It’s nothing strange to get the question: what is home staging? The concept of home staging is relatively new to South Africa, but not new in the world. It’s rise in popularity especially in the Western Cape is however inevitable. Statistics show the advantage it has given home sellers in America.
One of the biggest challenges to this growth is understanding exactly what home staging is.
Home staging is the business of preparing a house or apartment. The aim is giving it the best chance of achieving the property seller’s target price, in the fastest time. In practice, it requires objectively evaluating and designing a space – in relation to its contents – with the aim of making it the most appealing it can be. A particular skill set is required. This includes the ability to see the space for what it is and what it should be. An experienced, trained and qualified home stager is best suited for the task.
Customers of home stagers are typically private home-sellers, estate agents and property developers.
Staging vs selling
A home stager is not an estate agent. While each may have some insight into the other, the skills are different. Selling a property is different to understanding the business of property transaction. Each requires a specific set of skills, and approach, underscored by experience and training. They are both essential to achieving a satisfactory outcome.
How does home staging pricing work?
Home stagers have different ways of pricing for their work and as with your estate agent, it is best to do a bit of homework. Without it, the cheapest deal may turn out to be the most expensive. Before calling up, visit their website.
Check to see what projects the prospective home stager has undertaken. Ask about qualifications and the experience they have. Check their references. Then, make contact and talk price. This may involve a once-off consult, a written report or hiring the home stager to undertake the complete project.
Having done this, you’re well on your way to making the sale experience a pleasurable and efficient one. And you know what home staging is!