Exploring Home Selling: Is Investment in Preparation Beneficial?
In the world of real estate, presenting a home in the best possible light can make all the difference when it comes to attracting potential buyers and securing a quick sale. One effective strategy for achieving this is through home staging, a process that involves the strategic arrangement of furniture, décor, and accessories to showcase a property's key selling points.
Grace Le-Franke, a licensed estate agent at Wilson Agents Port Phillip, strongly advocates for a group meeting between the agent, vendor, and stylist to discuss the home's key selling points and the best ways to highlight these features. According to Le-Franke, trusting the agent and stylist who handle the staging process is paramount.
One of the primary benefits of home staging is that it can help properties sell quicker. By creating an emotionally engaging space, buyers are better able to visualize themselves living in the property, which can reduce the time a home spends on the market[3][5].
Another advantage of professional staging is that it can increase the perceived value of the property. This often leads to multiple offers and a better final selling price[2][5]. The strategic placement of furniture, décor, and finishing touches such as layered rugs, accent pillows, and artwork, make rooms look warmer, more inviting, and functional rather than sterile or empty[1].
Proper staging also ensures that furniture and accessories don’t block pathways or crowd rooms, highlighting the home’s best features and helping buyers understand room size and potential uses[1]. A well-staged home feels cared for and thoughtfully designed, making it easier for buyers to imagine themselves living there, which improves buyer engagement[1][4].
For vacant or newly constructed homes (spec homes), staging provides a competitive edge by making the property stand out among comparable listings[1][2]. A properly staged home can even help photos stand out better to online buyers[5].
However, there are costs associated with home staging that sellers should be aware of. Hiring a professional property stylist involves upfront fees or staging costs, which can vary depending on the size of the home and scope of services[2]. Staging usually involves renting furniture and décor items, so there is an ongoing rental or service fee until the property sells[2].
The cost of staging should be seen as an investment, according to Grace Le-Franke, as it can improve the sale price of a home[2]. While the costs add to the seller’s expenses, the potential increased sale price and faster sale often justify the expense. However, it’s a cost that must be assessed carefully for each property’s market conditions[2].
To simplify the home-selling journey, a website such as [website.com.au](http://website.com.au) can connect sellers to the right services at the right time. For those considering hiring a property stylist, Le-Franke suggests researching a stylist's work on Instagram, websites, and recent projects to get a feel for their style[6].
Existing furniture may need to be stored during the staging process, with a budget of three months for storage recommended in case the property sale period is extended[7]. Homes are styled for the duration of the marketing campaign, which typically lasts five to six weeks[8]. If the property does not sell within the intended period, extending the hire time for the staging will incur additional costs[9].
In summary, the benefits of hiring a property stylist for home staging often outweigh the costs by helping homes sell faster, for higher prices, and with greater buyer appeal. However, the staging cost is an upfront investment that sellers should budget for when planning their sale strategy[1][2][3][5].
Investing in professional home staging can boost a property's perceived value, potentially leading to multiple offers and a higher final selling price, as suggested by Grace Le-Franke, a licensed estate agent at Wilson Agents Port Phillip. Moreover, the strategic arrangement of furniture and decor can help create an emotionally engaging space, making properties more appealing to buyers and possibly shortening the time spent on the market.
