Is It Worth Staging Your Property?

If you’re about to sell your home you’ve probably given a lot of thought to how you can attract the most potential buyers. 

Home Staging is a popular choice for many reasons, and you may be wondering if it’s the right choice for your property. Do staged properties sell for more money? Do they sell faster?

How Does Staging Make a Difference?  

One of the things buyers do when touring a home is to imagine themselves, their friends, and their families enjoying life there. Staging is a great way to help paint a picture for them. That sectional makes them think of movie nights, the glass table defines the living/dining areas, and those metal bar stools help them notice what a great entertaining space the kitchen is! 

Staging can create a more complete vision for the buyer by making the space feel welcoming, stylish, and functional.

Living Room Ideas: Wayfair.ca

Here are some ways staging will make your home stand out:

• Online listing photos will be much more inviting than photos of poorly decorated or empty rooms.

• Well arranged furniture defines the space and helps people picture how they could use each room. 

• Dated decor makes a home look drab, while contemporary pieces make a it look bright and appealing.

• Staging can highlight a property’s best features.

Can I Stage the Property Myself?

Some sellers may want to save money by staging their home themselves. Though it might be ideal to hire a professional, it is always an option to do it yourself. However, professionals know what buyers are responding to, and will know how to make your home look its very best with more market knowledge and experience. 

Or, talk to your Realtor about what they’re done in the past: Do they prefer a certain staging company? Can they help you stage your home? 

Will Staging Lead to a Higher Sale Price?

You’ll find different people who will say “Of course!” or “That’s a myth!” when asked this question, it really depends on the market you’re selling in. In Toronto, the real estate market is quite competitive, so making your property stand out is important. Appealing to the most buyers possible is always the goal when selling. The more buyers you attract, the more likely you are to get multiple offers, which drives up the price.

Consider this: What have comparable properties in your area sold for with and without staging? What did they do to make their home look its best?

While it’s difficult to know for sure whether your sale price will ultimately be higher staged than if un-staged, there is one key point most agree on: 

A staged home shows better. A home that shows better is more likely to (you guessed it!) attract more showings, and leave a more favourable impression on buyers.

This means staged properties are more likely to sell faster, and potentially earn a higher price.

Staging with your own furniture? See more about our Easy Home Staging Tips.