To Stage or Not To Stage?

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Many people in Calgary have never heard of home staging. This is surprising considering home staging is an industry standard in many larger cities across Canada. Here in Calgary it seems that only homes that are priced over the $800k are staged.

A friend of mine wrote a blog in October about Calgary luxury homes sales Crystal Tost Realtor with Re max says "We continue to see the luxury home market in Calgary spread it’s wings" This got me thinking why are luxury home sales on the rise in Calgary? Could it be that people in this price bracket understand the importance of how their home shows? Or do sellers understand at that price buyers are going to be picky? Or is it that a seller’s budget for staging is a part of their marketing?

 I can't say for sure why luxury homes sell, but I do know that the importance of how your home shows will help your property sell. I also know that when selling a Million dollar home most Realtors would suggest a stager be called. If even just to tweak the home using the current furniture and accessories. 

Single family homes sales are down 31% from last year according to The Calgary Real Estate Board  inventory levels are higher than last year. Buyers have become spoiled with all the choices. Buying a home is one of the biggest investments most people will make in their lifetime, however, sellers need to understand that once you list your home it becomes a product on the market. Like any market, the home needs to appeal to the target audience.

 A home Staging professional can help you prepare your home for sale because Stagers understand what buyers expect. Many home owners that have lived in their home for years think if it was good enough for them, why wouldn’t it be good enough for everyone else. A common saying is “What is great for dwelling is not always great for the selling” These seller's often think if it’s not broke don't fix it, but this way of thinking does not appeal to the masses. Most buyers want to move in, sit down and are willing to pay a premium price to achieve this.

Staging may be an investment on the sellers side, but stats show that staged homes sell in 78% less time than homes that have not been staged. Kelley Skar  Realtor with Sutton group writes "the relatively small investment when considering the return, may be of huge benefit. You only have one chance to make a first impression think about staging before your list your home.