Should I Stage My Vacant Home?
By Jennifer Allan
Home staging is all the rage... and with reason! Staged homes sell much quicker and for higher prices than homes that are vacant.
If your home is vacant (that is, unfurnished), you should definitely consider the possibility of staging it. A professional home stager can make small rooms appear more spacious, awkward spaces feel usable and lofty floor plans feel cozy. A staged home will stand out among the competition and is more likely to be remembered at the end of a long day of showings.
There are many good reasons to stage a home. First, staged homes photograph better, which is critical for today's Internet-driven buyer. Staging also helps the buyer imagine how a room can be furnished; it's common knowledge that the vast majority of buyers do not have the vision to mentally furnish and decorate a vacant room. A staged home also appears to be occupied, giving a measure of security as well.
However, not all vacant homes are good candidates for staging. It's not appropriate to stage a fix-up, poorly maintained or tenant-occupied home. Although the staging process beautifully accentuates the positive aspects of a home, it is not recommended that you use home staging to mask deferred maintenance or structural problems.
While buyers may be initially distracted by the wonderful first impression, once they look a little deeper, they will feel a dissonance between the visual appeal of the home and the actual beneath-the-surface condition. A staged home attracts a certain kind of buyer; one who will expect the home to be perfect or nearly so.
If your home will be vacant during the marketing process, ask your real estate agent to recommend a good home stager. Yes, it's another added expense, but for the right house - worth every penny!
Jennifer Allan, Dever Colorado USA.
Jennifer is a RE/MAX Hall of Fame member and the bestselling author of 5 real estate books including her bstseller 'Sell With Soul'. Her approach to real estate and her clients is fresh and innovative.
