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Frequently Asked Questions
about Staging

1.  Why stage if my house has lots of amenities that surely a buyer will notice?

Your house is a product that is in competition with other houses for a buyer, so you have to show potential buyers "what could be" if they choose your house over the others.  This is why home stores show their products by placing comforters on beds and showcasing linens and dishes on tables.  They could just stack the products up neatly on shelves, but they know that the customer needs help in the imagination department!  It's called merchandising.  This is precisely what home staging is about.

2.  Why can't I just stage my own house?

It is a challenge for homeowners to be objective about a place they live in every day, a place that is already to their liking.  A professional stager can more easily view a space through "buyer's eyes" and therefore provide a balanced assessment of what might put off a potential buyer.  Once the "to do" list has been prioritized, many of the staging tasks can be done by the seller with additional guidance from the stager if needed.

3.  Is staging really worth the investment?

Yes!  You have to look at the cost with the big picture in mind.  Consider the cost of your house sitting on the market for a long time, of having to pay a mortgage and utilities each month, and of having to reduce your price if it sits too long.  Usually, sellers get back every dollar (and often, more) that they spend staging/updating on preparing the home for sale.  HomeGain's 2009 survey describes approximate return on investment for various staging/updating projects. Click on the chart to link to the full article.

4. How about I first try to sell my house and if that doesn't work, call you to stage it? 

The longer your house is on the market, the lower the price will be.  According to a National Association of Realtors survey, homes that sold after 4 weeks on the market sold for 6% less than ones within the first 4 weeks.  Don't be in a position to have to lower your prices -- stage your house BEFORE it goes on the market.