How Home Stagers Work
How Home Stagers Work
by Teri Danahey, ASP/REALTOR
Barb Schwarz, founder of Staged Homes, says "An investment in home staging is far less than the first price reduction on a home that doesn't sell!"
A consultation with a stager typically lasts about two hours and costs about $350, on average, Schwarz says. The stager prepares a detailed list of ways to improve the for-sale home. A full staging, in which the stager will perform all the work involved, generally will cost from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the size of the home, and homes up to 3,200 square feet can typically be staged in a day, Schwarz said. Stagers will typically supply furniture and home accessories for an additional charge.
Homeowners who stage their properties can realize big returns for their small investment, she says, citing the example of one homeowner who sold a home for $400,000 more than the original listing price after paying for $25,000 worth of staging improvements.
You can find an accredited home stager in your area on http:// www.StagedHomes.com
Some real estate agents carry a staging accreditation and have two additional benefits for the homeseller:
- Agents show homes to buyers in the local market area and know specifically what buyers want and how they differ from neighborhood to neighborhood
- Agents with a staging accreditation are prohibited from charging a fee and will generally include this valuable service with the listing
Note: Teri Danahey is an Accredited Home Stager (ASP) – Realtor. As an ASP, she is able to consult at no charge with sellers on the most desirable presentation of their home for marketing purposes.
