Advantage of Hiring a Professional Stager

What is the advantage of hiring a professional stager? The goal when selling a home is to sell quickly and of course, close to the asking price.

Why a Professional Stager

You decide to put your house on the market. Your agent has given you general advice. What needs to be accomplished can get lost in translation. To gain the advantage in the market, the presentation has to resonate with buyers. A professional stager knows what the market demands. They know how to create the best presentation and help sellers understand why it is important.

Can you prepare a home on your own? Sure are you objective enough to view your home as a buyer would? If the objectivity is lost in translation, it causes some common mistakes that can cost a lot of money when selling.

Providing decorating advice versus a marketing strategy

Staging is NOT decorating; it is creating a marketing strategy for the property. A professional stager focuses on showcasing the best features of a property. A designer considers your personal likes and creates a look for you- not for buyers.  Our goal is to consider the camera’s eye. To project spacious, useful rooms that buyers can connect to.

Free Consults

The saying “you get what you pay for” reigns true here. The first critical step to assessing a property for the market is reviewing the entire property through a consult. This is a value-rich assessment of a property. The seller will receive recommendations to motivate and prioritize what is essential to “package” their home.

A simple checklist of assessments do not prioritize recommendations

Analyzing and prioritizing helps the presentation of the product. Reviewing a property with respect to market trends, and buyer’s wish lists. The what and why are reviewed to help the seller make the best financial decisions that will benefit them. Receiving a list of things that should be done, does not give them directive as to set priorities and how to accomplish.

Not addressing sensitive topics

Many times Real Estate Agents and untrained stagers do not address sensitive topics about a property. Handling difficult conversation with home sellers is what a professional stager helps with. We understand how people hold their properties near and dear to themselves. We also know one negative impression can override a list of positive factors and prevent a sale. What are sensitive issues?

• odors
• cleanliness
• unattractive dated décor
• religious items
• clutter
• provocative art
• religious items
• the color on walls

All of these are difficult to discuss.  Avoiding issues is not an excuse, and avoiding them can lead to costly mistakes when selling.

Fail to Motivate a Client with an Action Plan

A prepared property presents better and is easier to show to buyers. It is essential to motive the seller to follow through with the recommendations to prepare their home for the market. These recommendations may feel overwhelming to accomplish. A professional stager will assist the seller by prioritizing what needs to be accomplished. A trained professional is a serious business owner and an expert in design planning and problem-solving. The goal is to allow the seller to succeed in selling faster and for top dollar.

A professional stager helps the seller understand the recommendations needed to create a solid presentation, seeing the importance and benefit from the direction given. An agent that recommends staging to a client emerges as the professional that sells properties quickly and for top dollar.

Additional Reading:

How to Make Your House Look Great for the MLS 

Photography

Marketing your Home In Today’s Market