A few weeks ago I showed property to some very classy buyers. We saw several upscale homes and all were staged to "the nines." It was full-on model home and then some. I think my buyer's response will surprise you; it did me. Here it is:
"I'd prefer to see the home vacant, without all the frou-frous. Why doesn't the seller spend the money on something that would actually benefit the buyer?"
Yikes, does he have a point? After a deep breath or two I asked what he would prefer instead? Sit down, if you're not already doing so.
"For starters, I'd like to see the floors, not area rugs that do not stay. How about if the seller pays down my loan rate, or picks up some closing costs? Better yet, reduce the price."
I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers. I have used stagers several times in the last few years. With the slower market conditions homes are staying on the market longer, and staging does make them prettier and showcases space and decorating ideas. But my buyer is right; all that gorgeous "stuff" does not stay.
Buyers are looking for added value. Price and condition are still their hot buttons. At least in one buyer's opinion, staging is throwing money away. Money he would like to see invested in improving the property he purchases, or in his pocket via a price reduction.
Are we asking sellers to pay for a service buyers do not want?
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
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Norma, wow! I'll bet this one gets a reaction!
While I think that a well staged house (and I like a minimalist approach to staging), I agree with your buyers when it's overdone.
Patricia -- It may be too much of a hot potato as it did not show up on the blog roll. I guess AR is letting it cool off....
Norma, I think most buyers cannot picture a home with anything other than what the sellers' have in it. Most can't even picture different colors on the walls. Stick with staging - it works!
April -- My policy has always been to de-clutter (and re-arrange if necessary) an occupied house, and lightly stage a vacant home. I'm also big on a clean house and sparkling windows. I guess I'm lucky, most of my buyers are creative and great visualizers!
Seems agents love to do everything in excess, so I think it is vey possible.
Jim - You seem to agree with my buyer! I think moderation is the key.
It seems like there need to be a good balance. We feel that staging is important but you are right maybe it should just be a few things in the home and not dressed to the nines. We took buyers out yesterday and after looking at 12 homes it came down to good value, good schools and good location.
As a Stager I have to ask a couple questions: Where was the home located and what was the price point that you were showing the buyer?
The reason I ask these questions is that the Staging you are refering to may have been overdone, but was it a $500,000 "fixer" (in which case I agree that the home should have had repairs done instead of Staging) or was it a multi million $$$ home which warranted some extra "nines"?
Staging should enhance the home and draw attention to it's details, but Staging also helps to sell a "lifestyle". In this case, it seems you have a Buyer which is an exception to the rule. And that being that almost 90% of Buyers can't envision a home's potential, size, scale and/or get past the echos of a vacant house to see it for what it really is. This Staging (although it may have seemed overdone) will most likely appeal to that other 90%.
As they say Norma, everything in moderation. I thinkd sellers are starting to realize this tool attracts buyers and better offers if done properly.
This is where choosing the right stager comes in. We all know staging should feature the home and not the stuff in it. By looking at a stager's portfolio you should be able to determine what style of stager he or she is....a stager, or a decorator. Big difference. As Connie said the type of staging depends on the property and price point and good stagers are aware of these things. A high end home bare of style is not easy to sell. Strike the balance is the key. BTW Style and balance is something Ms. Tebyani is very good at!
If you take a step back and think about this scenario, the staging may have been what made the buyer want to visit the house in the first place.
Getting a buyer to visit is the first step in the sales process.