How Much Does Staging Really Cost? Real Estate Tips

How Much Does Staging Really Cost?

Jul 3, 2011 Real Estate Advice

Staging is an investment. It does cost money, but there’s an opportunity to make a return on it. When done correctly, it offers well over 100% ROI.

The fact is—just like in any other industry, you will find a lot of companies offering staging services, and some will be less expensive than others—at least that’s what you think at first.

Here’s the bottom line: you can’t look at the cost of staging as what you pay the staging company upfront. Sometimes paying less at this point can cost you more in the long run.

Do you bargain shop for doctors? No. You go with who you are referred to or who you perceive as best because it is an important decision. It affects your health and potentially your life.

While your house isn’t your life, it is probably your largest asset, and decisions about it should not be made lightly. You shouldn’t bargain shop when it comes to getting the most out of your largest asset. Do you really think it’s in your best interest to shop around for agents with the lowest commission and stagers with the lowest fee? You may think this is saving you money, but it is probably costing you more in the long run.

Just like with a doctor, when you don’t know where to go, you ask a friend or family member. Or, if you need a specialist, you ask your current doctor and you trust that person. So don’t discount the value of referrals when it comes to selling your house either. Most people don’t refer companies unless they know they produce good work and real results.

As with most things, while there may be exceptions to the rule, but you often get what you pay for. So look at what it’s costing you long term, because it may be a lot different than what it’s costing you short term.

Since 2007, many staging companies have come and gone. Some are full time professional companies, some are individuals, some may do it part time, some have had training, some have a design background, some have marketing training and are a combination. There are also a variety of different service levels that you will find if you look around. What I’m getting at here is there are no enforced standards in the staging industry, so it’s important to really understand what you are getting.

Before you choose to stage your home, consider the following things:

• How many homes have they staged?
• What price ranges have they worked in?
• What results have they had? (ask for real numbers days on market and percent of asking price)
• How do their client’s results compare to the average?
• Look at their portfolio does every picture look the same? Or do the styles vary with the type of home and the buyer demographic?
• Where do they get their inventory?
• How do they choose what will go in each home?

As you meet with them, treat it like an interview and ask them questions too. Determine what the real cost is going to be. When you work with a company that has a track record of proven success, you can be confident that you’re not spending money but making an investment that will HELP YOUR HOUSE SELL. Isn’t that the point?

Happy Selling!

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