How to get the most bang for your buck AND get your house sold!
I get it. My absolute least favorite way to spend money is on something that is not a necessity and that I don’t really want. Prime example: the car is running perfectly fine but the mechanic is saying it needs an $800 fix- well that’s frustrating because I don’t see anything wrong with the car and would much rather keep my $800. However, I am smart enough to know that if I don’t get the $800 fix now, it’s going to end up costing me a lot more down the road and quite possibly leave me stranded on the side of the road someday. The same goes for home staging.
If your house is empty and you would like to sell it for maximum price and quickly, you need to stage it. (Let me say that one more time)
If your house is empty and you would like to sell it for maximum price and quickly, you need to stage it. Staging is your best shot at getting max price, multiple offers, and a quick, closing sale.
But Erin, houses are selling like hotcakes in my area right now! Why waste my money and bother with staging? Sure, if you’re in a hot market, your vacant home might still sell quickly. That said, I tell my clients all the time: staging is the difference between one offer and 10. Below asking and a bidding war. Having your pick of cash offers, quick closings, above market value, multiple back up offers or taking the one lonely offer you get- and crossing your fingers that they don’t back out.
Unlike auto repairs, I’ve got great news:
You will SAVE and MAKE money by staging your home. Here are 3 reasons why and tips on how to do it right:
1. Your buyer will be more emotionally invested, meaning you will have to pay less for repairs, and you will close.
Home stagers are professional decorators. They know how to make a house look like a million bucks! Potential buyers will fall in love with the feeling they get when walking through your home- and they won’t be as likely to notice (or care) that the floor slopes a little in the master or the kitchen needs a bit of updating.
Most of my clients choose to leave the staging in the home throughout the inspection process. This way every time the buyer comes to the home, they fall in love with it all over again for sure. They can see themselves living there. They imagine where they’ll put their things (likely similarly to how it’s been staged) They may even ask you for your stager’s information so they can inquire about purchasing some of the staging. When that happens, you know they’re invested and you’re deal is very likely to go through.
2. You don’t have to stage the entire house!
3. You will sell faster and for more money
The value staging provides is far greater than the expense. Our average staged home goes under contract in less than a week here in Nashville, TN.
Our staged homes almost always close. We often are contacted from buyers about purchasing furniture. Most of our clients are investors who know a thing or two about making money. If professional investors and home flippers are spending money on staging, isn’t that a good indicator that it’s the way to go?
I know it’s hard to spend money on something you don’t have to. I promise you if you want the best shot at success selling your vacant home, staging is the way to go! Good luck!!
