costly bits are maximizing your space by moving objects around and cleaning/clearing your house out. Rearranging existing furniture and cleaning the house and roo ft op are some of the simple steps involved in this process. To enhance the e ff ects of staging, you’ll probably want to select new accessories and furniture to create a welcoming environment and dress up your newfound space a ft er you’ve decluttered. According to one survey, 90 percent of home buyers in the U.S. fir st search for houses on the Internet. So, when you’re listing a house, the photos need to be captivating to buyers—so much so that they can’t wait to see the house in person! Don’t think of money spent on staging as a waste, but as an investment or cost of doing business—and it will be recovered when the property is sold. It will pay o ff in t he long run, when it boosts the house’s perceived value. Well-staged homes sell faster, too. According to the Real Estate Staging Association, professionally listed staged properties simply look better, typically sell for more money, end up on buyers’ “must see” lists; and are viewed as “well-maintained. ” Th e staged properties have fewer concessions requested of the seller, and they spend 73 percent less time on the market. A survey by StagedHomes.com found that staged homes sell, on average, within 35 days of being placed on the market, while homes that are not staged take, on average, 145 days to sell. Selling faster means you spend less time and money on utilities, maintenance, and upkeep. You also might end up with long-term bene fi ts such as fewer showings, with less likelihood that you’ll eventually drop the price when you tire of waiting for a sale. If you spend appropriately by changing out some worn-out things and improving other facilities, you stand a better chance of selling your property quickly, and at a price that will earn you
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