Hi Christine,
I always stage my properties; well, nearly always as it depends on the value of the property, location, and how the property looks. Lots of my clients have “nice” homes. They are neat, clean, and show well; I use a staging service for the ones that don’t.
I was discussing my strategy with a colleague recently and he was shocked I did this. He said I was discriminating against some of my clients and that’s not good. It was my turn to be shocked. I am mortified to think someone might think this of me. So my question is this: Am I right that not every property needs a staging service? What is your opinion? I know you always want agents to work with stagers, and I do that, but I just don’t think they all need a stager. I thought I was helping my clients by not referring staging services in particular cases, but now I am just confused.
– Carole K., Ohio
Thanks for asking, Carole.
This question is often asked in the workshops I teach. A good stager will tell you that every property can benefit from staging – by a good stager. Carole, the problem emanates from the industry itself.
From its inception, staging grew as a cottage industry with a philosophy of clear the clutter, clear the counters, and clean. People started to think this is what a staged property looked like. The message was drilled into agents that staging really was “just” a word to encourage sellers to pack up early. It did make a difference back then, but today we have the internet and TV showing a very different view of staging. Sellers and buyers are greatly influenced by this. In fact, 96% of buyers now start their home search on the internet! Everyone expects more for their dollar; sellers want to sell quickly and for the most money, while buyers expect to find move-in ready homes.
We know more than 63% of buyers are willing to pay more money for a move-in ready property. If you don’t recommend how to properly prepare homes for sale, you may be inadvertently preventing those property owners from securing the most equity possible.
What does it mean to have a property “show well”? It’s not just about having nice stuff – it includes where everything is placed. Today staging is really emphasizing condition, maintenance, feelings, flow, placement, color-mapping strategies, function, space, and so much more. I hope this helps, Carole.
PS. I think you are really smart to not stage your listings yourself, as your time is better spent marketing the listing.
– originally published in Volume 8, Issue 4 of Staging Standard Magazine
- How to Avoid Stager Burnout - February 7, 2022
- Change Your Mind, Increase Your Business, Improve Your Life - December 12, 2019
- The Dilemma of Ethics - October 10, 2019
