Home staging has become an industry standard in many markets because it is a powerful marketing tool that makes homes not only sell faster, but at higher list prices. While many Realtors and real estate agents have adopted the practice of staging before they show, many believe the opposite, that they can sell their listings regardless of how they look.
If you want to waste time and money, then by all means, don’t stage. But honestly, who has time for that?
All you have to do is look at the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2019 Profiles of Home Staging to know that home staging is a proven advantage when selling a home. Here are some noteworthy statistics from the survey:
- 40% of buyers’ agents cited that home staging effected most buyers’ view of a home.
- 83% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.
- 28% of sellers’ agents said they staged all sellers’ homes prior to listing them. 13% noted that they only staged homes that were difficult to sell.
- The most common rooms that were staged included the living room (93%), kitchen (84%), master bedroom (78%), and the dining room (72%).
- A median of 10% of respondents cited that buyers felt homes should look the way they were staged on TV shows.
Where do you fall in line with these statistics? Whether you believe them or not, let’s explain why, as a Realtor, you should partner with a home stager.
A Home Stager Adds Value
When you include home staging with your services, you are instantly adding value to your client’s experience when working with you and your team. This shows that you care about the entire home selling process and not just the bottom line of what’s going in your pocket. By offering home staging you’re showing sellers that you have a higher standard! So, stay a step ahead of the competition by offering to stage your clients’ homes or they may go with another listing agent who does.
Home Staging Generates Listing Interest
More than 90% of home buyers start their search online, so it’s important to make sure your properties stand out among others listed. If staged, potential buyers are more likely to take their interest from online to the front door. Staged properties will attract more buyers because those photos will be more appealing to the eye.
Take a look through your MLS photos. What do your photos look like in comparison to others in the area? Did you just snap a photo and post it or did you take the time to set the scene? Smart agents know to take the time to showcase each property prior to getting professional photographs shot.
Staging Prevents Lower Pricing
When a home takes a long time to sell, one of the first things adjusted is the price, which usually takes a minimum of $10,000 off! Ouch…that not only hurts your clients’ pockets, but your own as well.
We all know there are three keys to selling a home: first, it must be priced right, but it must also be prepared to show and marketed properly. Before reducing the asking price, consider staging first. The cost of staging is usually a fraction of a price reduction. In most cases, home staging can actually save the homeowner money or make even more!
Home Stagers Can Play the Bad Cop
Don’t you hate it when you have to play “bad cop” on a listing appointment?Walking the fine line between trying to gain a client while avoiding those awkward conversations that will offend clients is no easy task. Why jeopardize the opportunity to represent the listing when mentioning:
- “you need to remove the kitchen’s decades-old wallpaper”
- “the forest green carpet has to go”
- “we need to remove the litter boxes and take care of the smell”
- “your entire life’s collection has to be put away”
Get the point? At Staged Interior, we specialize in having conversations about fixing up a home as part of preparing for staging it. As outsiders, we use objective advice, which sometimes means we become your very own “bad cop.”
Home Staging Can Grow Your Brand
As a real estate agent, you know the importance of standing out. Competition is stiff and you need a way to build and maintain your image and reputation.
Ask yourself: Do you want to be an average agent or are you striving for excellence? The word “excellence” means to possess outstanding quality. Isn’t that what you want to promote to your clients? Do you want them to feel that you will take the best care of their home while on the market?
We thought so. Here at Staged Interior, our homes are staged so they will photograph beautifully and practically market themselves online. Our staging will make sure each of your listings shines while on the MLS. By staging and taking pride in your marketing tactics, you will show how passionate and competent you are about your business.
Potential clients will take notice how you take ownership of your listings. They’ll see how your listings are in pristine condition, sell quickly, and in many cases over asking price. Those results will make you a prime candidate when they want to sell. Overall, you will not only look like a hero in your current clients’ eyes, but you will be able to attract more leads and build a trustworthy brand all because you offer all your clients home staging referrals.
Learn more about how to team up with our company, Staged Interior, today. We can be your partner in making your property look its best for potential buyers.
