FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

These are answers to some commonly asked questions.  If you have additional questions and would like more information, please give us a call (484.371.1750).

What is home staging?

In a nutshell, home staging is the practice of preparing a home so that it is best positioned to sell more quickly and for more money than other homes on the market.  

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What does home staging involve?

Each property is different. However, there are a number of techniques that may be used in the staging of a home, that could include rearranging what you already have, adding appropriate artwork, accessories, and furniture, etc., choosing paint colors, arranging for contractors to perform necessary services, etc.  The bottom line is that a home stager will work with you to determine what must be done to sell your home and help you make it happen.

Why should I put money into a house I'm selling?

Think about home staging like a job interview.  You certainly wouldn’t show up for an interview for a job you really want without doing some preparation, such as getting a haircut, buying a new suit and shining your shoes - doing whatever you can to outshine the competition.  Essentially, you would invest in yourself to present yourself in the best light possible.  Selling your home should be approached with the same type of care and preparation to get the outcome you want – the best possible offer in the shortest amount of time.  Staging your home should be considered an investment rather than an expense because you will see a return on your investment when your home sells. 

Why do I need a professional home stager?

There are three critical attributes that a professional home stager will bring to the table.  First, a home stager will bring objectivity by assessing your home as if looking through the eyes of a buyer.  The key selling points will be identified, as well as with areas needing improvement.   Why is an objective opinion important?  You have lived in your home and have made personal choices about how it looks; it feels like home because you have personalized it to your tastes.  You may think that the wall treatment you have done in your child’s room is precious; or that the collection of decorative plates is charming.  However a buyer may these things distracting.  A home stager objective eye will help you understand what needs to be done to make your home appealing to the broadest group of buyers possible.

Secondly, home stagers are decorating professionals.  A home stager can quickly and easily come up with a plan to create the look that will appeal to buyers as well as assemble the necessary resources to get the project completed quickly.  Their expertise will be invaluable as they will be able to determine how best to use what you already own and make recommendations for what is needed to complete each room.  Home stagers also often have access to resources that the average homeowner does not have, including decorator discounts and leverage with contractors for scheduling work quickly.

Third, a home stager can give you time.  There are so many details involved in a move, including finding a new home, getting a mortgage, packing up your belongings, coordinating a move, etc., etc., while also managing a full-time job and a family.  With all of this to deal with, preparing your home to sell will most likely fall to the bottom of your priority list.  A home stager will help free up some of your time by managing the details of getting your home ready to sell.

Homes in my area don’t seem to be selling.  Why should I stage my home in this slow market?

Selling a house is certainly more of a challenge in this slow market.  The available listings exceed demand which means that your home is competing with a lot of other homes to get a buyer’s attention. 

If there are homes in your area that don’t seem to be selling, try doing some research to assess the competition in your area.  A great way to do this is to look up their listing on the internet and view the photos of the interior.  Or, visit some open houses.  Chances are, there will be a number of things you can easily identify as a buyer “turn-off”.  

Because the competition is so tough, it is more important than ever to have your home staged so it stands out above the rest of the homes in your area. 

My home is already on the market?  Is it too late to have it staged?

No, it is never too late.  Yes, you may have missed valuable opportunities to sell your home because it wasn’t properly prepared to sell; however, you may have gained valuable information from prospective buyers that will give you an idea as to why it isn’t selling.  If your home has been on the market for some time, it might even make sense to take it off the market, have it staged and then put it back on the market as a new listing. 

Will having my home staged change the list price of my home?

Maybe, depending on the magnitude of the changes you have made since your home was priced.  If a real estate agent assessed and priced your home prior to it being properly staged, the agent should see the house again to reevaluate your home. 

How much will it cost to stage my home?

Home staging can range from a few hundred dollars for an initial consultation to a few thousand dollars to furnish an entire home. Key factors include:

•the size of your home and it’s current condition

•the amount of work you are willing to do yourself

•the amount of furnishings that you own that can be used in the staging process

•the price of your home

A home stager working with a furnished home will be able to keep your costs down by working primarily with what you already own.  However, if purchases are recommended, keep in mind that these items will be yours to keep and enjoy in your new home.  Another possibility is that a buyer may be interested in purchasing some of the interesting accessories and artwork that a home stager has recommended because they work so well in the home that you are selling.  This can be become a bargaining chip in the sale.

Keep in mind that the cost to stage your home is an investment and that the return on your investment will pay off when the home is sold. 

Should I stage my home before I meet with a real estate agent?

While not required, this is certainly the best scenario.  Showing your staged home to a real estate agent will allow them to see your home in its best light and help him or her make the best pricing recommendation.

What should I look for in a home stager?

There are a number of things you should look for in a home stager.  First, you should ask to see a portfolio that includes before and after photos of projects they have worked on.  This will help you get an idea of the type of work they do.  Be sure to ask them if the photos reflect actual work that they have done.

Second, ask the stager about their experience.  Do they seem confident about their abilities?  Do they have testimonials or references from past clients?

Third, be sure to ask about the specific services they will be able to provide.  Are they able to coordinate an entire project?  Do they have access to rental furniture and contractors?  Are they able to work within your budget?  Do they have creative solutions?  Can they complete the project in the amount of time that you have?  What other services do they offer?

Finally, you need to feel comfortable with the person you hire to stage your home.  This is someone that is going to partner with you to accomplish the goal of selling your home.  You need to be confident that this person can achieve the goal while staying within your budget and time constraints. 

Bear in mind that some home stagers will claim to be “accredited”; however it is important to know that there are no official credentials for being a home stager.  To be accredited in a field, there needs to be an independent organization that monitors how a professional deals with clients and checks the quality of their work.  There is no such organization in the home staging field.  You should judge a home stager on their portfolio of work, testimonials from other clients, services they provide and your comfort level in working with them.