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FAQ
» What exactly is home staging and is it the same as decorating? What exactly is home staging and is it the same as decorating? No, it is not the same as decorating! Your property is now a product that needs to be marketed and you have to detach and stop thinking of it as your “home”. Home staging is the process of preparing a property for sale and creating a favourable first impression, from the photo’s on the MLS right through to the point when potential buyers are walking through the property. By highlighting top selling features, enhancing functionality and visual flow, we create a desire in the buyer to make your home their own. We have a proven system for arranging furnishings, lighting, art and accessories to create a positive impact on buyers from the first time they see the property. Why do I need to stage my property? Because you never get a second chance at a first impression. With all the beautiful show suites in new developments, tv design shows and countless articles creating an image of what people think our homes should look like, today’s buyers have high expectations. Staging will highlight the best features your property has to offer and help it stand out from the competition. Real estate is a big investment for most people, why not take the steps to get the most out of that investment. Even conservative statistics show that staged properties sell in half of the time and for at least 5% more than its non-staged neighbours. Most property’s sell eventually, why bother with the additional expense? Where do you see yourself in 30 days? Two months? It’s all up to you! The longer your property sits on the market, the more likely your asking price will be reduced and it may prevent you from moving ahead and shopping for your new home! Buyers who are shopping will rush out to see all new listings that are within their price range and desired area. You want them to LOVE yours above all others. We can help make that a reality. Is de-cluttering a home the same as staging? De-cluttering is only one aspect of a complete home staging. Considered part of the pre-staging, this is when home owners can take advantage and start packing away items they don’t need on a daily basis. It involves going through each room and editing the items in the space, packing collections and personal items away so potential buyers can see what is for sale, the property! The more you pack away before you list, the less you have to do when you sell and have to move, making that busy time less stressful. What is the first step? We will set up a time that works for you to view the property and assess the priorities. This initial consultation takes about an hour and is $100. We walk through the property with the homeowner and/or Realtor, leaving a detailed “pre-staging” list of our recommendations, followed up with an e-mail. Can I use my own furniture and accessories? Absolutely! We always try and use what the homeowner has to keep the costs down. Sometimes we just bring in a few accessories, if that will make the difference in the final product. We want the property to show it’s absolute best for potential buyers. I know my property needs some painting and repairs done before listing… SPACELiFT works with many professional, qualified trades people that we have built relationships with, ensuring you are in good hands. All repairs and renovations need to be completed prior to staging the property and we will be able to recommend what repairs will give the best ROI. By reducing the amount of repairs needed prior to moving in, you will be less likely to have a potential buyer make a low offer, knowing that the property is move in ready. What if my property is empty? Statistics show empty properties just don’t sell as well as furnished ones. People buy based on emotion and a well staged house can make a difference on how they feel when they walk into a space. Empty rooms don’t give much feeling or provide potential buyers with visual sense of what will fit into a space. We can provide rental furniture and accessories to make the property come alive, look like a show suite and make the MLS photo’s look beautiful. Why should I use a professional staging company? Like any successful team, things works better if you have team members using their strengths to ensure a successful outcome. We are good at our job and our experience means we can stage a property to look it’s best and in less time. We work with many Realtors throughout the lower mainland and know that they prefer to show a professionally staged property. It increases the chance of a quicker sale and it will usually sell for more money than un-staged properties, win/win for everyone involved. What will staging my property cost? Less than a price reduction! The cost is dependant on what the condition the property is, pre listing. If you can do most of the pre-staging work yourself (ie: de-clutter, cleaning, yard work) it will keep the costs down. If we use all of your existing furniture and accessories, there isn’t a fee for the rentals. Our fees are based on a daily rate of $900 (almost every property falls within the ½ day to full day of staging) and will rise if we are sourcing for rental furniture and accessories. After we have done a pre-staging consultation, we will e-mail you a complete outline of the project with a quote. Remember, think of staging as a roi (return on investment), not an expense. We have clients that have gotten as much as 30% more on their property. How long will it take to stage my home? This depends entirely on how much “pre-staging” work needs to be done. An initial one hour consultation will give you a game plan to work from. Once that is complete, the property has been de-cluttered, cleaned and the pre-pack is complete, we only need a day to come in and do our magic. How important are the MLS photo’s to the marketing of my property? Extremely important! Those photo’s need to POP! The internet is an important marketing tool that more than 90% of potential buyers use before going to see a property. Can you afford to not have these photo’s looking their best? Staged properties stand out on the MLS and will draw potential buyers out to look at a property. Think of it as advertising for your investment. Should I stage my own home? You can certainly do some work to prepare your house and reduce the expense of a professional home stager but selling a home is usually a stressful time for most people, even under the best circumstances. Most homeowners are not able to see their home objectively (us included!) We are here to help. We can see the property through the buyers’ eyes, without the emotional attachments. This is our job and we are good at it. We come in quickly and efficiently, helping you bring the best features forward in your property, helping you to move ahead with the next phase of your life. |