Myth: Staging Doesn’t Matter in a Hot Real Estate Market

Myth: Staging Doesn’t Matter in a Hot Real Estate Market

The sun is shining, spring bulbs are starting to sprout in my garden, and the birds are back in full force (though I could really do without them messing up my car…). All signs point towards the start of the spring season, which includes the real estate market; Activity and sales have been picking up, competition is alive and well, and there are even some hopeful murmurs about potential interest rate changes coming down the pipeline. 

Yes, things may in fact be heating up for us in the real estate industry, which has some sellers questioning whether staging their home will actually matter much in a hot real estate market; well, let me go ahead and nip that myth right in the bud! I also want to preface this by noting that “staging” can be accomplished on many different levels, from bringing in all the furniture and decor needed to stage a vacant home, to replacing a just few key pieces, to simply rearranging what you have in your home already. But regardless of what level of staging your home needs, there are several reasons why that staging still matters. 

For starters, we all know first impressions count. Whether it's in-person or online, a well-staged home creates an instant connection with potential buyers. After all, the majority of home searches start online these days, and if your house doesn't look inviting, those buyers may simply move onto the next house and forget all about yours. And let's not forget about professional photography - a well-staged home is much more likely to result in stunning professional photos, which can make all the difference in grabbing people's attention online.

Staging also helps showcase your home's best features. It allows any buyers walking through the home to envision themselves not only living in the space, but wanting it because of the fantastic qualities that the staging can draw their attention to.

Moreover, staging helps neutralize your personal style. We all have different tastes, but sometimes, our unique style might not be a hit with everyone. Staging helps to create a neutral space that is inviting to a much wider range of potential buyers, and ultimately, increasing the amount of interest and activity your home will get when it’s listed.

All of that aside, the most important (though somewhat basic) reasons to stage your home are the potential for a higher price and a faster sale. Statistics show that staged homes typically sell for a higher price and spend significantly less time on the market compared to non-staged homes. So, while homes sell quickly in a hot market, a staged home can still have a competitive edge.

I understand that in a market where houses seem to fly off the shelves, it's easy to think that presentation doesn't make a difference. But this is me, telling you, that staging matters, regardless of the type of market we are in. And when it comes to your time, your money and your home, staging is absolutely worth the hype!