If you’ve been thinking about putting your house on the market, you’ve probably asked yourself if you should hire a home stager. If you’re not familiar with what a stager does, they’re essentially a professional artist with the skills of an interior designer. They will examine your space and help you furnish and decorate it for the best chance of selling your home quickly and for a higher price.
Is it Worth the Cost?
On average, a home stager usually costs around $3,500 to $4,500 a month. While this may seem like an unnecessary expense for work you could theoretically do yourself, a stager will more than pay for themselves in the long run. While the results of a stager vary from market to market, generally their work will help your home make even more money. A staged home averages six days on the market, compared to 48 days nationally. Staging also adds value to a home; on average, a staged home sells for anywhere from 6 to 20 percent more than the market average.
What Will a Stager Actually Do?
A stager will examine your space from the ceiling to the floor and help the seller determine a plan of action for what should be done to get the home ready for sale. They will identify specific ways to showcase some of the best features of your house and what furniture or accessories can be utilized to do that.
To do this, a stager will bring in a variety of accessories to spruce up your space and make it easier for a potential buyer to envision themselves living in the house. Some items they use to do this may include mirrors, artwork, plants, throw pillows and blankets and area rugs, all carefully selected to match your space.
In addition to decorating and personalizing your home, a stager will also help you arrange for any necessary repairs that needed to be made to your home. If you need to hire a plumber to fix a leaky drain, they’ll arrange for that person to come in and even oversee their work.
In all, a home stager will work with you to make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers. They’re educated in the art of interior designer and what makes buyers feel connected to a home, and that knowledge will more than pay off when selling your home.