More and more, people hire a professional home stager to prepare their property for sale. Yet, some hesitate because of the additional expense. Here’s how I determine the cost to professionally stage your property for added value and a quick sale.
 
First, I assess your home in person. This free assessment is to get clear about the size, location, target market, number of rooms, and additional furniture/artwork/accessories required to professionally stage your property for sale. The goal is to present your property at its best and in a way that speaks to your potential buyers.
 
My fees vary based on that individual assessment. For example:

• A consultation costs $249 + GST (I make recommendations specific to your property that you can implement yourself)
• Staging a lived-in home under 1,000 square feet starts at $748 + GST (consultation plus $499 for two stagers to come in and re-arrange the furniture/accessories you already have)
• Staging a vacant property ranges from $1,750 to $6,000+ + GST (2+ stagers do the staging work and fee includes furniture rental)

 
How are home staging costs for empty homes determined?

• 50% – furniture, artwork & accessory rentals
• 25% – set up/staging labour
• 15% – delivery & removal
• 10% – planning/consultation

 
So, in a vacant property under 1,000 square feet, the cost of adding staging furniture and accessories alone is estimated at about $875 plus GST (not including planning, delivery, removal and set up). It adds up, but it’s amazing how the right décor can create an environment that quickly attracts the right buyer.
 
If you’ve seen professionally staged properties (think model homes), you know that it’s worth the up-front expense. The spaces tend to be more inviting and memorable. And in the end, sellers benefit. Homes sell faster for more money. Done right, staging can pay for itself and more!
 
Set Your Stage properties sold over two times faster on average than the homes in the same areas! Contact me, Jennifer Campbell, to professionally stage your home for added value in the Calgary area.
 

Before: Living room before staging. — in Calgary.

After: This space is now a great place to entertain company. It sold in less than one day and over the asking price.

Want a quick transformation for your home? Try one of thirty of Glen Godlonton’s suggestions from his newsletter: Improve Your Home: 30 Weekend Projects.

First impressions sell. All it takes is a couple of minutes. So you have to be objective in staging your home for sale – and realize your potential home buyers’ emotions trump your own.
 
Selling our home can be emotional. We create the space that we feel good in, surrounding ourselves with colours and items that we love. So when the time comes to sell, it can be hard to separate our own feelings about the space from what a potential buyer might prefer. That’s why it makes sense to get help from various real estate professionals. We can help you to be objective and prepared.
 
To make the point, here’s an exercise for you. Watch this episode of The Unsellables and consider how you would feel in the space. What would your concerns be?
 
Pay attention to some of the comments:

• “It sets buyers’ minds whirling – like they haven’t done anything to this house since the 80’s. Does that mean I’m going to have to re-do the wiring, the central air, the roof? Then they’re looking for the imperfections rather than looking for the good things.” Stager (re: dated light and mirror wall in dining room)
• I feel like I’m in a hotel and I want to stay here.” Seller (re: viewing a comparable house for sale in their neighbourhood – that was staged)

Notice how people describe the way they feel in the space. What is the lifestyle they desire?
 
Selling a house can be emotional. And buying a house can be emotional too. Successful selling requires that you create an environment that feels like home to a potential buyer. To do that, you need to understand who the potential buyer is and what “feeling or lifestyle” they want to buy.
 
A house can tick all the boxes on a buyer’s list. But it’s often the emotional connection (of the buyer, not you) – based on first impression – that will tip the sale in your direction. You need to be objective and prepared.