Should you stage a vacant home? To stage or not to stage can be a controversial question, and the answer can be a very individualized one.  Various factors that come into play are condition (lipstick on a pig never works!), price point (spending $5K to stage a $90K home doesn’t make great financial sense), and demand (is it a home likely to sell the same day it comes on the market regardless).

Leaving it empty

If you choose NOT to add in staging furniture there are still plenty of things you can do to give your vacant home a fresh look.  A new coat of paint and clean carpet are two cost effective ways to
give your home an updated feel with out breaking the bank.  Consider adding in just a few simple accent pieces such as a mirror over the fireplace or a wreath on the front door to cut down on the stark feel of an empty home.

Staging with only a few pieces

Adding in a few select pieces such as towels in the baths or a table in the dining room can be a great way to add a bit of polish.  Just be careful to chose quality over quantity – it’s better to have no chair at all than a folding one designed for camping out.

Staging the home completely

If you decide to go “all in” and do a complete staging now might be the time to call in a “pro” – either an interior designer or a home stager.  Be sure to clearly communicate your budget and expectations.  Ask for a floor plan with ideas ahead of time and that the furniture fits with the style of the home.

After you’ve given it some thought, feel free to ask one of our agents for their expert opinion. Every situation is different!

From the desk of: Andrea Davitt