Anyone used a home staging company to try and help sell their property?

[Deleted User]

I wish they'd bring The House Doctor series back in our TV!

Mojisola

My Dad's house was practically empty by the time the buyers looked round but we'd had photos taken while there was still furniture in the rooms - but with everything tidied and decluttered. 

Silvertabby

When sis-in-law put her house on the market the EA wanted her to put her study furniture into storeage and to replace it with a bed etc - 'otherwise the viewers won't know that it's a bedroom'.  

She didn't, but the house still sold reasonably quickly.

Titus_Wadd

I've always thought Estate Agents could branch out in this direction, staging homes advice.  My late sister was a realtor in Canada and the States and her job was often to stage her listings for viewing, including rolled up sleeves cleaning.  (She did once have a house with a kidney-shaped pool as in the film American Beauty!)

If there's not much to choose between agents I'd go with one that could honestly tell me how to stage my home myself.  Most use flattery to get you signed up with them in my experience.  I'd welcome a bit of frank advice, but I can't see them offering to deep clean your bathroom on open house day!

AllaK

pinkpiglit said:

AllaK said:I used to consult with a virtual staging company - Virtual Staging Plans. You can never fulfill everyone's taste but at least you can show the potential of the house by staging the property. Nowadays, the market keeps promoting virtual staging - it's cheaper and easier. For about 100 dollars you can show the whole house staged.

Thanks, but this is a UK site so we don't use dollars ( + it's a heck of a lot more expensive than that over here, unfortunately)

pinkpiglit said:

AllaK said:I used to consult with a virtual staging company - Virtual Staging Plans. You can never fulfill everyone's taste but at least you can show the potential of the house by staging the property. Nowadays, the market keeps promoting virtual staging - it's cheaper and easier. For about 100 dollars you can show the whole house staged.

Thanks, but this is a UK site so we don't use dollars ( + it's a heck of a lot more expensive than that over here, unfortunately)

It doesn't matter - it's digital! You can use any country's services.

newsgroupmonkey_

When selling my first home, we were moving into a much bigger property that we needed (kids and all the things that go with that). We simply hired space in one of these storage companies (they usually have a minimum of 12 weeks) and literally ditched everything including unnecessary furniture, tents, bikes etc. into it so that people could see the house without our clutter.

pinkpiglit

Titus_Wadd said:

 I'd welcome a bit of frank advice, but I can't see them offering to deep clean your bathroom on open house day!

Ha - wouldn't that be handy! 

pinkpiglit

newsgroupmonkey_ said:

When selling my first home, we were moving into a much bigger property that we needed (kids and all the things that go with that). We simply hired space in one of these storage companies (they usually have a minimum of 12 weeks) and literally ditched everything including unnecessary furniture, tents, bikes etc. into it so that people could see the house without our clutter.

Yes our stuff will also be in storage - or possibly in a cargo container in a ship - as we'll be in another country by the time we get round to selling.  That's what made me wonder whether it's better to get the place staged so it's not just empty rooms.
I've got plenty of time to ponder this as we aren't going anywhere with the current crisis!

pumas

Why don't you stage it now or as and when you move some furniture and take photos to be used when you're ready to go.

FinallyStoppedLurking

We sold our last house and moved in relatives as we were moving from up north to the Midlands. 
Our house sold for significantly above the valuations we were given and I think this is because we left all of the furniture in and so it was like a show home. Also helped by the fact my wife is a designer so had created a lovely looking home. My best mate also did similar and he sold within a day at asking price (probably could've held out for more but he was happy with what he got).

I think the reality is that a lot of people don't know how to create a nice looking home and so if you can do it to yours it adds value. People can see a home rather than a house. I also think empty houses always look a bit rubbish. When there's no furniture your eyes are drawn to faults (eg. marks on walls, dents from furniture in carpets etc).