Is Home Staging Worth It?

August 25, 2024 | Home Staging

Is home staging worth it? This question often enters the mind of those looking to sell their Houston homes. It often can enter the mind of Houston real estate agents and Airbnb hosts as well. With the costs associated with selling a home on the rise, is the price of staging services really worth it?

Staging a house does cost money. We should all just start with that fact and then think more about the benefits of staging a home. Staging does more than simply rearrange furniture in a room or put aesthetically pleasing pillows on a couch. Rather, it is an art form that involves psychology, sales acumen and industry knowledge. So is it really worth the investment?

Should homeowners stage their homes prior to selling?

If you have made the decision to sell your home on your own (for sale by owner or FSBO), then you may want to inquire about staging your house. The data doesn't lie, homes listed with real estate agents in Houston tend to sell for more money. However, one of the main reasons for this is that most agents in Houston include staging among their services.

Yes, an agent will negotiate on your behalf and get your home listed on the MLS, but most homebuyers start their search on public sites like Zillow, which also enables you to post your home without the assistance of a real estate agent. However, because homebuyers begin their searches online, if your photos lack the effects staging provides, you will often be passed over in favor of other homes in your price range. Agents understand this, and most include staging in their service catalog for this reason. But as a homeowner, you can contact a professional staging company to have your home staged if you want to avoid paying real estate agent commissions.

Should Realtors® stage their listings?

Real estate agents usually understand the value of staging a home, but if you're new to the industry or skeptical, the answer to this question is an emphatic 'YES'.

As little as a 1% investment in staging (1% of the list price of the home) can net a sale price between 7-35% over asking. In other words, your investment of $3,500 on a $350,000 home can help the home sell for as much as $472,500. That means an extra $4,000 or more in agent commission.

Aside from monetary considerations, investing in your listings will help you build relationships with your clients, increase your referral rate, and also help you market your business beyond the listing itself. Let's look at an example:

An agent lists a home for sale. They take the time to invest in staging the house professionally. The house sells for 20% over asking in 4 days. A homeowner is browsing online and sees that this agent put in the investment and the results, either via social media posts or sales data on Zillow. That agent will likely get a call from this homeowner when it is time for them to move.

Should I stage my Airbnb?

The past 10 years has seen a rise in the vacation rental home market, largely due to the influence of Airbnb. As travelers look to find a place to stay, Airbnb's can often be a great alternative to a hotel or motel. However, if a potential guest sees a property as less than desirable online, they will not book that property.

In fact, there is a very strong correlation between staging a vacation home and increased booking rates. Of course other factors come into play when travelers book their accommodations, but when they see a gorgeous property is available to rent, they will more than likely book that over a poorly photographed or unstaged property.

So, is staging your home worth it? Whether you are selling a home in Houston or renting a vacation home out, the answer is yes. Contact HFR for a staging consultation today!

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