The homes on Kahala Avenue, an upscale suburb on the island of Oahu, are lined with “For Sale” signs. As you enter the grand foyer and gaze through halls with 30 ft. ceilings and crystal pedant lighting, you notice the fine touches of architecture, the Sub-Zero appliances, and the furniture. You peruse through the glossy brochure and notice that furniture is not included in the price of the sale. You are curious why so much effort was devoted to turning a vacant home into a dressed up abode.
The answer is simple: a staged home mentally prepares you to move in. You can visualize your children playing in the family room complete with a pool table and large T.V., or you wonder why they chose a red couch when your neutral love seat would look much better. The mood is set; it feels comfortable and ready for you to step in.
According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), when a home is staged, you are more likely to sell faster, get a higher price, and appeal to a growing market – your online prospect. Is this only for the wealthy seller? Surely all sellers would like to sell faster, for more money, and have a more marketable online presence. Even in a fast-paced market, homes are competing for buyers.
The answer is a resounding no. Staging is not just for the wealthy and does not require a large bank account to accomplish. Fortunately, real estate agents who know how to stage can provide simple tips to clear away the clutter and advise on the items that enhance and/or detract from the appeal of your home. Some agents may even have a storage room of on-hand staging equipment to fill your property at no extra charge. Yet, even if there are renovations needed in the home, often only a small percentage of the market price can transform a home that has little appeal into a home that sells – sometimes higher than asking.
The pictures featured in this blog post are of a 1 bed, 1 bath unit listed at $158,000 that was prepped for sale with light renovation and staging.
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