Home staging (decorating your home to entice buyers) may seem counterintuitive at first blush, but evidence shows that it is usually well worth the effort. On average, staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more than nonstaged homes, which is quite remarkable.
But, how much does this home staging really cost?
Most home stagers charge between $300 to $600 for an initial design consultation and $500 to $600 per month per staged room. While this might sound expensive, think about the amount you'll have to spend on bills of the house every month it stays vacant. Investing in home staging will be well worth it as it will help buyers envision how great your living room looks with a little classy furniture and some tasteful decor.
What Can Make Staging Cost More?
While most home stagers use the knickknacks and art that the homeowner already owns, there are some instances when they may need to buy new accessories such as towels, flowers, and/or fruit, which really make a big difference.
If the house is empty, the home staging cost would include rental fees for every stick of furniture and all furnishing and decor items from a stager. Another important expense to ensure staging success is the price of painting a room. A fresh coat in a 12-by-12-foot room around $200 for a DIYer, or $400 to $700 if left to the pros.
How Can You Save?
There's no need to pay a home stager to transform your whole house. The greatest way to save money is to focus on the main areas of the home where potential buyers would spend the most time in. These include the kitchen, living room, dining room, and master bedroom. You'll also need to pay attention to what the buyers see the moment they step in the front door.
Another way to save cost is to limit yourself to an initial consultation with a home stager, instead of the full-service staging. You may also ask your real estate agent if they think your home would benefit from home staging. The agent may also recommend an affordable home staging service or offer some cost-saving tips besides staging, based on their experience showing real estate to buyers.
But the biggest cost saver is selling your home faster, at a better price, and without months of carrying costs--because your home was properly staged and buyer-ready.
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