Staging, a term used to describe the preparation of a home for sale, has been around for many years but has just recently gained popularity and even featured in shows on HGTV. Why? Because staging works!

Realtors and investors know that staging will make your house sell for more money and with fewer days on the market. Research shows that almost 90% of potential home buyers do not have the ability to envision the full potential of a property. They get hung up on the owner’s taste of paint colors, décor and too much clutter. Some of you may be skeptical about these claims, so we decided to test the research.

As investors, we had three comparable homes (all vacant, all had the same number of bedrooms, same square footage and same neighborhood) and all were completely rehabbed with the same materials (flooring, paint, cabinets and countertops). One property was staged and the other two were not. After several showings with different buyers they all said they liked the property that had been staged, the best. One would wonder why this is the case if they are all comparable properties. It is because the furnishings and accessories gave the buyer a vision that they are not able to create on their own. It allows them to envision how to use the space and it accentuates the positive aspects of the home.

Realtors also know that staging works. In some parts of the country, realtors are hesitant to show and list properties that have not been staged. It doesn’t matter if the property is occupied or vacant, staging is just as important. In a competitive market you have to make your property stand out from the rest and in a slow market you need your property to attract buyers.

A home stager will look at your property objectively (from the eyes of the buyer) and make suggestions about what should be done before placing the home on the market. Generally it includes tasks such as removing clutter, cleaning, making minor repairs, rearranging furniture, and neutralizing the décor. This will allow your home to appeal to the most buyers, which is necessary for a fast and profitable sale.

Some have a hard time imagining spending money on a house they are trying to sell, but yet again the statistics show that investing in staging services will pay for itself because of the higher sale price and fewer days on the market. Home staging doesn’t have to cost a fortune. A home stager can create a do-it-yourself action plan that will allow you to make the necessary changes on your own and remember things like rearranging furniture, cleaning and removing clutter, don’t cost a thing!