Because this is what I teach, promote, and sell…you could just chock it up to bias.  But I’m also a consumer, possess a lot of common sense, and I have eyes!  The truth is, you really don’t need any skin in the game to see the difference between a beautifully staged property and its non-staged counterpart.

Don’t believe me?  According to the National Association of Realtors, staging most definitely does make an impact on the buyer’s first impression and the number of days a house is on the market.  While they claim it doesn’t necessarily help a listing sell for more money…I DIGRESS!  The fact is, the longer a house sits, the more likely the price will have to be dropped to attract more buyers.  So ensuring that home is looking good from the get-go is in everyone’s best interest.  And not to get technical about it, but yes indeed!  A home that’s been staged will ensure it sells for more money because you won’t have to drop the price to sell it!

I’ve been professionally staging for a very long time.  Many of the clients I see have called me in because their house has been lingering far too long without a nibble.  And the number one complaint I often hear?  “My Realtor wasn’t specific enough!”  You can’t just tell your client to de-clutter and take down the family photos, these days.  You need to provide information that pertains directly to their house and how potential buyers are going to view it.  In other words…you need to be MORE SPECIFIC!

This is not the same Real Estate Industry it was 10-20 years ago, when all you had to do was slap a “For Sale” sign on the lawn to draw attention.  Buyers today have many resources at their fingertips and are far more sophisticated than ever before!  They don’t need to call an agent to look at your listing.  They can now take the full-tour directly online!  And if they don’t like what they see, there’s a high-probability they will never book an in-person showing.

No one is suggesting Realtors invest in a warehouse full of furniture and become a full-service staging company.  But having the ability to expertly assist your client in getting their house ready for market effectively to appeal to the most potential buyers possible is the key to a house selling vs. sitting.  The more you know, the better.

Want to learn more about Home Staging and earn your HSE® designation ?  Check out our training calendar and online course!