Do I need to use a Home Stager? Home Staging Costs and Types Part 2 of 4

YOUR HOUSE IS NEVER MORE VALUABLE THAN THE FIRST DAY IT HITS THE MARKET!  SO IT NEEDS TO LOOK ITS BEST ON DAY 1 !

In today's Digital Media Marketing you are in visual competition instantly as soon as your home hits the MLS. 

As you can see at a click of a button everyone can see your home and what it looks like compared to others.  They can see if it is neat clean and updated, and also if it is cluttered and needs TLC. 

So what can a home stager do for you the home owner.  Staging make you money, it creates a strong marketing image.  Stagers work in both occupied and vacant situation. The first step with staging starts with a consultation.  These consultations can range anywhere from 150.00 - 300.00 per hour, usually with a two hour minimum.  After the consultation  the stager  gives you all of the suggestion on what to do to improve your home or they can do it all for you.   Some stagers have their own furniture along with accessories.  Other stagers use furniture rental companies for their projects and rent you their own accessories.  Furniture rental is usually for a three month period of time and than can be rented one month at a time. 

Hiring a stager actually frees up your realtor to market your home and negotiate the offers that come in...they don't have to worry about getting your home presentable for the market.

The cost of staging varies for region to region.  You can get a ball park figure on the actual cost of staging by multiplying 1.25 per square foot of the rooms that you are going to stage.  You have to add in delivery fees, furniture and accessory fees and floor plan fees. 

Home Stagers are  visual marketers and they market your home according to the demographic that the realtor is focusing on. 

As recent as last week we were asked to view a vacant property for sale by owner.  We went to the property prepared our proposal according to the homeowners recommendations; which was living area, dining area, master bedroom and all bathrooms.  Our proposal included all the furnishings, rugs, accessories and art work staging and delivery. Are all in cost for the staging was $3,635. He declined and decided to do it himself.  Realtors had advised him it was not necessary to do a full staging.  See link of home staged by homeowner.  The home has four bedrooms but showing only dining seating for 4, entertainment seating for 3.  It is not portraying the homes potential, instead it is showing the potential buyer that there is very little living space.  So be mindful in taking recommendations from no professional home stagers. 

Showing a home  vacant is like showing off your naked body it better be perfect!

Here are some photo's of what staging can produce. With working with the home owner stagers are able to make the best use of the space and highlight notable features.  If you are going to hire a home stager make sure the staging company has insurance and is certified.  A good reference to find a stager in your area is RESA, Real Estate Stating Association.  Follow link for a listing in your area.

Lastly use a good real estate photographer . 

Here are some before and after photo's of work we did this past year!

 

I hope this was helpful to you...remember first impressions count.  For more information you can contact me  by following this link send me your questions.  If you didn't read part one of the four part series I have attached the link to part one.

Corinne

  

A Home Away From Home

How many people dream of owning a beach house?  I had the great fortune of staging a beautiful home in Long Beach Island New Jersey.  I fell in love with this home.....I could just picture myself entertaining on the multi  level decks that this house has.

This is 9309 North Susan Lane Long Beach Township NJ

Sunday after noon bloody Mary's ready and waiting for you in this beautiful kitchen fully equipped.

This house is turn key ready! All of the furnishing inside and out come with this house.  Enjoy the tour...

Multi Levels 

Open Floor Plan which is great for a crowd

Lots of prep space 

Plenty of extra seating

Comfy seating all brand new

French doors lead into the wicker room - great for reading or watching some TV 

Second level deck....plenty of seating...comes with red comfy cushions

Imagine strolling outside to smell the salt air on a summer morning

We choose  SW Rain - SW6219 although we never want to see rain down the shore

We added new fixtures and mirror mates to this bathroom 

Queen size bed for an extra couple~  painted in SW Sea Salt SW 6204

How much fun would your kids have in this light house room.  Painted in SW Take Five SW6513

This room can be set up with two twins or two sets of bnnks...for the extra company that you will have

Full bath all new fixtures

Sun set over the bay on the top deck 

Sunset off the master suite 

Staging by Harmonizing Homes

Resources

Pictures by Motion City Media -Motion City Media

Listing by Van Dyke Group- rob@vandykgroup.com

Paint by Sherwin Williams 

Design  By Harmonizing Homes - Harmonize Homes, LLC 

Visit us on Facebook -Face Book Harmonize Homes

Another House???

 I am starting to think that we are abnormal in the amounts of moves that we have done over the past years...is it that we get bored or is it the current situations and necessities?


I'm not sure...but we are on the move again...I think...if all goes well with final inspections and closings. We will be out of this home by the first week in July.

This is a bitter sweet move as I will miss the views and the people in the neighborhood... Its a vacation atmosphere most of the year.  Folks walking their dogs carrying a beverage at the end of the day....folks stopping by while passing on their bikes to chat for a bit....It is a close net community.  

We needed more space to grow our business....so it really is all good.  With any move there are always lots to do....we need to find a home to rent until about November before we can get into the home that we are buying....

I also always find it funny with what people want from your home.  This couple wanted our chairs in the front lawn.

And my drop leaf table...pictured below... I'll give up the chairs but I had to say no on the table...This table went from our 1850 Farm house to 276 Riverside Drive in NYC to 320 West 83rd NYC to 21 River Road Toms River to 9 Bayshore Drive.  There are only two pieces that have traveled the distance with us and this is one of them that I couldn't give up.

I'll keep you posted as to the move as it happens...for now I'm soaking in the views and enjoying our last days here at 9 Bayshore Drive..

If you are in the neighborhood stop in ....

Photos by Motion City Media - Motion City Media
Design by Harmonizing Homes -Harmonizing Homes