Staging a home can be an effective strategy to help buyers envision themselves there.
When selling, experts say staging often results in homes selling fast and sometimes for over the asking price.
“Your house is the competition and so your house has to stand out,” said Shell Broadnax, CEO and founder of the Real Estate Staging Association.
Of course, nothing is ever guaranteed. You could invest in staging and not see a boost in the sale price.
When deciding whether to hire a stager or how much to invest in the process, ask yourself and your real estate agent some key questions.
Questions to consider about staging
- How much of a budget can I afford to invest in staging?
- How fast are homes moving in my market? Will staging help the house move off the market faster?
- Are homes typically selling for more or less than the asking price in my market?
- Does my real estate agent help with staging or have a stager?
- Can you stage your own home? What is your experience in home design?
How to go about hiring a stager
If you decide to move forward, ask your real estate agent and people in your network whom they might recommend. Ask around your neighborhood, too. If they don’t have any suggestions, then turn to the internet.
As you interview candidates, ensure you are aligned in your vision and budget. Discuss what you are willing to spend and what their rates are. Consulting for staging typically starts around $250. If you need to rent furniture or decor from a stager for a vacant listing, that will often cost more. The cost to stage can vary significantly, so when you are looking to hire, be sure to have those conversations up front.
Stagers can help detach your personality from a space. As an outsider, they can see your home with fresh eyes and market it to its fullest potential. They are experts in their craft. Because they stage multiple homes, they should know what works and what can be skipped. Most stagers have supplies that they will rent or lend you while your home is on the market, which saves you from buying decor or items you don’t want or need.
Pros of hiring a stager
- Home might sell faster
- Home might sell over asking price
- Could increase the number of buyers looking at your home
- Objective and professional perspective
- Design input for your home
- Takes work and some stress off you
Cons of hiring a stager
- Costly
- Potential loss of investment
- Takes time to stage
- Limited ability to personalize to tastes
- Could not impact time on the market or sale cost
It's okay to take the time to interview stagers, just as you would with real estate agents. Here are some questions to guide your process.
Questions for stagers
- How many homes have you staged?
- On average, how much do you charge for staging (occupied or vacant) homes?
- What does your service include?
- How long will it take you to stage my home?
- Do you offer rented items, and if so, do you have liability insurance in case of damage?
- How do you handle staging with kids and pets in the house?
- Do you offer color consulting for painting?
- Do you help coordinate real estate photos?
- What is the average number of days properties you stage are on the market?
- How often do homes that you stage sell above the asking price?
What to do if you don't hire a stager
If you decide not to hire a stager, there are steps you can take to make the home presentable to a future buyer. There are numerous free resources available online, including those at Homes.com.
You also do not have to stage. Staging is a marketing tool, but if your home is already highly sought after, you might not need to take extra action.