Is staging an occupied home necessary?

[Anonymous]

Will be listing home soon….

Have painted everything a neutral color. Changed light fixtures on main level. Changed cabinet hardware of main level. Changed faucets. Have decluttered. Have bought things like throw pillows, entryway mats, bedding, lamps, some tchotchkes for shelves and tables. All maintenance done..

Everyone coming in to our house comments on how clean it is! I haven’t cleaned since January so I think it’s all the changes we’ve made.

Realtor’s stager wanted $$$ (15+) to bring in her own stuff to jazz up our already good furniture. We can’t afford that!

Please tell me that houses that are not staged also sell. We are pricing below market. It looks really clean, modern and spacious. We love it, but will others? So nervous…

[Anonymous]

That should be 15k+!!! Not 15+

[Anonymous]

I think you are fine without extra furniture. Especially if you are pricing reasonably.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t sweat it unless you’re going to move out and stage the whole thing.

[Anonymous]

Thanks… fingers crossed!

[Anonymous]

I prefer this. Staging is weird looking.

[Anonymous]

Didn’t stage my home and sold it in 2 days. Interest rates were up a bit too. Staging is a waste. Just keep it clean and picked up.

[Anonymous]

True staging isn't necessary, but get a friend with good taste to walk through and make suggestions. Repositioning furniture, updating pillows, moving around lamps, etc. can make a big difference.

[Anonymous]

It’s a money grab from your agent. You don’t need their staging.

[Anonymous]

Oh boy, you all made me feel better. Getting the place professionally cleaned before this listed, so it will actually be clean, not just look it! 😊

[Anonymous]

No, don’t do it. As long as it’s decluttered and super clean, you’re fine. Our realtor told us to only do the necessary and had a stager come in to give us suggestions using what we already had. I bought one counter stool for our small island, some white towels and high-end looking bath products for the primary bath. We had multiple offers in two days.

[Anonymous]

I hate the staging industry and I take points off for staged homes. I always feel like they are hiding something. Like the place is not livable.

[Anonymous]

I staged an entire house for $1000 with Mayfair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a money grab from your agent. You don’t need their staging.

Honestly. Staging just makes the house look worse.

[Anonymous]

Sounds fine. Don’t worry.