It’s a big question, just what is the importance of staging? Here at Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International, we feel that home staging has become a “must-do” for sellers. In the modern age of internet usage, home staging has evolved from a technique used for in-person showings to a strategy for giving homes a strong online presence too. This is important because the NAR reports that 44% of buyers start their home search online and 98% of buyers frequently use the web to search for homes. These days, we use home staging to “wow” virtual viewers from the very first picture. Using specific techniques like furniture rearranging, a neutral color pallet, and selective accents, the idea is that staging can dramatically transform a home without major renovations. Moreover, the concept of staging has become mainstream through the rise of social media and the popularity of home improvement shows. 

What is Home Staging? 

Think about a room that’s bright and cluttered, walls filled with family photos the scent of dog and dinner wafting through the air. Most potential buyers will be turned off by a property that looks like this. Too many colors, furniture and possessions make it difficult for people to concentrate on the property. It’s human nature, our eyes tire very quickly; the more we see in a room, the less we can process. It’s called stimulus overload, and hen there is too much to see, we don’t see anything. The goal of home staging is to cut the clutter, or noise if you will, and show a property the most appealing way. This helps a prospective buyer envision your house as their own, rather than through the lens of your personal tastes. Staged homes sell faster and for more money than those that are unstaged, according to industry analysis.

208 Cima Vista, Hesperus, Durango, CO.

Benefits of Staging

Now more than ever, home sellers are enlisting the services of stagers. A trend that makes it very likely your property will be competing with homes that have been professionally staged. In addition, the huge popularity of HGTV shows, and Instagram have heightened buyer expectations.

• Staging your home will help your property stand out online. There’s a reason people spend hours looking at home decor on Pinterest, Instagram and blogs. With so many people starting their home searches online these days, it’s vitally important to stand out. 
• One of the main goals of staging is to help people better imagine themselves living in a space. It’s about creating an emotional connection, once someone falls in love with the space, it’s much easier for them to commit to buying.
• Staging helps to demonstrate a home’s potential. Maybe you always used that weird space under the stairs for storage, but if a potential buyer sees it transformed into a lovely reading nook, the space suddenly takes on a whole new life.
• It might seem like emptying a room would make it feel bigger, but on the contrary, empty rooms can end up looking small. Showing how the space in a room can be used takes buyers one step closer to envisioning living there.
• According to an NAR report, 58% of sellers’ realtors believe that buyers offer more money for staged homes, the statistics range from 5% to 20%. With numbers like that, consider the return on investment. If you found a financial planner who could give you an (ROI) of 5%, 10%, or 20%, wouldn’t you think they were a genius? Well, that’s what a good stager can do for your sale price.
• Lastly, staging can help to reduce the length of time your home sees on the market. NAR studies show that on average staged homes sell 6% to 10% faster. 

The Edge, Durango, CO

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, the decision about whether or not to have your home staged is up to you. But keep in mind, forgoing staging could mean leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Remember, the cost of professional staging can mean money in the bank for you. If staging helps sell your home sooner, saves you from carrying expenses longer, and nets you a higher final selling price then your money is well spent. Here at Legacy Properties West, we know that potential buyers aren’t just looking for a structure to live in – they’re looking to fulfill their dreams. Staging helps sell those dreams and creates a more emotional purchase. Contact us today to discuss all the ways we can help your sale go smoother with home staging today.