Staging to Sell: Home Staging: The Unbiased Opinion

In today’s real estate market, is it possible that home staging is no longer a luxury? With the media now beginning to educate home sellers everywhere about the home staging process and the internet getting e-blasted with home staging schools and home staging companies, it’s no wonder home staging has become an essential part of the marketing process. Many times you will lose the sale of your un-staged home if your competition right around the corner has taken the time and expense to stage their home. A staged home will usually always have the competitive edge over the un-staged home.
There is usually no argument with regards to whether or not home staging is a vital piece of the marketing puzzle, but rather whether or not home staging should be completed by the home owner or by a professional staging service. The argument is more often, “Why can’t I just stage my own home?” You could stage your home, however, keep in mind that the “unbiased opinion” will be absent. More times than you even realize, you will talk yourself right out of packing away those family photos, heirlooms, and over-crowded furnishings. There may be certain flaws you have seen so often you hardly notice them anymore. You will assume that everyone will love the beautiful choice of colors you have painted on the wall and your carefully planned home decor because after all, you thought they were perfect. The truth is too much personality can hinder any possible potential for a quick home sale. The lack of “model home” appeal can do the same. The unbiased opinion is a fresh eye (and nose) that will come in and politely, yet constructively, offer solutions to any areas that need to be addressed before placing your home on the market. There should always be appeal with out too much personality as well as functionality for a home to be staged with excellence.
The trained professional in his or her expertise will always do his job best. The realtor is trained to sell homes. The painter is trained to paint homes. The landscaper landscapes etc. If you are considering selling your home and would like to have it professionally staged, hire a well trained stager.