
Most stagers are very passionate, we strive for excellence. Our ultimate goal is a house that is emotionally appealing to buyers. We are happiest when our work contributes to a successful sale.
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Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast
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Great post, Sharon. As a realtor who stages my clients homes at no charge to them (I absorb any costs beyond the use of my existing inventory) I know how much can be accomplished on a very limited budget. I keep a stash of accessories that rotate from house to house, but in this part of the country, it's sometimes hard to convince sellers that free staging is worth it.
They'll say things like, "well, if it comes to that, we'll have the home staged" meaning that after it's already been on the market 6 months and has a stigma then they'll consider painting their purple kitchen or removing the 2nd full size sofa in their small living room.
I probably should start my own post on this topic since it drives me a little nuts, but I hope you get tons of consumers and agents alike reading your post since there still seem to be so many who don't "get it"!
Have to agree that the nominal cost of staging is a no brainer. We must remember that buying is an emotional decision.
Regards,
Tom Garcia
It really is a simple concept - spend a little money now, make lots more later! ROI!!!
Sharon I just don't understand the "let's wait and see if we need to" attitude. Like you said, then there is a stigma attached to the house. It might as well have a sign painted across the front that says "something is wrong with me or I would have sold by now." If someone decides to stage after being on the market a long time, I suggest removing the listing and relisting after the staging with a fresh start. Write your own post on the subject, it sure could use the attention!
Tom and Libby: From your mouths to the sellers' ears! If only they understood what a psychological process it really is.
Amie: I am so glad you approve! Your post was like reading something that I had written. I related so much to what you wrote and just had to respond. Maybe if we keep on putting it out there...
You may also want to read my recent blog posting relating to this subject: The "Stage before you list" psychology
... working hard to get the word out there!
Thank you for this great post! We stage homes in all price points and always talk to the client about any budget needs they may have. When a client requests every room in a high end home be staged, we tell them up front that this is costly, and we will gladly do it, but to please remember that staging is really to focus on the areas that need highlighting and any problematic areas. We often submit our proposal eliminating some of the rooms the client thought needed staging and this makes them happy! We spoke with a builder 2 days ago whom had received a quote that was more than double to stage the same rooms that we charged a client in a comparable home in the same neighborhood! Needless to say, this gentleman is weary of staging and we are going to have to really keep in touch with him in order to get the job.
Tracy: Well it is up to you to change this man's impression of our business! No pressure there at all! Good luck getting the job!
Great post! Please contribute to my post on No Cost Home Staging.
Thanks,
Christina
Christina Thanks for commenting. I will check out your post.