The Value of Staging: HUGE Rewards When Selling Property

We’ve all heard of curb appeal. A couple flowers here and there can really make a difference on your bottom line. But, what about the inside of your house? Could you take a couple of hours and transform a room to make it more attractive to potential buyers? What if you had to use mainly what was already in the room and had only a small budget of $250.00?

In February Realtor Magazine did just that. Two professional stagers, along with a camera crew and some helping hands went to a Chicago area home and staged three rooms: a home office, a bedroom and a living room.

The stagers were able to demonstrate how a little imagination, some well-placed accessories and reorganizing can make a property shine and stand out in today’s slow market. In resort areas such as Myrtle Beach, real estate sales must compete with hundreds of properties. Every little thing could make the difference between a sale or a pass over.

A sales person for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Chicago, Mark Jak, ABR, told Realtor Magazine that buyers were increasingly relying on the internet to narrow their choices, so staging was important not only for showings, but for internet photos as well.

A relatively small investment can net big increases in value.

HomeGain conducted a survey in 2003 and found that staging could increase the sales price by $2,725 to over $2800. Getting rid of your clutter and deep cleaning could add between $2,093 to $2,389 to your bottom line.

There are several companies that now specialize in staging. One of those companies, StagedHomes.com found that staged home sold for almost 7% more than homes that weren’t staged. An oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach can look like a masterpiece with the right furnishings and touch-ups, or a neglected, seldom updated rental unit with the wrong ones.

These statistics have lead to a upswing of homeowners interested in staging. StagedHomes.com offers an credited Staging Professional designation course and has had an increase in enrollment of 49% in the 6 months ending in March 07, compared to the six months before.

The great thing about the makeovers is that they don’t have to take a lot of time or cost a lot of money. One stager relied on things she already had. Another professional stager says that first impressions count, and she only stages the main hallway and areas that can be seen from the entryway. The main living area, kitchen, master bedroom are the areas where the buyers usually base their decisions.

Getting rid of clutter is important and Professional Stager, Lori Matzke says to tuck away anything smaller than a football.

Real Estate agents are starting to include staging as part of their services, either doing small jobs themselves or hiring a professional stager. The cost of a professional staging can range from $500 to over $1000 for an average-sized home. Prices normally include carpeting, painting, accessories and labor. Costs can go higher depending on the extent of the work necessary and the size of the areas to be staged. Occasionally stagers will rent furniture if the situation warrants it.

Convincing a seller that their home needs sprucing up has to be handled with kid gloves. Barb Schwartz of Staged Homes.com uses an example of detailing your car before you get ready to sell it. Your home is an asset and detailing it is a smart choice.

One realtor says that sellers have been living with clutter for years. They don’t even see it anymore. A great way to get past that obstacle is to bring pictures of similar homes with clutter and it makes the issue more apparent when you show the homeowner the similarities.

If you are having a hard time selling your Myrtle Beach condo or home, call us here at JoinMyrtleBeach.com and let us help to market it in a way that will make the most of your investment.

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