To Stage or not to Stage….

It’s often a question most sellers will ponder when preparing to sell their homes; is staging really worth it? The buyer isn’t buying your stuff; they’re buying your house, so why does your furniture arrangement matter? I’m sure they will look right past your personal collections and family photos, right?

This is a huge misconception as the fact is most buyers form an opinion of a home within the first 15 seconds. So with only seconds to get their attention, it’s crucial that buyers have the best impression of your home possible. So here are my top 5 reasons why home staging is a necessity;

1. Technology has created a new way of how buyers shop for real estate. Research indicates that 77% of buyers will look for a home online and decide if they want to book a showing based on the location, size, price, and photos. This means your home has to “out show” the competition with captivating photography just to get a buyer in the door.
2. Once they arrive at the property, a buyer only spends on average of 5-15 minutes in your home. That doesn't give a lot of time to make a good impression. You want to ensure the home is staged to showcase and draw attention to its best features. You don’t want a potential buyer to walk in the door, notice your porcelain clown collection and spend the entire showing viewing it as opposed to the wonderful kitchen, or the walk-in closet.
3. Statistics show that 90% of buyers cannot visualize furniture placement or potential the home has. For example, an unfurnished bedroom maybe a good size but if there isn’t a bed, chest of draws, already in the room, the buyer will question if their furnishings will fit or work in the space.
4. Staging helps the buyer to emotionally connect with your home. By removing personal items that show the house as your family’s home, you allow a buyer to envision their family in the house; it allows the buyer to mentally move in, not move on.
5. The longer your house is on the market, the lower the selling price will be. A well-staged home spends 50% less time on the market, and research shows staged homes sell for at least 7% more than a comparable, non-staged home.

When it comes to selling your largest investment its more than just advertising; you need to maximize your house’s potential by showcasing its best features and create that “love at first sight” feeling. With a small investment, a little work, and your Northumberland Real Estate Advisor, you’ll get most out of the sale of your house in as little as time as possible.

For more information on Northumberland Real Estate or my home staging services, you can contact me any time at 905-375-0662 or pennington.remax@gmail.com