What Is Your Buyer’s Reaction Really Worth?

Home Staging - Cost versus Benefit

The price of Home Staging….is it worth it? That is always a question on the minds of home owners especially if their home is vacant. 

It isn't cheap to bring in furniture and have it staged. There is of course the rental fee for furniture but it is also all the labor. The movers, the truck, the staging time to pack everything, stage the home and then come back and pack it all up when it sells.

So is it really worth it?  

I recently staged a 1904 three story home that sat vacant for many months. Let's look at the cost versus the benefit of Home Staging for this architectural jewel in a classic neighborhood of St. Paul, MN

Cost…

1) The old cliché  is true….Home Staging almost always costs less than the first price reduction.

2) In addition, Home Staging is usually less than the carrying costs for one month. Let's look at the costs involved in maintaining a vacant home:

Mortgageinterest, real estate taxes, insurancewater, heatair conditioning, electricityshoveling or lawn maintenance servicescleaning services, and maintenance upkeep

 
Benefits…..well, a picture is worth a thousand words so let's count up the dollars in the following pictures by tracking the buyers reactions before and after Home Staging of this 1904 Three Story Upper End Home: 
 
Buyer before: "They want how much for this old house?"
 
 
LR before
 
 
LR before
 
 
Buyer after: "Wow, look at the vintage subway tile on the fireplace, check out those bay windows."

 

LR after 

 

LR After

 

LR after

 

Buyer Before: "What the heck am I going to do with this small room right off the Living Room?"

 

FR before

 

FR before 

 

Buyer After: "What a great room for the kids to watch TV!"

 

FR after

 

FR after

 

Buyer Before: "This is kind of dark and dreary."

 

DR before

 

 

Buyer After: "Look at this stunning wood and original lead glass windows. And that built-in hutch that is 109 years old – Incredible!"

 

DR after

 

DR after

 

Buyer Before: "The kitchen is nice."

 

kitchen before

 

Buyer After: "I want this kitchen! The kids will love this bench for eating breakfast every morning."

 

Kitchen after

 

Buyer Before: "Huff…ah, ah…after climbing three flights of stairs it better be worth it. This is it?"

 

bedroom before

 

bedroom before

 

bath before

 

 

bath before

 

Buyer After: "I can't wait to run up those stairs to get up here every night. I am heading off to soak in the tub and then curl up with a book on that window seat by the fire."

"Oh….that's right, give me the papers to sign and make it snappy." 

 

Bedroom after

 

Bedroom After

 

Bath after

 

Bathroom after

 

Bath after

 

 

So…which statements are your buyers saying? What is their reaction worth?

If the difference is getting your home sold in days versus months, may the benefits of Home Staging outweigh the costs? 

 

Shar Sitter, owner Rooms With Style Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis MN.

CHSE and APSD Home Stager Pro Trainer

 

 If you would like to discuss the cost versus benefits of Home Staging for your property, please give us a call at 952-567-1124 or visit our website at www.RoomsWithStyle.com.

 


Written By

Shar is an award winning Designer and Home Stager and the owner of 'Rooms With Style' and the 'Certified Staging and Redesign Acadamy.' She has been in the design industry for over 25 years and her background includes studies in Interior Design as well as Horticulture to assist with your home’s curb appeal. Shar has a talent for taking simple things; placing them in their best light and making them shine. Another Sharlene from North Dakota, Shar and Sharlene knew they were destined to work together when they first met! She has been blogging here and helping bring out the best in the homes of Sharlene's sellers since 2011.

Related Posts

Make Your Home Cozy For Fall

🖨 Print Article Fall is such a wonderful time of year in the Midwest. The cool, crisp morning air brings a respite from the heat of summer, yet we can...

Our Favorite Local Home Decor Destinations

🖨 Print Article Our team at Rooms With Style is often asked for tips on where to source home furnishings. Each of us have at least one favorite “hidden gem”...

Subscribe to Our Newsletter for Market Updates & Mid-Century Modern Listings

Our weekly HomesMSP Update includes current local market information and a curated list of mid-century modern properties for sale, plus posts from an inspector, a lender, a stager, info about neighborhoods, life in the Twin Cities… even recipes!

Hidden

Blog Categories

Archives

Sharon and John Hensrud

About Us

The HomesMSP Team is committed to meeting you where you are and listening… really listening to understand you so we can use our extensive knowledge of the market and local neighborhoods to give you personalized service.