When selling your home, you want to present it in the best possible way to attract as many prospective buyers as you can and to achieve the highest sale price quickly. For most properties, putting them on the market in their current condition is unlikely to achieve that and many people now go for home staging as a better option.
Home staging is growing in popularity and can increase the sale price of a property by 5-10%. To achieve that, it has to be done properly, which normally involves a significant cost.
Different Approaches to Home Staging
Home staging makes your home look as good as possible, allows people to visualise how it can be for them and makes the property stand out from others on the market.
A recent variation is virtual staging where professional photographs are taken of various rooms and then digitally altered by removing clutter and adding in attractive features. This costs $15-45 per image and can produce appealing photographs that can interest potential buyers but may disappoint them when they see the actual rooms.
If you feel you have design skills, you may be tempted to stage the property yourself. You can obtain useful information from books on the subject and can also arrange a consultation with a home stager, at a cost of $150-500, where you will receive advice and guidance.
Note, however, that staging is different to interior decorating. The former is designed to appeal to others who don’t share your taste whereas the latter reflects your personal taste and creates the home you want. Anything you do will represent your view of the property whereas an independent view will identify flaws and aspects that can be improved. This is better coming from a professional stylist rather than friends and family members.
Your home is probably the biggest investment you have so cutting corners isn’t the best way of achieving the maximum return. Indeed, despite the cost, professional staging will often pay off through a quicker sale at a much higher price.
For professional staging, you have two choices:
- Basic staging that involves decluttering, tidying and cosmetic changes that will make rooms look more appealing to prospective buyers and enhance their features. This will typically cost $1,500 in addition to the initial consultation fee of $150-500.
- Full staging where furniture and accessories are moved in to improve the appearance of each room. This is particularly suitable for an empty property or one where the furnishings are worn or dated. The cost of this staging, in addition to the initial consultation, will depend on the size of the property, the amount of furniture needed and the period of hire. For a typical six-week hire, the cost can range from $2,000 for a one-bedroom apartment up to $10,000 or more for a five-bedroom house.
Value for Money
Whatever you pay, view it as an investment that can achieve a profit through a higher sale price. However, to get the best value for that investment, you need to get the most professional service you can.
Estate agents are as much a part of the process as home stagers and solicitors. The ones on our service can provide advice on the best way of presenting your home and ensure you achieve the best price.