COVID-19 has been here for awhile and unfortunately this may be something that we all have to deal with for a time period that is much longer than we initially expected.

However, the pandemic did create one good thing in this line of business - a HOT real estate market in the 417. With low interest rates, homes across the area are flying off the market quicker than ever.

So if the market is hot, why would you bother staging it?

Reason 1: Staging increases the dollar value offered by buyers.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the 2019 Profile of Home Staging found that when a home is staged, 22 percent of sellers’ agents report an estimated increase of five percent of the dollar value offered by buyers, in comparison to similar homes. Seventeen percent of respondents said that staging a home increased the dollar value between six and 10 percent.

Reason 2: Staging will help your listing photos stand out on the internet.

Home buyers during COVID19 still make many of their buying decisions online, and a home that has been professionally staged and properly photographed will stand out from the competition. Great staging + great photos = frequent web traffic and exposure.

Reason 3: Staging demonstrates a home’s potential.

According to NAR’s report, 83 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home, and 40 percent said that home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home. Whether the property is viewed in person or online, staging helps the buyers envision themselves living within that listing.

Reason 4: Staging can decrease the amount of time your listing stays on the market.

“Didn’t you just say the market is hot?” Yes, we did. And that is true. But according to NAR, staged homes spend 73% less time on the market. And who would not want to make more money on their listing in less time?

If you are a seller or realtor thinking about staging your upcoming listing and you are wondering if the service is necessary or essential, the answer is ABSOLUTELY! But let us be clear - we are not saying a home has to have staging in order to sell… the facts state that the listing has to be staged in order to earn top dollar.

For more information on home staging‘s importance during a pandemic, get in touch with us on our contact page today.