Selling Your Home? In Today’s Market, Home Staging is a ‘Must’

Why Stage?   Staging is no longer an optional consideration, it is a necessity!  Today’s market is a competitive one, long gone are the days when placing the “For Sale” sign meant a quick sale.  Realtors in the Leslieville area are frequently faced with multiple offer bids and bidding “parties”.  Buyers today have a wide range of options to choose from and most Realtors are more often than not using the services of a Home Stager or providing the service in house leaving buyers with high expectations.

Homes today on the market in the Leslieville area are on less than two weeks as compared to 30 days between 2006 – 2009.  Statistical data examined from the CREA reports that staged homes in Ontario sell for up to 5% above asking and in less time than those not staged.  The expectations of a quick sale demand that homes show well maintained and attractive.  Buyers insist that the homes they view be appealing and reflect an environment where they can imagine themselves living.  One should never assume that buyers can imagine themselves living in your home.  The average buyer sees a house precisely as it is, not what it could be.  It is redundant to have expectations that a buyer can see the potential of the home when the services of home staging can showcase the home’s potential for you.  Your home has to appeal to a wide variety of personalities yet also appear to be compatible to all.  This is difficult to achieve when there is both an emotional attachment and personal tastes involved.  The process is simplified by a Home Stager.

The reality is you have only seconds to make a first impression, Every detail within eyeshot of the first foot through the front door is observed, assessed and burned to memory from lighting to the scent of your home, buyers have preconceived ideas of what they are looking for and they will immediately notice any imperfection from the colour of your flooring to a mark on the sofa.  Although we all know the sofa isn’t part of the sale it leaves a lasting impression.  Buyers tend to refer to viewed homes by what they remember most, good or bad.

While the services of Home Stagers are relatively fresh, a lot of sellers are apprehensive for a myriad of reasons.  Some think it’s too expensive versus the return, others are intimidated or sensitive to being criticized.  Staging services can be tailored to meet the needs of the client and their finances, from full staging including furniture to select rooms or simply receiving a detailed report identifying any design dilemma and providing suggestions on how to stage the home independently.

Your Stager should be a partner in a collaborative effort to achieve results for you, facilitating a design strategy where you are working together rather than providing a one-way solution.  Your relationship with them should be one of comfort and reliance.  Don’t be afraid to request a meeting with the Stager prior to executing any agreement and request a quote up front for the services they offer.

A word to the wise, there is currently no existing legislation governing Home Staging, while there are volunteer organizations and associations or organizations with “Registered Staging Professionals”, they are in most cases provided to the Stager for a fee in exchange for their membership or registration as a professional.

Bottom line; all Home Stagers are subject to the Consumer Protection Act and Code of Ethics.  Often times your Realtor can help with referrals, but ultimately you have a choice and the most important factor in choosing a Stager is that you are comfortable and confident that whomever you choose has your best interests at heart and respects your opinions and those of your Realtor.

Personally, I  have staged events for Canadian Businesses, the entertainment, film and advertising industry and have been staging homes and cottages  for clients and realtors for almost 15 years.    My experiences have been positive and business evolved strictly through word of mouth and  successful results.  It all started at the urging of friends following a career change, I used to help them decorate their homes and was challenged with little or no budget.  I have seen homes flip in weeks at upwards of a  30% increase in sellling price with little to no investment.  It’s amazing what you can do with existing items you love and making the most of focal points.  Often a fresh eye can make the world of difference.  I have also had a few clients take their property off the market after staging claiming a renewed love of their home which led to the “Staging to stay” element of my business.  I am happy to provide a free assessment and answer any inquiries you may have.  My new web site is currently being updated, but I can be reached by email.

Carol Williams, EMBA, CID, Leslieville Home Staging & Concierge Service, stagethis@live.ca