Home Staging: In this Current Housing Market, It's a Must

As an introductory post for , I want to talk a little bit about out specialty: Home Staging.

 In retail it is referred to as "merchandising" but in real estate, we call it, "staging" — a way for your home to appeal to prospective buyers. It is not new nor is it a luxury — in today's market, it is a necessity. 

Take it from the New York Village Voice, which reported that the average number of days on the market for a staged house was 13.9, versus 30.9 days for an unstaged house.

Staging is a way to artfully arrange a home not for living comfort, but to highlight the best features of the house itself: architecture, room size, window views and focal point. 

Staging must be done not only in one particular style, but with a general vibe that has an appeal to every person that walks through the door. 

In all honesty, staging begins at the walk-way — curb appeal will grab a buyer before they even make it to the front door! 

The 2004, the National Post wrote that only 10% of home buyers can actually visualize the potential of a home. A study by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry found that a $700 paint job results in a 200% recovery of the cost upon resale of the home. 

With that said, staging costs are also very affordable: a 2003 HomeGain survey of 2,000 real estate agents nationwide found that moderately priced home improvements, ranging from $80 to $2,800, made in preparation for sale actually yielded the highest returns when a house is sold — a staged home sells for more money.

Look out for more staging & design tips to come, and never hesitate to contact us with questions.