Staging a vacant property isn’t just putting furniture in an empty room.
Vacant property sellers who use staging know something that most people don’t. When a house is staged properly, it doesn’t just look fuller. The perceived value of the home improves drastically.
How does staging make such a difference? Here are the top 5 reasons why staging a vacant home is the smartest decision you can make.
Makes the rooms seem larger
It’s difficult for people to accurately gauge the size of a room just by their eye. If the room is empty, there’s nothing to anchor buyers’ sense of scale. When there’s furniture, buyers can see that a room fits not only a couch, but a big rug, a loveseat, and a plush armchair. Because of the staging, every room looks bigger, making the home appear more valuable.
Creates an emotional connection with the buyer
This is where demographic and psychographic staging really pays off. A very neutral, decorated home may look nice. But it’s not memorable. There’s nothing there for a buyer to relate to and think, wow, this feels like my home.
When a home is staged according to buyer demographics and psychographics, it’s a different story. This kind of staging appeals to the specific kind of buyer most likely to want that particular property. Now, when that kind of buyer walks through the door, they can actually forge an emotional connection with the property. That makes the home more memorable and more valuable in their eyes.
Draws the eye towards the best attributes of the home
A lot of vacant homes on the market are vacant because they were recently built or rehabbed by a flipper. Some of the best features of the house, like the countertops or fireplace, were probably a significant investment for the current seller and investors.
If a seller simply decorates the house to make it “pretty,” the buyer’s eye won’t fall on these great features. The buyers will get distracted by needless clutter or poor design. Properly staged, however, the house’s furnishings and accessories will highlight the best features of each room. After all, staging is marketing; it ensures that the buyer’s eye goes exactly where we want it.
Showcases the utility of each and every space
Even in a freshly renovated house, you may find some odd alcoves or awkwardly sized rooms that could make a potential buyer scratch their head. How could this space actually be used?
Staging takes all of that uncertainty away. Awkward corners turn into breakfast nooks; a small room off the entryway becomes a home office or sitting room. Staging allows buyers to visualize standard spaces better too. For instance, they see that the master bedroom has room for an armoire and a desk, or that they could fit two twin beds into the kids’ room instead of just one. As the house suits more and more of a buyer’s needs, the property’s perceived worth increases.
Delivers a high ROI for investors
Many vacant property sellers are builders, flippers, or investors. They’re selling with one goal in mind: Return On Investment (ROI). The average ROI for home staging is over 500%. That means for every thousand dollars an investor spends on staging, on average, they get back over $5,000. This is the added value that staging brings in the eyes of home buyers.
Home stagers—do you want to learn how to specialize in vacant property staging? Check out our Vacant Property Specialist 2.0 certification class and register for our upcoming training dates!