To stage or not to stage that is the question?

Question

What do you guys think about staging a flip house to sale? New to the game and just looking for any help I can get. Thanks for any advice.

Eric M. · Answer

It is not a question. Unless you have a contract to sell before you have even finished the rehab, you stage..... period.

There is discussion to be had about the extent to which you need to stage each house (how many rooms, how complete, how detailed, etc). You can overstage and you can understage. You can try to stage yourself if you do multiple flips.

Jim D. · Answer

I don't have any hard data to support my opinion, but I would never skip staging the houses I flip. I spend about $850 for staging, and I would estimate that it gets me around $5,000 more in sales price. Here's one I just finished:

https://www.zillow.com/homes/2731-32nd-St-SE-Kentwood,-MI,-49512_rb/23864963_zpid/?mmlb=g,2https://www.zillow.com/homes/2731-32nd-St-SE-Kentwood,-MI,-49512_rb/23864963_zpid/?mmlb=g,2

Patrick Britton · Answer

I have done both and quite frankly, if the market is very much in favor of the seller, I don't think it's worth it.  If it's a crazy strong buyer's market AND the cost of staging is reasonable, then maybe...maybe.

Mike Giallanza · Answer

Some homes and floor plans really need staging to help buyers visualize the potential for the home. Other homes have such a great layout that it may not be needed, in a seller's market. But the right interior decor really helps elevate the "wow factor" with a home, so it's typically a good investment that pays for itself.

Bevla Reeves · Answer

@Wade McGowan

Yes to staging!

If it's in your marketing budget, stage it for sure.

Some agents offer to include that in their marketing budget and add it to their services.  Look for that! ;)

Good luck Wade! ;)

Kuba F. · Answer

It really depends on what you're selling and who is your audience.  I'd say most properties over 75K selling to homeowners will benefit from some level of staging.  I typically budget 1-2% of the property value when using professional stagers.

Marcus Auerbach · Answer

We know from statistics and personal expppperience that staged homes will sell faster and for more. The numbers vary between 4% and 6% depending on who's data you look at. Its usually worth just to save on holding cost.

At a minimum stage the living room and the master bedroom, few pieces will do, no need to stage every room. Not staging a house is like selling a car without washing and detailing it.

Of course it depends a little bit on the price range as well and a 120k flip will be staged differently than a 400k flip. B ut in either case you are not selling a house, you are selling a way of life.

A lot of clients who stage will say, we should have done this when we moved in!

Shawn Ward · Answer

@Wade McGowan I am a huge proponent of staging. We've never sold a house without it. Many buyers do not have vision, so great staging helps deliver a glimpse of what the house can look like as a HOME. We budget for it on every flip. And, as everyone knows, rooms look smaller empty.

All the best

sjw

Lynn McGeein · Answer

I think staging is a waste unless the home has a problem layout, but I do keep an assortment of faux plants handy as I've found a simple orchid and guest towel in a bathroom or an arrangement on the kitchen island next to the brochures seems to add a comforting element in a vacant house, and it's much less expensive than staging.

Patrick Britton · Answer

The trouble is that no one has ever done a study that proves (with statistics) that staging is "worth it."  Sure some people might "feel" it's worthwhile but what exactly are the numbers?  If you cannot provide numbers, your opinion on the matter is worthless.

To stage or not to stage that is the question?

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