From DIY to Professional Staging: How Much Does Home Staging Really Cost?

If you're trying to sell your home, you need to do everything in your power to make it stand out to buyers. That's where home staging comes in. Home staging is the process of preparing a home for sale by enhancing its appeal to potential buyers. It involves decluttering, depersonalizing, and arranging furniture to highlight the property's best features. However, staging a home adds an additional expense to the overall cost of selling a home.

So, how much does it cost to stage a home for sale, and how can home sellers effectively budget for it? In this article, we'll break down the costs of home staging and provide some tips on how home sellers can budget for this essential process. Whether you're a seasoned home seller or selling for the first time, you'll walk away with a solid understanding of how to stage your home effectively without breaking the bank.

How Much Does Home Staging Cost?

The cost of staging a home can vary significantly depending on various factors. According to experts, the average cost of home staging ranges between $1,000 and $5,000. Most professional home stagers will charge for the initial consultation and planning, then add additional fees per staged room.

The total cost can increase or decrease based on the level of staging required, the size of the property, and the location. If you choose to hire a professional stager, the cost will be higher due to their expertise and experience. On the other hand, if you decide to stage the home yourself, the cost will be lower, but you may need to invest time and money in buying furniture and décor items.

Ideally, you don't want to spend more on staging than you can recuperate in the final sale price.

How Does Home Staging Help Sellers?

Home staging is an important tool for anyone looking to sell their home quickly and at a higher price. Staging can help create a better visual presentation of the property and capitalize on the latest design trends, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

Increased Visibility

Home staging helps make your house stand out from other properties on the market by creating an inviting atmosphere that draws in potential buyers. Highlighting the property's features with professional photography and virtual tours, even if they can't come in person, boosts its visibility to prospective buyers.

Improved Curb Appeal

Home staging allows you to show off your property's most valuable home improvements and highlight its unique characteristics. By adding small touches like fresh flowers or colorful plants around the entrance, you can make sure that first impressions count when prospective buyers arrive for viewings.

Homes that have been staged professionally tend to command higher prices than those which haven't been given any attention before being listed on the market. This is because they look more desirable and appealing, giving them a competitive edge over similar homes in terms of price point. Many real estate agents will recommend certain upgrades or repairs before listing a property. This too can significantly increase its value upon sale completion.

When to Invest in Home Staging

In a weak seller's market, home staging can make all the difference when trying to attract potential buyers. By creating an inviting atmosphere with tasteful decorations and furniture placement, you can give your house an edge over other listings in the area. Home stagers are experienced professionals who know how to create visual appeal without going overboard.

Homes with unique features or characteristics often require special attention when being prepared for sale. This is where professional home stagers come into play. They understand how best to showcase these distinctive elements so they stand out from other properties on the market and make them memorable to prospective buyers who visit your open houses or viewings.

This strategy allows you to capitalize on any unusual attributes your house may have. such as interesting architectural details or large windows, and set it apart from its competition in a crowded marketplace. Staging can be especially beneficial as it helps hide any areas that might not look their best due to wear-and-tear over time, allowing you to spend less on home repairs before selling.

Professional stagers know what pieces should be used where so they don't draw too much attention away from those areas while still making sure they appear presentable enough for potential purchasers during showings and open houses.

A Breakdown of Average Costs for Home Staging

The costs associated with home staging vary, depending on whether you choose to hire professional services or do it yourself.

Professional Services and Rentals

Hiring professionals for home staging typically involves renting furniture and accessories and hiring a designer or stylist to arrange them in the most attractive way possible. Professional services may also include enhancing the look of your home through painting, cleaning, landscaping, and window treatments. Prices for these services can differ significantly based on the area and scope of the job, but here are the common rates.

• Professional home stager: $1,500 for the full house
• Home cleaners: $50/hour
• Furniture rental: $500 per room

Tips for Maximizing Your Investment in Home Staging

Home staging aims to make a room appear as inviting and attractive as possible. To maximize your investment in home staging, focus on the most important areas first, which include the kitchen, living areas, master bedroom, and dining rooms.

Additionally, it helps to make sure any entryways or living rooms are well-lit and uncluttered. Utilizing neutral colors such as beige, white, and grey can help create a more calming atmosphere for potential buyers while also helping small spaces appear larger than they are. Additionally, simple decorations like throw pillows or wall art can add character without overwhelming the room.

Finally, ensure that the furniture is proportional to the size of each room. If you're working with a smaller area, opt for pieces that won't take up too much space but still provide enough seating for guests. On the other hand, if you have an expansive living area then go ahead and bring in larger items like sectionals or oversized armchairs that will fill out the space nicely without feeling cramped or cluttered.

FAQs Concerning Home Staging Costs

Why is house staging so expensive?

Staging typically involves hiring a professional designer who will work with you to make your home look its best by rearranging furniture and decorating to highlight its features. Due to its complexity and the resources required, professional staging can be costly. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with purchasing or renting furniture and accessories needed for staging purposes.

How can I stage a house myself?

Start by decluttering and cleaning the space, then focus on making small improvements such as updating light fixtures, adding fresh paint or wallpaper in key areas, replacing worn carpets and flooring, and rearranging furniture to create a more inviting atmosphere. Additionally, add plants or flowers to give the home a touch of life.

Do staged homes sell faster?

According to the National Association of Realtors, staged homes can sell significantly faster than non-staged properties. Their survey found that staged homes spent a fraction of the time on the market.

It's harder to quantify exactly how much faster a staged home will sell, but an overwhelming amount of buyers say they have an easier time picturing themselves living in a staged home. Anything you can do to stand out to buyers is usually worth it.

What Is Soft Staging?

Soft staging is a cost-effective alternative to traditional home staging that involves using furniture and decor items to enhance the look and feel of a home without completely furnishing it. Unlike traditional staging, soft staging focuses on creating a neutral and inviting environment using accessories such as throw pillows, rugs, and artwork.

By strategically placing these items, a professional soft stager can highlight a home's best features and make it more attractive to potential buyers. The benefits of soft staging include a lower cost compared to traditional staging and the ability to update the look of a home without significant investment in furniture or accessories. Soft staging can be an excellent solution for home sellers who want to enjoy some of the benefits of traditional staging without incurring the full cost.

Sellers: Make Your Best Impression With Home Staging

When it comes to the expense of staging a home, whether or not to invest in this service is dependent on multiple elements. If you want your home to stand out and attract more buyers, then investing in professional staging may be worth the cost.