Professional Staging vs DIY Staging: Which is right for you?
Both have advantages, so it depends on the homeowner’s budget and needs to determine which is the right option for them. Here are some things to consider to help you make an informed decision.
Professional Home Staging
Strategic marketing
The biggest advantage of hiring a professional home stager is their strategic expertise. Home stagers are more than just stylists; they know how a buyer’s mind works and how to tap into their psychology. There is an extensive understanding of the real estate market as a whole and locally, as well as demographics and trends. They bring all of this knowledge to the table to create an effective marketing plan for their clients’ properties through home staging.
Saves time and stress
There are a lot of responsibilities on the homeowner when a house is going on the market. Having to stage it yourself is yet another large, important task to take on. Putting it in the hands of a professional clears up your time and energy for other things, and you can rest assured that it will be done in the most efficient, lucrative way possible.
Access to a network of vendors
Professional home stagers have access to a network of skilled vendors that can help with any projects that need to be done to make your home ready for the market, such as repairs, painting, flooring, and landscaping. Instead of having to find contractors or doing all the work yourself, you can trust that the best people for the job will see it through.
DIY Home Staging
Budget-friendly
The biggest draw to DIY home staging is the budget-friendly aspect of it. Instead of investing in a professional, you save money by carrying out all the steps yourself from researching the market and analyzing your property to taking care of repairs and staging the home for sale. Our book Stageology: Staging Your Home for Sale is a step-by-step guide that can help see you through the process.
Of course, you could always have the best of both worlds. An in-person or virtual consultation with a professional home stager is a great way to save money while also taking advantage of their strategic expertise. They’ll give you a customized plan for your property that you can then carry out yourself on your own time.
If you do decide you want to put it all in the hands of a professional home stager, keep in mind that home staging is always less than the first price reduction of your property should it stay on the market too long without attracting a buyer.