Importance of staging your home

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - If you're thinking about selling your house, then you have to do more than just put up a For Sale sign. In the real estate market today, and especially in a slow market, you have to stage your home for sale. Joining us this morning to offer tips and suggestions is Sandi Lanigan, Accredited Staging Professional (ASP).

What does it mean to stage your home? Staging is preparing your home for the Real Estate Market so the buyer can get top dollar for their property. “The way you live in your home and the way you should market your home are two different things”.

Why is this so important? Staging has become a crucial marketing investment due to the internet. Potential buyers are viewing your home thru MLS photos on the internet. If they don’t like what they see, they don’t contact your Realtor and you have lost a potential buyer.

Can you actually sell your home faster? Yes, according to Stagedhomes.com 94% of ASP staged home sell in less than 29 days as oppose to a non staged homes that can take up to 145 days on the market*.

Can you possibly get more money for it? Pricing is set by the Buyers. Listen to your Realtor when pricing your home. What staging can help with are fewer price reductions.
Sellers can often retain more equity in their staged home. Priced right and staged right a house will sell!

Does staging your home have to cost a lot? No, a 2 hour staging consultation is under $150 which is far less than the first price reduction. I hear it all the time “that was money well spent”

What are the benefits? Professional Home Stager looks at your home thru the buyer’s eyes. We want to emphasize the great attributes of the home. We look at the house with fresh eyes. Our goal is to show your home as large and bright as possible so the buyers can envision themselves living there.

Should someone hire a home stager or can they fluff up their home themselves? They can try but it is extremely difficult to be unbiased about your own home. Buyers are looking at the floor space and wall space. Sellers often feel they are “showing” the home at its best. They very surprised at my suggestions but can see the difference after I have completed a staging consultation.

Does staging your home really make a difference? Absolutely, in this real estate market staging is a key marketing strategy.

--What are some ways that people can stage their home to sell? declutter, neutralize walls and floors, Pack up your personal item.

To contact Sandi, visit www.sandilanigan.com