Home Staging Designs of California

In 2004, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage compared staged homes to non-staged homes and found that staged homes sold on average:

• In half the time 
• At a 6% higher sales price

Did you see that?  Staged homes sell faster and for more money!  Home staging is an investment that pays off for YOU!!

Other surveys show up to 17% increased sales price.

How Much Does Staging Cost?  

Because each home is unique, this isn't an easy question to answer, but here is a rough guideline - The National Association of Realtors reports that the average staging investment is between 1 and 3 percent of the home's asking price, which generates a return of 8-10%. 

For instance, spending less than $2,000 toward curb appeal, interior paint, decluttering, and having a professional Home Stager arrange your furniture, artwork and accessories to show off your home in its best light, could easily induce buyers to offer at least $16,000-$20,000 more than they would if the home were not staged! 

There is no guarantee, of course, but it happens time and time again,     all over the country. 

Can you earn $20K that quickly any other way? 

Making a price reduction is far more costly! 

Are Staging Services Tax Deductible?

Most likely.  IRS Publication 523 explains tax rules that apply when a home seller sells their main home, including advertising expenses and how they influence the seller's capital gain or loss on the property.    Check with your tax advisor.

Are there Advantages to Selling Your Home Faster? 

You know the answer to this one!  Having a home on the market, especially one that you're living in, is a PAIN!  Keeping it essentially spotless at all times, waiting for the phone to ring or a knock on the door, hoping that each realtor and buyer that tromps through the house will result in a sale is inconvenient and stressful, to say the least!  And if you have kids or pets.....well, bless you!

What if you've already found another house or moved to another community?  It is now essential to sell as soon as possible so you don't have two mortgages hanging over your head.

But be careful.  Did you know that vacant homes typically take twice as long to sell?  Staging an empty space is vital, and it is an investment that can pay off very quickly.  Click here for more information on staging your Vacant Home.

Can I Stage My House Myself?

Maybe.  Certainly most people can do "pre-staging" steps. 

If you have the time, money and talent, you can do most of the work to make your home look "turnkey," (that's a fancy real estate term which means that the property is ready to move into without doing a thing to it). 

We'll even tell you what you can do here.

If you have no design training, however, you likely will not be able to show your home in its absolute best light.

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The keys to making your home desirable include:

• Make Repairs - Buyers will want you to pay them in price reductions if repairs are needed.   
• Depersonalize - Yes, the hot pink room probably does need to be painted!
• Declutter - Too much stuff, even good stuff, makes your home feel small and lacking in storage.
• Emotional Connections - Making the space warm & inviting with updated furniture and accessories. This is where most people need some professional help.

For more tips on what you can do to prepare your home, click here.