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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,664
Registered: ‎02-26-2012

The difference to me is buying a home vs selling a home.

 

Buying a home - empty is preferrable because you can see the entire house, flaws and all.

 

Selling a home - staging it yourself if you have decent furniture, artwork, etc. Need to get rid of all the personal pictures and stuff on counters we all have. There are some people who want or need to see how furniture can be placed in room, etc etc.

 

I would not pay to have a house staged unless I was doing a flip house and then I'm pretty sure I would go in and edit/move things around. Some of the staged homes I've seen are just too weird, color wise, etc. 

"What we practice daily is what we build a life on. Practice peace, love & kindness."
Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,217
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I sold a townhouse 10 months ago in Florida.   The realtor had it staged but paid for it out of her commission.  They used my furniture but moved it around and brought in pillows, lamps and large decor items. 

 

It looked great and the property sold in a few days at list price.  I probably could have held out for more money.  but my husband had recently passed away and I wanted to be rid of it.  

 

 

 

 

 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 772
Registered: ‎03-09-2010
People can certainly pay money for whatever they want and all kinds of businesses wouldn't exist if people didn't use them. That being said, I think it's a total waste of resources & completely ridiculous to pay more money selling a home, especiallyin todays market.

If I were buying, I'd want to see the bones down to bare walls & floors. It's easy to "hide " potential major flaws with "stuff"!
Honored Contributor
Posts: 32,488
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

We've made two moves, but moved first then sold the old house.  They were clean and empty.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,865
Registered: ‎12-02-2013

This summer we sold our mountain house in 10 days from just the photos.

 

The house was " staged "....using the minimum of our own furniture.  The realtor had a specialist who spent several hours with me.  We went through every room, sun room, deck, front porch and garage area.  The items we removed from each room were put aside for yard sale, requests satisfied by friends and relatives, and donation.

 

When DH saw the final " staged set," he said " It looks as though we never lived here. ".  Minimal would be my choice for description !!!  But, it worked....

 

( I took most of her suggestions ! )

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,887
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

What's crazy is....I looked at a house of a relative that was on the market.  The rooms were beautiful!  The bedrooms looked like a 5 star hotel.  The artwork was stunning!

 

But when I looked at the actual *tour*, it showed the rooms with the furniture my relative actually had.  Wasn't as nice as the pics.  

 

So the online pics are *staged*. 

 

So much so that I saw a screening room for movies with about 6 recliners in it.  I was jealous!  

 

Then I looked at the room through the online tour and it had nothing but tubs of Christmas decorations and about 4 vacuums and Roombas.

 

I've sold completely empty homes and did quite well, and homes that came fully furnished and did quite well.  I've never had to stage a home to sell and I've done quite well.....

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,226
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

Wow, that's interesting, @CANDLEQUEEN .   I wouldn't necessarily have realized it would be that steep.

 

Given how (relatively) expensive it is to have it professionally staged, I think I might be tempted to stage it myself.

 

It probably wouldn't be as "chic" as a professional's efforts, but I think a thorough deep cleaning everywhere, sparkling windows top to bottom, ruthless decluttering and packing away the detritus of daily living, yet leaving a few striking, larger pieces to give "character", attention to landscaping, etc., would probably go a long way.

 

And for coaching, there are lots of detailed online videos on staging that I'd turn to!   Marissa Pellegrini has at least two good ones.      

Honored Contributor
Posts: 69,397
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

I've e noticed, looking at daily realty photos, that some homes appear to be staged by computer.  They must take photos of empty rooms and digitally add furniture and accessories.  That would really be fun to do and no heavy lifting. 

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,108
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

YouTube! Learn what they do and do it yourself!  That's what I would do! No way would I pay that much - 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,065
Registered: ‎04-12-2010

It worked for us, so I don't agree with it being ridiculous and a waste of money.