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In A Sellers' Market, Staging Can Mean More $$

My realtor partners are telling me that it's a sellers' market in my area (Maryland).  Properties that are listed for $300,000 and below are flying off the shelves.  Well, it's been more than 10 years since this has happened, so I think it's great!  However, I still think that staging a house is very important -- to entice buyers into spending more money for your house or condo!

In fact, Real Estate Staging Associations (RESA) statistics show:
Staged homes sell 50 percent faster (or more!) than houses that are not staged, and staged homes sell for 6-10 percent more than houses that were not staged. Recently,  I just had one of my staged homes sell in 24 hours for an additional $10,000 OVER asking price!

In my blog, I wanted to share some mistakes that I have seen home sellers make  in the past eight years when they put their house on the market.  Some sellers wait months before they bring in a Home Stager.  In my opinion, this is a BIG mistake.

Here are some advantages to hiring a Stager BEFORE you put your house on the market:
1.  Your house will look it's BEST at the very beginning - in pictures online and in person.  The pictures online are the first impression that a buyer sees of your house.  Your house needs to look great because that is when you get the most interest from realtors and prospective buyers - when your house is FIRST put on the market!!
2.  Within the first 30 days of being on the market, the highest number of prospective buyers look at your listing - either online or in person. After the first 30 days, it is no longer considered a new listing. 
3.  If you do not get a buyer within the first 60 days, your chances of an offer are decreased because your house is no longer a "new" listing.  And after 60 days, prospective buyers begin to wonder - What is wrong with this house?  And you may be advised to lower the price.  Remember that hiring a Home Stager BEFORE putting your house on the market is much less expensive than the first price adjustment. 

So, here are some options:
1.  Hire a Home Stager for an in-home consultation.  The Stager will walk through your house, look at the exterior and interior, and give you objective opinions and advice on how to make your house more appealing to prospective buyers! This is the most inexpensive option.
2.  Hire a Home Stager to stage your Occupied home.  This can include redesigning some rooms,  using your own things, to help your house look good in photographs (online) and in person.
3.  Hire a Home Stager to stage your Vacant home.  Buyers have a hard time visualizing how their things can be arranged in your house.  In fact, only 10 percent of the population can visualize in this way.    Home Stagers usually know how you can furnish your home with furniture and accessories to create the "Wow Factor."  And some Home Stagers have their own furniture and accessories that you can rent.

If you have any questions about some of my suggestions, please email me at AGoodeStartDeco@gmail.com.  Thank you and, as always, Happy Decorating!!

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