WHY NOT STAGE YOUR RHODE ISLAND OCCUPIED LISTING?
IF YOU ARE HESITANT TO CALL A STAGER, YOU NEED TO READ THIS!!
As a Home Stager in Providence, I have been hired to prepare many occupied homes to get ready for sale.
Even in this current sellers market, and sparse inventory, it has become a necessity to present your home in its best possible light. Staging your home will give you a marketing edge and most likely produce multiple offers and a higher selling price. Don’t leave money on the table.
TIP: If you or your agent thinks: “It’s good enough” that is a clue to call in a Stager!
I would like to address 4 reasons a homeowner might hesitate to professionally stage their home for sale.
4 Main Concerns Sellers Have about Staging an Occupied Home.
1. You will still be living there and are confused how to maintain the “stage” for showings. How do I function in a “staged” home?
2. You don’t want to get rid of personal belongings and have no idea what to do with them.
3. You worry about the cost and don’t want to spend the money…you don’t know how long it will take your home to sell.
4. You might be embarrassed by the state of your home and hesitate to let a stager in.
Concern #1 How do I continue to live in a “staged” home?
As an experienced stager, I am sensitive about the lifestyle of your family, and will take into account their daily needs. My approach strikes a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
When it comes to Occupied Staging, I will explain the process and expectations.
Staging for an Occupied home is very different from staging a Vacant home. When it comes to staging a home you will still be living in, the approach is more of “Home Preparation” and repositioning of furnishings and decor you already own.
The definition of Occupied staging is: Preparing your home for sale by using your existing furnishings and decor whenever possible.
We are experts in rearranging furniture and making recommendations to remove items that inhibit flow and aesthetics. We will use your decor/furnishings that are presentable or can be updated with simple, inexpensive purchases (throw pillows, throw blanket). If it is recommended to remove a worn rug, this is not a personal request, but one that a stager knows will improve the appeal of that room.
The suggestions made will consider how the family uses each room and what items are necessary for daily functioning. We will provide the template that you will maintain for showings. So, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Concern #2: What do I do with my things? Where do I start?
You don’t need to “get rid of” personal belongings, just pack them up to keep them safe. I will explain the process and reasoning behind the 3 steps of “Home Preparation”.
It is necessary to do “Home Preparation” before “Staging” can be done.
The 3 “Home Preparation” steps are:
1)Decluttering 2)Depersonalization 3)Deep Cleaning
1) Decluttering is simply removing any furniture or decor that does not serve a daily function and/or can be consolidated in another area/cabinet/closet. It involves clearing all floors and surfaces (dressers, countertops) of items and organizing them in drawers//bins/baskets or discarding any that are not being used or expired.
2) Depersonalization refers to packing up personal items: family photos; cultural or religious artifacts; sports memorabilia etc. These recommendations are not indicative of the feelings or biases of the stager. These suggestions are optional, but come from a place of experience and knowledge of buyer preferences/demographics. This step helps you disengage from the home you have decided to sell.
You do not have to discard any sentimental items, but just pack them away for the move. The reason for this step is so the buyer can envision their belongings in the home. The last thing you want is for the buyers’ view to be obstructed from seeing how their items will fit and look in the room. Believe me, when selling your home you’ll want to minimize buyer objections. This strategy has a psychological basis, involving perceptions and non-verbal cues. The goal is to present a neutral, uncluttered home.
3) Deep Cleaning can only occur when the first 2 steps are completed. Once there are clear paths and uncluttered spaces, it will be easier to wash the floors, dust every surface and clean all cracks and crevices. Savvy buyers might get down low and swipe their finger on a surface, you never know! Also, when these 3 steps are completed, your home will shine and say: “my owner took care of me”.
A stager can guide and coach you through the “Home Preparation” steps, and will give you a clear map and list of tasks. This is also known as a “Staging Consultation” or DIY option. (2 hour session).
Also available is a full service option, including both “Home Preparation” and Staging, in a 4 hour session (3-4 rooms).
Staging puts the finishing touches on the “Home Preparation” work you have done.
Concern #3: The cost is probably out of my budget.
Although you can’t put a price on the outcome and benefit of professional staging, the cost is minimal as compared to your potential return on investment. This will become obvious when the photos of your professionally staged home draw increased online attention with the likelihood of multiple/higher offers.
If you opt for the “Home Preparation” service, (DIY option), the cost is:
$350.00 (2 hours- up to 4 rooms), each additional room is $50.00 per room.
For the “Home Preparation and Staging” service (both done with the Stager), the cost is:
$600.00 (4 hours- up to 4 rooms), each additional room is $75.00 per room.
One significant benefit of preparing your home for the “stage”, is to get a huge jump on packing so you will be ready to move as the offers roll in! I have developed an efficient system to guide you through the decluttering and packing process.
If your home sells quicker and for more money, wouldn’t staging your occupied home be worth the minimal investment?
Objection #4: Being embarrassed by the condition of your home.
A stager is there to get your home in its best possible shape to capture eye-catching photographs to post online. We are all on the same team with the goal to help you get the best sale price and close as quickly as possible.
Stagers are non-judgmental. We are there as professionals to do a job and make the selling process as stress-free as possible. We are focused on the end result. I love the challenge of transforming occupied homes that you will be proud to show potential buyers.
Who knows, you might love the end result so much you would consider staying! (many sellers have actually said this).
Here are some examples of Interior Decorating NE occupied staging results.
Ask your realtor to recommend a Rhode Island stager that will make this process as stress-free as possible.
