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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Staging?
Staging is preparing your home for sale. It is a marketing tool to show your property at its absolute best. Staging can involve many different aspects, such as decluttering, rearranging furniture, adding furniture, and possibly suggested repair to the property.
Here are the types of staging that we at Staging Made Simple offer:
• Consultation - If you are living in your property while it is being marketed and need advice on what to do, you may want to begin with a consultation. This means we walk through and around the property with you, and make you a "To Do" list as we go so that you know exactly what needs to be done. This is done on a per hour basis. We recommend an appointment of no longer than two and a-half hours, so that everything is clearly laid out for the plan. If additional time is needed, scheduling a follow up appointment works best.
• Staging for Occupied Properties (aka Interior Redesign) - If you just want a team of experts to come in and make it look great without having to do anything yourself, Staging Made Simple’s staff can handle it all for you. We will rearrange your existing furnishings, utilizing interior design, feng shui and staging principles for the best results. If necessary, we can also help you to coordinate with handy-man type services for updates and repairs. The end result is so amazing, many clients exclaim they wish that they had done it long ago!
• Staging for Vacant Properties - If your home is vacant while it is being marketed, Staging Made Simple can furnish your property to really shine compared to the competition. We can stage just a few key areas for the "wow" when buyers walk in, or we can stage the entire home for maximum impact. We suggest that the main living areas such as kitchen, living/family rooms or great rooms and the master suites are “must” areas, and highly recommend any awkward spaces as well, so that people understand how the spaces can be used. We will happily work within the sellers budget to get the best "bang for the buck". There is no charge to do a bid for this type of service, so please contact us to see what the charge for this service will cost.
Why should I Stage?
It is proven that homes sell faster and for more money than homes that have not been Staged. Statistics vary by area, but nationally, staged homes sell on average twice as fast as "unstaged" properties. Also, the increased price on a Staged home is between 6%-20% higher--sometimes more.
This works at every price point. A staged home shines when compared to others in a comparable area, often displaying more style and care shown than other similarly priced properties. It’s all about creating an inviting home that is irresistible to buyers, no matter what the budget. The investment of staging has huge returns, energetically, monetarily, and emotionally for everyone involved.
Sellers feel good about their property, knowing it is being shown at its best. They often get a higher sales price in the process. Agents feel confident in showing staged properties, since they know what a difference it makes. An increase in sales price equates to a higher commission as well. Buyers get the benefit of falling in love with their house at first sight.
What does ASP mean? IAHSP?
ASP stands for Accredited Staging Professional. ASP's have gone through training with Stagedhomes.com, founded by Barb Schwarz. Staging is a Federally Trademarked term, and can only be used legally by ASP's. ASP is a designation that Stagers have earned through education, as well as being a part of the affiliation. IAHSP stands for International Association of Home Staging Professionals, and is an additional affiliation that ASP's may belong to.How is Staging different from interior design?
Interior Design is a very valuable service, making a house into a home-personalizing it for the owners. Staging is the opposite! Although Staging is done to show the home at it's very best, it is a way to "depersonalize" the home into a house. Staging turns the home into a sellable product where potential buyers can visualize themselves living in the home. As a seller, you want buyers to look at the house, not the furniture! If you are interested in interior design services, please contact Stephanie for an appointment.When do I Stage?
Staging your home for sale should be done before the home is listed on the market. This way, your home starts off looking the best it can, which brings in buyers faster! If you have already listed your home, it can absolutely still be Staged, and you will most likely notice a big difference in the way your home is received!Do I need to Stage the whole house?
Yes! And no. If your home is being lived in, and fully furnished, it is important to pay attention to the entire home and property. You can't ignore closets and storage areas, since buyers will be looking everywhere! They need to know that the home will work for them, so all areas should be addressed. If your home is vacant, then you have a few options. You can either fully furnish the residence, or do "vignette" Staging, which utilizes furnishings to suggest the use of the space, but is not as heavily furnished as full Staging. Also, you have the option to Stage the most important areas of a home, leaving other areas undone. In the majority of the homes we stage, we concentrate on the main living areas, such as family room, kitchen, dining room, den, and the master suite. We recommend focusing on these areas, as well as any “odd” rooms. The secondary bedrooms show well, but aren’t always necessary. We will give you an assessment when we look at the space. The property needs to be CLEAN. Dirt and smells diminish the home's appeal, which may lead to a price reduction!How much does Staging cost?
Less than your first price reduction! The cost can vary and depends on the size of the home, and what needs to be accomplished. The best way to find out for your own space is to call or email for a bid. There is no charge for a bid, and you will have a much better idea of what it would cost to actually Stage. The other option is to have a consultation, where you can ask questions and obtain a detailed report on what is recommended to best show your property. There is a fee for the consultation, and is based on the size of the home. A typical consultation is anywhere from $100-$500.How long does Staging take?
Depending on what is involved to Stage the property, it can be done in is little as a day. If painting or other repair work needs to be done, it will take longer. If you are having a vacant property Staged, most property can be done in a day, with larger properties taking two to three days on average. Please call or email for a bid to find out exactly how long your home would take.What if my house is vacant?
It is an absolutely wonderful idea to Stage a vacant home. Often buyers will walk in and out of a vacant property, since it lacks the warmth and direction that a furnished home has. Staging can help! Furniture and accessories can be utilized from our inventory for short periods of time while your home is being marketed, and really makes the home so much more appealing. Buyers can then imagine how they themselves would use the space, rather than guessing what the room would look like furnished.What do I need to know for Staging day?
1. First, please make sure the property is completely clean. Completely. Clean.
2. Make sure that any of your valuables are tucked safely away. Although your Stager will absolutely treat your items with the best of care, you want to make sure that anyone walking through your home is not tempted by anything left out.
3. Make sure you have packing materials ready for anything that may need to be packed away. We are not professional movers, so although we will make recommendations, and work with you on what should be packed, we do not do the packing ourselves.
