Home Staging Blog by Jennie Norris

SHould houses that are in Short Sale be Staged?

Yes - the seller that are already upsidedown financially in the house might disagree when they just think of Staging as "another cost" related to a house they are losing money on, but without Staging the house, the only other bargaining chip they have to bring a buyer is PRICE.

Staging can actually help a Short Sale Seller KEEP MORE MONEY!  How?

When the average price reduction is 5-20% of the list price (according to National Association of Realtors), without Staging to present the house well, the Seller has to drop, drop, drop their price.  Staging will help a Seller keep that 5-20% of their price, because statistics prove that a Staged house does SELL faster than the un-staged competition.  When a Staged house sells, that competition continues to sit - and will drop in price - 5-20%.

They either invest in Staging up front, or reduce their price more than they have to on the back end to bring a buyer.  When, as Barb Schwarz first stated, "The Investment in Staging is always less than a Price Reduction," it is important that these sellers consider presentation as a key marketing tool that will help them owe less when the house does sell.

Presentation matters.  Even in a Short Sale.  Just because the seller is already in a negative position does not mean they should lose even more than needed.  Every house can and should be Staged for the Buyer.  Their properties are being compared to traditional sales, other short sales, and even foreclosures.  Their property needs to stand out on more than just price.

Because when the Buyer does make the offer, having an emotional connection to a well-presented house will help that offer come in sooner than later.  Our own company statistics that we track at We Stage Sacramento prove that our Staged properties are selling in 60 days or less, with 60% selling in 30 days or less.  Un-staged houses sit on the market longer, drop in price, and are unappealing to buyers.

Full Service Home Staging Companies like We Stage Sacramento can offer several cost affordable options to Sellers that are in a Short Sale situation.  From a detailed report with Staging recommendations a Seller can implement, to use of our extensive inventory to help add color, appeal, and even "WOW Factor," Staging helps to attract the buyer visually, and then locks them in emotionally.

Short Sale Sellers - and Short Sale Realtor Experts - Stage your houses to get a buyer sooner than later, and lessen the continued financial risk of the property.