Home staging has become an increasingly popular trend in the real estate industry. As a realtor and someone who has dabbled in home staging in Colorado, I have seen first hand how it can make a significant impact on the sale of a home. In this post, I will explain why home staging should be a consideration when selling your home, and provide examples of potential costs and returns on investment.

It is essential to understand what home staging is, so let’s start there. Home staging is the process of preparing a home for sale by arranging furniture, decor, and accessories to make the home more appealing to potential buyers. The goal of home staging is to showcase the home’s best features, to depersonalize it so that they can visualize themselves in this new space, and create an emotional connection with them, ultimately leading to a quicker and more profitable sale. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shown completely vacant homes, and my buyer clients think they’re furniture won’t fit… But then we measure and they have more space than they thought.

One of the main benefits of home staging is that it can increase the value of your home. A study conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that on average, staged homes sold for 17% more than non-staged homes. This is a significant return on investment, considering the average cost of home staging is typically between 1% to 3% of the home’s asking price, or is sometimes based on square footage or how many rooms will be staged.

Another benefit of home staging is that it can reduce the time your home spends on the market. A well-staged home can make a great first impression and attract more potential buyers, resulting in quicker offers and a faster sale. This is particularly important in today’s real estate market, where homes are selling quickly and competition is high.

The cost of home staging can vary depending on the scope of the project and the home’s size. A full home stage, which includes furniture rental and decor, can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more. However, it is important to remember that this is an investment in the sale of your home, and the potential return on investment can far outweigh the initial cost. Some Realtors, like myself might even offer to pay for this service for you, or split the cost.

For example, let’s say your home is listed for $500,000. Investing in a full home stage at a cost of $5,000 could potentially increase the value of your home to $585,000 (17% more than the asking price), resulting in a profit of $80,000. In this scenario, the return on investment is 16 times the initial cost of home staging.

Another benefit of home staging is that it can help your home stand out in a competitive market. When potential buyers are viewing multiple homes, a well-staged home can leave a lasting impression and make your home more memorable. This can lead to increased interest and offers on your home, ultimately resulting in a quicker and more profitable sale.

Additionally, home staging can help buyers visualize themselves living in the home. By creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, home staging can help buyers imagine how they would use the space and make the home their own. This emotional connection can be a powerful tool in the home buying process and can ultimately lead to a higher offer.

It’s important to note that even if you don’t choose to invest in a full home stage, there are still simple staging techniques you can implement to help your home show better. These may include digital staging, where a professional photographer can add the decor and furniture to the empty photos, or decluttering and depersonalizing the space, repainting walls with neutral colors, and making minor repairs and upgrades. You can check out my other post: Preparing Your Home To Sell for more ideas on that. These simple staging techniques can still make a significant impact on the sale of your home without breaking the bank.

Overall, home staging should be a consideration for any homeowner looking to sell their home. By investing in a full home stage or implementing simple staging techniques, you can increase the value of your home, reduce time on the market, and make your home more appealing to potential buyers. As a realtor and avid DIYer in Colorado, I have seen firsthand how effective home staging can be. If you’re looking for any recommendations, feel free to reach out and I’m happy to talk you through it!