Staging

[Anonymous]

My MIL is about to put her home on the market. She has lived in the home for quite some time, so there are some areas that need upgrading such as fixtures and minor things, thankfully nothing major! The home will be empty by the time it hits the market. The stager came through and told her all the things to repair and replace before they put it on the market. Does she have to take all of the stagers suggestions and fix/repair/replace everything especially in our current market in NoVa? She will paint the entire home as it needs a fresh coat of paint, but wondering if replacing the ceiling fan, light fixtures, and wall sconces are make it or break it.

[Anonymous]

My in-laws just sold their home last year. Same thing stager told them, but they decided not to paint all the wood white (oak kitchen and bathroom cabinets, oak built ins in family room, oak built in library/study--all updated and newish but they like oak not white everything-floors also oak) and change out their shiny brass bulky fixtures. They still got over ask, but a smaller house down the street that was less updated and a smaller/less desirable location lot got more $ potentially because they painted the wood white and had more modern fixtures. Both homes were move-in ready, but for an idea my in-laws had sub zero and similar in kitchen whereas the other home had Kitchenaid.


My in-laws were not thrilled those people received $50k+ more but they did not want to do the extra work/pay to have it done.

I also think it matters if people plan to do work on your MILs house or if it is move in ready? That is my experience, but others may feel different.

[Anonymous]

It depends on how much she wants to put into the house. If it’s in a hot area it will sell regardless.

[Anonymous]

No it’s not make it or break it but she’ll get more $ if she does. It’s worth the fairly small investment to replace things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My in-laws just sold their home last year. Same thing stager told them, but they decided not to paint all the wood white (oak kitchen and bathroom cabinets, oak built ins in family room, oak built in library/study--all updated and newish but they like oak not white everything-floors also oak) and change out their shiny brass bulky fixtures. They still got over ask, but a smaller house down the street that was less updated and a smaller/less desirable location lot got more $ potentially because they painted the wood white and had more modern fixtures. Both homes were move-in ready, but for an idea my in-laws had sub zero and similar in kitchen whereas the other home had Kitchenaid.


My in-laws were not thrilled those people received $50k+ more but they did not want to do the extra work/pay to have it done.

I also think it matters if people plan to do work on your MILs house or if it is move in ready? That is my experience, but others may feel different.

Thank you for your detailed response!! This is super helpful and I will relay the message.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL is about to put her home on the market. She has lived in the home for quite some time, so there are some areas that need upgrading such as fixtures and minor things, thankfully nothing major! The home will be empty by the time it hits the market. The stager came through and told her all the things to repair and replace before they put it on the market. Does she have to take all of the stagers suggestions and fix/repair/replace everything especially in our current market in NoVa? She will paint the entire home as it needs a fresh coat of paint, but wondering if replacing the ceiling fan, light fixtures, and wall sconces are make it or break it.

Does your agent share the stager's opinions, or is this all coming from the stager?

If this is coming from the stager, I have questions.
1. What do real estate agents do any more, besides listing you online and referring you to their stager for all advice about getting your house ready? When I've sold houses, the agent told us to paint, declutter, swap out light fixtures, etc. Has this changed?
2. Are agents worried their colleagues in the staging industry won't get business if sellers already painted but they're questioning the value of beige furniture?
2. Now you're paying two professionals, the agent and the stager (and probably the buyer's agent) and that's going to jack up fees.

[Anonymous]

I’m would paint and replace things if you can get good deals. But not overdo it.

[Anonymous]

I would fix things that don’t work.

[Anonymous]

Stager here. Assuming she is painting, I dont think replacing light fixtures are necessary (unless they are really old or dont throw off enough light for the room.) One idea maybe to update something like a dining room and foyer fixture, but leave the old ceiling fans in the bedrooms... you can get something pretty inexpensively online for those spaces.

[Anonymous]

Light fixtures make a huge difference and. you can find modern ones at HD or on Amazon for under $50 that look really nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Light fixtures make a huge difference and. you can find modern ones at HD or on Amazon for under $50 that look really nice.

This is exactly right. It’s definitely worth doing

[Anonymous]

When I see old light fixtures, I wonder what else hasn't been updated....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Light fixtures make a huge difference and. you can find modern ones at HD or on Amazon for under $50 that look really nice.

This is exactly right. It’s definitely worth doing

+1 We replaced the crappy mushroom ceiling lights with some inexpensive ones from HD and it make all the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My in-laws just sold their home last year. Same thing stager told them, but they decided not to paint all the wood white (oak kitchen and bathroom cabinets, oak built ins in family room, oak built in library/study--all updated and newish but they like oak not white everything-floors also oak) and change out their shiny brass bulky fixtures. They still got over ask, but a smaller house down the street that was less updated and a smaller/less desirable location lot got more $ potentially because they painted the wood white and had more modern fixtures. Both homes were move-in ready, but for an idea my in-laws had sub zero and similar in kitchen whereas the other home had Kitchenaid.


My in-laws were not thrilled those people received $50k+ more but they did not want to do the extra work/pay to have it done.

I also think it matters if people plan to do work on your MILs house or if it is move in ready? That is my experience, but others may feel different.

Anecdotals are always just that: anecdotals. I find it hard to believe that someone would offer 50k more for a house that was smaller and less updated and less desirable lot just because the wood interior finishes were all painted. I'm sure something else played a factor. It may be timing more than anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My in-laws just sold their home last year. Same thing stager told them, but they decided not to paint all the wood white (oak kitchen and bathroom cabinets, oak built ins in family room, oak built in library/study--all updated and newish but they like oak not white everything-floors also oak) and change out their shiny brass bulky fixtures. They still got over ask, but a smaller house down the street that was less updated and a smaller/less desirable location lot got more $ potentially because they painted the wood white and had more modern fixtures. Both homes were move-in ready, but for an idea my in-laws had sub zero and similar in kitchen whereas the other home had Kitchenaid.


My in-laws were not thrilled those people received $50k+ more but they did not want to do the extra work/pay to have it done.

I also think it matters if people plan to do work on your MILs house or if it is move in ready? That is my experience, but others may feel different.

Anecdotals are always just that: anecdotals. I find it hard to believe that someone would offer 50k more for a house that was smaller and less updated and less desirable lot just because the wood interior finishes were all painted. I'm sure something else played a factor. It may be timing more than anything else.

I think you under estimate staging and people's emotion when they walk through a house.