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Kathryn Messina, Real estate agent in the greater New England area (Real Estate 360 Now)

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Rainmaker
5,772,587
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kathryn,

This is a huge question, and many of the stagers on AR have written brilliant posts on the subject, Kathy Streib and Sharon Tara two we follow.  

I think that staging a home will assure less days on the market when done right, and although some live in a cluttered environment and like it, potential buyers do not appreciate it.  A

Apr 30, 2018 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

staging is a necessity....it's expected by buyer clients..... and strongly suggested by listing agents to homeowners..... 'the eye buys'

Apr 30, 2018 12:20 PM
Ambassador
5,851,444
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Kathryn- Anything that a seller can do to improve the appearance and condition of their property can help, especially painting, cleaning and editing what they have. In our worse market in 2008, properties that we consulted on had contracts in 4-6 weeks if they were priced properly. 

Apr 30, 2018 12:32 PM
Rainmaker
902,038
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Most sellers of non-mega buck homes decline professional services due to high costs. As listing agent, I tried to help them on my own. Clutter is relatively easy, could even talk sellers into moving stuff into storage, but dated furnishings are toughter - after all, it's their taste...

Apr 30, 2018 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
4,582,434
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I usually suggest it to clients. Some sellers ve taken my suggestion to consult a professional stager.

Apr 30, 2018 12:27 PM
Rainmaker
2,784,716
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Vacant near new house sat and sat in a buyers market. Then, the seller staged it. It sold within days....Staging sealed the deal. I seen it before and after too. Before it was just fine. After staging, you had to have this home

Apr 30, 2018 12:23 PM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

I agree with Ron and Alexandra Seigel 

Apr 30, 2018 01:34 PM
Rainmaker
5,113,121
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

This is way too broad a question for a Q&A section. I'm a big believer in staging and I rarely care what someone's furniture looks like. You can make most anything work in the long run. Get rid of the clutter though.

Apr 30, 2018 01:04 PM
Rainmaker
7,864,157
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Staging will help you sell more quickly and at a higher price.

Apr 30, 2018 12:55 PM
Rainmaker
4,901,858
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

When it make sense I recommend a professional stager.

Apr 30, 2018 12:34 PM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

Staging is very beneficial in helping a home show it's best.  There's a reason new construction homes are always staged.  Builders wouldn't spend the money if staging was ineffective.

Apr 30, 2018 05:08 PM
Ambassador
3,383,384
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Even rearranging and decluttering a home can make it look much more appealing.  For outdated furniture, slip covers are a small dollar investment.

Apr 30, 2018 03:54 PM
Rainmaker
2,400,425
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Lucky for me I inherited my mothers excellent staging skills because our area does not have a professional stagger Kathryn Messina .

Apr 30, 2018 01:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Tastes vary and imagination sometimes seems nonexistent. We used to stage most of our vacant listings but never completely. The concept was always to generate ideas to get the potential Buyer's thoughts flowing. It all depends on the home's layout and dimension to determine what and where it needs help whether adding or subtracting from the decor. An empty property takes about twice as long to sell in my opinion.

Apr 30, 2018 12:51 PM
Rainmaker
399,703
PropertyMinder (AccelerAgent)
PropertyMinder, Inc. - San Jose, CA
Modern Tools for the Modern Agent

We created a checklist (+ infographic) of a few essential Home Staging tips to follow, Kathryn Messina. Hope that helps.  - Tim 

Apr 30, 2018 12:42 PM
Ambassador
5,254,675
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I work with those who need minimal to moderate help - otherwise, I bring my stager in. It is impactful and worth every penny, Kathryn!

Apr 30, 2018 07:59 PM
Ambassador
3,349,554
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I recommend it on most homes. 

Apr 30, 2018 07:18 PM
Rainmaker
1,553,599
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

It gets vacant and odd floor plan homes sold!

Apr 30, 2018 05:28 PM
Rainmaker
2,221,377
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

None.

Apr 30, 2018 04:47 PM
Ambassador
2,684,669
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  Excellent answers from Olga Simoncelli  and  Ron and Alexandra Seigel and Kathy Streib 

Apr 30, 2018 04:00 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Most of my sellers are in the mid-price range and do not want the added expense of a professional stager and so I take the time to advise them ... room by room.  Staging a home -- getting rid of the clutter and just making a few simple tweaks and you have a house that has been transformed and ready for pictures and the Buyer's Eye.

Apr 30, 2018 02:43 PM
Rainmaker
577,750
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

Always a positive experience... and home usually sells quicker.. and in most cases at a higher price.

May 01, 2018 04:47 AM
Ambassador
2,456,865
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Staging can definitely help sell a home quickly. I've found many sellers don't want to spend much money (or time/effort) to prepare their home properly. But a personal story - I once sold my own co-op, which was vacant at the time. It sat on the market w/o an offer until I bit the bullet and had it staged. Bing/bang/boom, more showings and an offer came right away. I'm a big believer in "detailing" a home for sale.

May 01, 2018 02:45 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,773
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Kathryn Messina - Always helps get 'better' price to the sellers in this market.

Apr 30, 2018 08:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,776
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

It's a good idea.

Apr 30, 2018 07:14 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,013
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Staging usually help produce a faster sale with a higher price.

Apr 30, 2018 06:14 PM
Rainmaker
1,241,879
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

If the seller offers it why not?

Ain't going to get $3-4.5K out of my commission.... They can keep trying.....

Apr 30, 2018 04:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,506,163
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I've seen it both help and harm a sale.

Apr 30, 2018 03:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,847,051
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Totally agree. Wish we had a good one in our area. 

Apr 30, 2018 03:50 PM
Rainmaker
913,568
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Sometimes it makes sense, other times it doesn't. Many sellers will want to do it themselves, hopefully with some help from their agent. No amount of staging can help some homes. http://www.nichollsauction.com/auctions/detail/4-br-2-ba-brick-cape-cod-style-home-on-2.8-acres-in-warsaw-v-bw26345

Apr 30, 2018 03:16 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,132
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Mostly good ones.

May 01, 2018 05:24 AM
Rainer
44,891
Dan Capra
LAER Realty Partners - Lowell, MA
Listing/Buyer Agent

Home buyers arent in real estate 24/7 as we are. Staging helps buyers picture themselves living in the home. I have had great success with staging and is well worth the investment. Multiple offers and over asking offers as a result!

May 01, 2018 04:18 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,308
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Not a lot of good, most go overboard

Apr 30, 2018 08:14 PM
Ambassador
6,418,755
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

It makes a difference, as does staging a forest property.

Apr 30, 2018 05:50 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,177
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I agree.

Apr 30, 2018 05:32 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Your question was answered. Great answers. Good luck. 

Oct 29, 2018 11:37 AM
Rainer
87,920
Jeff Perlis Prime Properties
Prime Properties - Lake Arrowhead, CA
Experience Your Own Transformation!

Great!

May 07, 2018 12:57 AM
Rainmaker
4,961,536
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I have had good luck on a vacant apt in a building for sale.

 

May 06, 2018 12:23 PM
Rainmaker
5,877,905
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

It is better received when a stager comes in and does a free consult.

May 03, 2018 08:26 AM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

If you find a good stagger and the house needs staging it can pay for itself and then some...buyers first impressions are most often the photos and its impossible to take great photos of a poorly stagged house Kathryn Messina but don't get silly with costs etc.

May 02, 2018 11:58 AM
Ambassador
3,167,714
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

very successful with vacant homes.  Not so much with occupied homes

May 02, 2018 09:25 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Richard Weeks nailed this one!

May 01, 2018 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Great answers, I hope you got the right one.

Oct 29, 2018 11:36 AM
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