There is one ‘S’ word that scares homeowners even more than the thought of selling… staging. While at first mention, people run (no, literally!) from the thought of ‘living in a museum’, the stats below from the California Association of Realtors® reaffirm what we have witnessed for decades: staged homes spend less time on the market, earn a greater ROI and are far more appealing to buyers.

But… is all staging created equal? In short, no. The Q&A’s we have created below address why staging is important today and how it should differ from home to home.

IS STAGING REALLY STILL ‘IN’? AREN’T BUYERS GOING TO COME IN AND DO WHAT THEY WANT ANYWAY?

Staging is not only 'in', it matters now more than ever thanks to the reality shows and makeover madness that dominate HGTV and Pinterest. Home prices are already high, and that home and garden eye candy is setting those expectations even higher. Between what buyers are paying and what they are getting inspired by, the bar has really been raised and thoughtful staging is the way to rise to the occasion.

WHAT’S THE MAGIC STAGING FORMULA?

While there are definite color palettes that create a calming and pleasant atmosphere, no one formula fits all. A $750,000 condo will require a different approach than a $3.5 million-dollar estate. In addition, how a home is staged should fit who is likely to buy the home. A full-time working executive is unlikely to be inspired by a nursery. A family with young children may not be drawn to a minimalist approach in an otherwise flexible and functional floor plan. Staging is often a delicate balance between highlighting a home’s best features and still leaving plenty of room for the imagination (known as the buyers needs & lifestyle!).

CAN ANYONE REALLY LIVE IN A STAGED HOME?

It can be done! Our goal at Homes of Silicon Valley is always two-fold: to maximize your ROI and to minimize your stress. When discussing your home’s preparation for sale, we will ask you what items you want and need access to so that you can keep living your life with comfort and convenience during the transaction process. We also have TONS of pictures to show you what has worked well for homes like yours and situations like yours, so that we can literally show you what to expect based on your property type and your lifestyle needs.

We truly feel for buyers who have come to us stressed out and discouraged that certain things were non-negotiable when their home was prepared for sale. Your voice should always be heard and your needs should always be met. Period.

3 Different Homes, 3 Different Styles...

Please let us know if you have any questions about how we decide to stage each home, what the process looks like and what the results can be. After all, making your home look its best to earn its best really is the fun part!

All our best,

Mark & Jason