5 TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR INVESTMENT IN HOME STAGING AND INCREASE PROFIT

Home Staging

Aug 2

THE MAGIC

There is no bigger believer in the magic of home staging than yours truly. The best home stagers can pull off virtual miracles by taking a property from frightening to gorgeous. And, though I think these stagers are incredible, there are some factors beyond the stager’s control which can impact the outcome.

The good news is there’s a lot real estate agents and sellers can do to ensure a great outcome. Since you’re spending the money to present the property in its best light, why not do everything possible to get the most out of that investment.

Here are our 5 tips for doing so.

TIP #1

HAVE FAITH
IN YOUR HOME STAGER

Our top tip is trust in the you’ve hired professionals to do the job. We know it can be difficult to take advice on something as personal as one’s home. But, everyone is after the same objective – sell the home quickly for the best price. And, realtors and stagers have the experience to know how to get that done.

And, agents, you should be working with a home stager who’s work you trust. You know that by the time staging day arrives, you and your stager will have already worked collaboratively to come up with a plan for how to market the house to the ideal buyer. A good home stager partner will willingly make adjustments if you feel the staging needs to be tweaked.

TIP #2

THE HOME IS THE PRODUCT ~
PREPARE IT FOR SALE

As stagers, when we go into a home, we aren’t just thinking about how we are going to stage the home, we are thinking about how the home needs to be prepared for staging. Staging is magical, but it’s not a replacement for having a well kept property.

Some maintenance or landscaping might be necessary. Yes - this may cost money. But, consider the following points:

The experts say that in a climate with intense sunlight, like we experience in Los Angeles, the exterior of a home should be repainted every 5 - 10 years and the interior should be repainted every 3- 5 years. If the home has not been painted within the last few years, it might be worth doing so before listing.
From the perspective of a potential buyer, deferred maintenance and seemingly small details may be viewed as an indication of bigger problems? A concerned buyer may inquire about the issues, or they may walk straight out without even giving the real estate agent the chance to respond.
The fewer things a buyer has to worry about, the higher the offer and ultimate selling price. By making improvements, sellers are likely to get back every penny on the sale. Even though DIY is all the rage, so is “move in ready.” Most people when shopping for their primary home do not want to sign up for a list of projects. Sure, they may want to make some aesthetic changes, or updates here and there, but they will probably not be interested in taking on years of deferred maintenance. For this reason, the difference in price between fixers and homes that are well maintained is generally a larger amount than the cost of handling minor maintenance.
Several brokerages, at least where we are in Los Angeles, will front sellers the money to perform maintenance or upgrades. So, not having the funds for improvements is not really an excuse any longer. Sellers should inquire with their real estate agents to see what programs might be available.
If issues are addressed upfront, buyers are much less likely to ask for big credits or concessions during escrow. And, if a home has lots of deferred maintenance, it’s a red flag for inspectors. If they see the basics weren’t handled they are going to expect significant issues and may look harder to uncover them.

TIP #3

MAKE THE HOME SPARKLE

Make sure the home is clean. When I say clean, I mean white glove clean. Clean windows and baseboards and try to address those stains in the kitchen sink. Dirt tells a buyer the house has not been cared for. And we all know that our homes are so much nicer to be in when they are spick and span.

When I talk about clean, though, I’m not just talking about dirt. I’m talking about the details. Is the paint on walls or ceiling a bright color that was popular 20 years ago or is it dingy? Do your switch plate covers and door knobs match? Have doors been removed from closets or rooms? All of these details that make a home seem mishmash will detract from the features of the home that you want buyers to pay attention to.

TIP #4

GIVE THE HOME STAGER RUN OF THE HOUSE ON STAGING DAY

I know it’s hard for sellers to let somebody come into their home and take over. And it’s tempting to take a front row seat for the transformation. But, stagers are creative people and they have a process. They need to focus on that process without spectators or running commentary from others. And, it’s simply not safe when heavy pieces are being moved up and down stairs and through narrow hallways for extra people to be milling about.

TIP #5

UNDERSTAND THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STAGING

In the context of staging, yes - the seller or agent is the customer, and yes - the seller or agent is paying the bill. But, the staging is not meant to appeal to the seller or the agent. It is for the ideal buyer.

This is particularly difficult for sellers to swallow when there is a generation or two difference between the seller and the ideal potential buyer. The seller may be turned off by the staging, but it may be exactly what turns on the ideal buyer.

The staging may not look like what the seller envisioned. But, this may be a great thing. Today’s buyers are sophisticated and they can see through tired formulas for showcasing homes.

Though it can be difficult for sellers to see their beloved home turn into something they don’t recognize, the best advice is to let the home go, just as they will when they hand over the keys.

If you adhere to these 5 tips, you will give your home the best chance for the highest return on sale.