What can a stager do for me? Part 2 of a 4-part series

March 13, 2007

If you’re paying two mortgages and waiting on pins and needles for your old residence to sell, it sounds like you need a stager.

Probably the fastest growing segment of the home staging industry is in staging vacant homes. More and more sellers are moving out of their homes before they’re sold, taking all their worldly possessions with them, leaving nothing behind but an empty shell to sit on the market.

So what’s wrong with selling an empty house? Well . . . it echoes. It’s impersonal. It feels stale. And, worst of all, buyers can’t picture themselves living there. I’ve been unable to find solid statistics on the issue, but the common belief seems to be that vacant homes can take up to 30% longer to sell than occupied homes, and I know Realtors who will swear that this is true. (By the way, anyone with some good statistics or even war stories on this issue is greatly encouraged to share!!). Ana Hayes recently blogged about “lingering appeal.” This is a great way of looking at it – comfortable, cozy homes leave lingering good impressions on buyers. On the other hand, vacant homes blend together in buyers’ minds, and are easily forgotten.

If you still don’t believe that staging your empty home for sale will make it sell faster and for the most money possible, take a look at these before and after pictures and reconsider:

The photo of the vacant property below shows a pleasant-looking but small room. It leaves the buyer wondering what the room could be used for:

Elite Bedroom Before

However, after staging by Kimberly Uksik of Elite Home Decor of Ontario, Canada, the difference is remarkable - who would’ve thought this was big enough to be a bedroom! This before and after set proves that not only does staging show buyers what a room’s potential is, but it also gives listing photos some frame of reference.

Elite bedroom after

Stagers can also lighten the atmosphere of a vacant property. The before picture here shows an oppressive, outdated room:

Kathy - sitting room before

But, after staging by Kathy Nielsen of Georgia Interior Solutions, LLC, it’s a whole different story! No more 1970s dark den. Staging transformed this space into a sunny, comfortable sitting room. Who wouldn’t want to play chess here on a lazy summer afternoon?

Kathy - sitting room after

In this final before, you can almost hear the echo in the room. Get this property some furniture to compliment that beautiful parquet floor!

Solstice Staging - living room before

After staging by Solstice Staging, this became a living room ready for echo-free entertaining - and showing!

Solstice Staging - living room after

After hours and hours of looking at properties, vacant properties all begin to look the same to buyers. Staging your vacant property gives them something interesting to look at - and remember.

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Written by Ann O'Connell · Filed Under Real estate 

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One Response to “What can a stager do for me? Part 2 of a 4-part series”

  1. for sale » What can a stager do for me? Part 2 of a 4 part series on April 2nd, 2007 10:13 am

    [...] Original post by Ann O’Connell [...]

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