With the economy under the microscope, many financial industry experts say the housing market needs to show stable signs of robust sales. The reason is because when the real estate market is strong so many other elements of the economy.
According to research by the Real Estate Staging Association, 73% of homes sell faster on average, that are staged than homes which are not staged.
Why Home Staging is a Great Choice
Your options to get your home sold fast are few. You can just sell it cheaper than similar homes in your local neighborhood. Result is you receive less cash proceeds at closing.
A second option is to make expensive home improvements before you decide to sell or list your home for sale. However, tens of thousands of dollars are most likely needed when upgrading the kitchen or bathroom. Moreover, there’s no guarantee that more buyers will make an offer.
A third, and usually better approach is to “stage” your home for sale. The practice of home staging is familiar to many homeowners compliments of reality tv shows. If you don’t know what it is, home staging is the art of prepping a home for sale.
A professional home stager is an expert in the art of preparing homes for sale. Since most homebuyers begin their home search online, having a home staging professional can be extremely important drawing in prospective buyers.
A home that utilizes no staging comes across as less desirable in photographs compared to a staged home. Statistics also show that staged homes obtain more foot-traffic. Home staging oftentimes includes placement of furniture, artwork, and home accessories for a short-term.
What’s the Cost of Home Staging?
Professional home stagers are paid either by the hour or paid a flat fee for their service. As is the case with most real estate industry professionals, an estimates can be obtained at not cost. The average fee to stage a home is just under $700; and the temporary furniture or accessories will have an additional cost.
Don’t let this deter you. The return on investment is many times well worth the initial cost as you’re only investing a few hundred dollars to generate a return of thousands of dollars more. It can make a huge difference on your net proceeds when selling a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, or adjacent cities.
Here are some obvious and affordable staging practices that may yield big returns.
- Painting: New paint can cover up home odors while significantly brightening up a room
- Carpeting: New carpet brings with it a sense of being in a new room and cleanliness
- Decluttering: Getting rid of “junk” from rooms, closets, and cabinets, and drawers creates instant attraction} and makes it look more roomy.
If hundreds of dollars is too much at the outset, try these low cost home staging tips under $50. First impression is always important so why not make it your best if you’re a motivated seller.
- Invest in a new welcome mat, which may run you just $15.
- Buy a few mirrors and hang them in rooms that are dark, or are small, to make them appear more roomy. Placing the mirrors adjacent to or directly across from a window, helps them bring in more sunlight.
- Arrange Tables and Counters for Entertaining – Just put out some napkins, wineglasses and a set of plates in the dining area.
- Buy some canvas paintings or prints that are scenery of landscapes, modern shapes, travel locations, or floral motifs and replace any personal pictures on your walls. Typically these can be bought for under $50 at stores such as Michael’s or at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
- Make your bathroom area more inviting with all-white linens.