Do Buyers Prefer To See Staged Homes? (countertop, property, vents)

[lkmax]

I like empty. I don't worry that something is being "covered up," like a stain on the floor or something. Plus, it's easier to visualize my "stuff" in the house when it's empty.

Also, a lot of staged homes look really cheesy.

[Blondy]

As a buyer I don't care because I either have an emotional reaction to the house or I don't. The emotional reaction is more about the lot, privacy, how I envision myself moving through/living in the space etc.and probably most important, houses that evoke houses I have loved in the past. If I have that reaction, I notate measurements which I can tell by looking to make sure I can live with them and/or weigh up practical concerns regarding condition of the house. The owners décor or furniture or staging makes no difference to me other than possibly interesting decorating ideas.


As a seller I accept that lots of people cant envision themselves or their furniture in a home even though its difficult for me to relate to that and also that research regarding staging indicates higher prices/faster selling time.


So, as a buyer I don't care; as a seller I would and did stage.

[mxxm98]

I like minimal staging, so I can see specs of the house, Im very visual so it helps. backyard I like clean so I can see fullperimeter

[hotzcatz]

The kind of houses we buy are never staged. So far two of the houses have been listed as "vacant lots" and the house was considered a detriment. Keeps the prices really low when there's no staging involved. So, if we're buying - no staging. When we're getting them ready to be rented - empty but really clean. So far we haven't sold any of them, we seem to keep them as rentals. But if we were going to sell one, it would be staged, but not professionally staged.

[JONOV]

Originally Posted by CSD610

I always skipped listings with photos of homess that were obviously staged. If the seller is going to lie about how they actually live in the home, they will lie about other things that are much more important.

How can you tell if its obviously staged? Some people keep their place model-home clean. I knew one woman who vacuumed and dusted every day, and called her adult child to make sure she kept up the regimen when she was out of town.

Some people keep their home decorated like a Pottery Barn magazine, redecorating every couple of years.

How is staging dishonest? Is someone that paints over the walls that their kids scuffed up (or wrote on) dishonest? What about someone that keeps their house much cleaner anticipating? Is that dishonest? Because clearly they aren't as "Clean" as they claim to be with you.

[Gypsy-Moth]

I much prefer an empty house. Staging never looks like a real person lives there, and sometimes it's distracting. I'd never pay a premium for a staged house.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by JONOV

How can you tell if its obviously staged?

It is like pornography: I know it when I see it.

Start with a normal, lived in, occupied house. There will be some clutter as we all have cute items on display and kitchen tools within easy reach.

Now, declutter like crazy. Remove all the tchotchkes. Hide 90% of the kitchen tools. For example, that coffee make you use every morning is gone. Would you call this house staged? Some people would.

Now, remove 1/3 the furniture to open it up. Have some expert help rearranging the furniture. Staged or not?

Now, remove everything and bring in innocuous, contemporary, light-colored, low/mid-priced furniture arranged in an artful manner. Staged? Well, yes. Obviously.

So, staged or not?

[Ted Bear]

There is a reason builders and developers put (cheap) furniture in their homes.

[emm74]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

It is like pornography: I know it when I see it.

Start with a normal, lived in, occupied house. There will be some clutter as we all have cute items on display and kitchen tools within easy reach.

Now, declutter like crazy. Remove all the tchotchkes. Hide 90% of the kitchen tools. For example, that coffee make you use every morning is gone. Would you call this house staged? Some people would.

Now, remove 1/3 the furniture to open it up. Have some expert help rearranging the furniture. Staged or not?

Now, remove everything and bring in innocuous, contemporary, light-colored furniture arranged in an artful manner. Staged? Well, yes. Obviously.

So, staged or not?

Yes, I'm definitely beginning to wonder whether what I consider staged is the same thing as others do.

(and as always, enjoy seeing your beautiful home!)

[bande1102]

I also think there's a big difference if you're marketing to first-time buyers or experienced home owners.

I'm an experienced home owner and my last house purchase was for a totally vacant house. I wanted a specific location, school district and size. Once I had that, it simply came down to price.

I currently live in a neighborhood that attracts first-time homebuyers and newly-transferred military. These buyers usually have young kids, are extremely busy and cash poor. They don't have the time or energy (or money) to even think about how to use the second living space or sitting space. Staging works very well with these buyers.