Earlier this week I went to have my nails done ahead of speaking at a conference, I thought I should look the part! In conversation with the beauty therapist, I learned that she loves to do lash treatments but finds they are not booked frequently. We started chatting about her target market and how she might reach them more effectively. I suggested to her that since lash treatments are relatively new and her clients are relatively mature that although she knew they could benefit, either they hadn’t even thought to have it done or they were apprehensive in not knowing exactly what was involved.
It occurred to me then that home staging is very similar, a relatively new concept and many people don’t yet know what it is or what it involves. This may well mean we are not reaching our target audience because we are making too many assumptions.
So here goes with a few FAQs:
What is home staging?
Home staging is a property marketing technique. A professional stager works alongside a home seller to prepare their home for the market so that when it is photographed and launched onto the property portals it looks its absolute best. It’s a lot like the preparation for an important interview or any big occasion. It takes time, effort and sometimes money but it pays off in the end.
How long does it take?
It depends what needs to be done. For instance, if there is decorating which a professional stager advises will make a difference to the sale then it may take a few weeks. However, if it is a case of decluttering or replacing/adding some furniture and accessories, the house can be ready for photos within 2 weeks of first meeting a professional stager.
Can I do the work myself?
Yes. A professional stager will be able to advise on what work will benefit the sale. From there you can choose to do the work yourself or pay for their service. Remember though, you probably don’t choose to do the work yourself when the garage mechanic tells you what needs to be done on your car, professional help will always bring value in terms of expertise and time saving.
How much does staging cost?
Again, this depends on the scope of the work. Many stagers will work with a budget that you set. Remember though that it may be better to spend nothing than waste a small amount of money on changes that won’t make a real difference to your sale. On average we suggest you allocate 1% of your guide price to staging to get the best return on your investment. We see this reaping rewards of buyers willing to pay up to 10% more than the guide price to secure a beautifully staged home.
What return on my investment can I expect?
Staging makes a difference to both the speed of your sale and to the price you accept. When markets are slow we have long term data supporting results of staging selling homes 4 times faster than their un-staged counterparts. In a ‘hot market’ staging is a real bonus in attracting competing buyers who are willing to push the offer prices well above the guide.
If you would like to book an initial consultation with us please email [email protected].
