Do You Need to Stage Before You Sell?

There’s no doubt that Ontario’s housing market is red hot. In recent years, a shortage of available housing along with growing demand has led to record-breaking costs for homes in the province. If you’re looking to sell your home soon, you may have wondered if current market conditions could allow you to take shortcuts during the selling process.

Although it may seem tempting, sellers who want to get the most out of their home sale should never cut corners – especially when it comes to staging. 

Despite the competitive nature of a seller’s market, staging your home before you sell is always a good idea. Not only can it help you land a great price for your home, but it can also make the process smoother all around. 

Here are a few reasons why you should stage your home before selling. 

Getting ready to move? Working with the right agent can make a big difference! Explore our approach to selling here. 

It’s Easier Than You Think

Before we dive into the benefits of staging your home, let’s clarify a few things. First, staging does not often mean undertaking large home improvement or renovation projects. The process of staging generally consists of tidying and optimizing things around your home to make it look its best. This typically means cleaning and decluttering, removing old or damaged furniture, adding or removing decor and the occasional fresh coat of paint. 

If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry. Most real estate agents can help you navigate this process, either through an in-house stager or their industry connections. 

First Impressions Matter 

As a seller, you’ve got competition too. While no two homes are identical, staging can help elevate your property over others in the eyes of buyers. In 2022, most house hunters begin their home search online. As a result, 90% of potential buyers will first discover your home on the web. How your home appears to buyers in photos and videos is equally important as how it looks during an in-person showing. 

Staging not only makes your home capture the eyes of potential buyers in person, but it also ensures your home looks great where they will see it first. With great visuals, sellers who stage their homes typically receive more requests for showings than those who don’t. 

Looking for information about selling your home? Check out these blog posts. 

• A Seller’s Guide to Multiple Offers
• Tips For Selling Your Home During the Winter Months
• 5 Common Mistakes Home Sellers Make

Faster Sales

With a great first impression online, your home is likely to have more showings and interested buyers. When your home looks great, buyers will be eager to make an offer. In 2020, a study performed by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) analyzed 13,000 for-sale homes and how long it took for them to sell. They determined that staged homes spend 73% less time on the market in comparison to homes that weren’t. 

Higher Offers

Perhaps the most compelling reason to stage your home is how it can impact the final selling price. Plain and simple, staging your home before you sell can help you land a higher price for it. Every circumstance is unique, however, the RESA’s 2020 study also suggests that staged homes sell for 5% to 25% more on average than their unstaged counterparts. 

Great staging allows potential buyers to envision themselves in your home. In a seller’s market like the GTA, bidding wars on homes are common. When buyers develop an emotional connection to your property, they’re willing to pay more for it. Therefore, staging is a great way to boost potential bidding wars in your favour. 

Getting ready to list your home? Check out these helpful blog posts to ensure you’ve got your bases covered. 

• What do Home Buyers Look For?
• The Dos and Don’ts of Selling Your Home
• Staging Your Home During the Holiday Season

How We Stage 

At the Lino Arci Team, we believe staging is an important part of every sale. With decades of experience, we’ve seen almost every kind of home and know what it takes to make yours shine. Through our vast network of industry professionals, we’ll connect you with a dedicated stager who will help prepare your home for the market.

Our stager will evaluate your home and determine the best ways to stand out amongst others in the area. With a focus on highlighting its unique strengths, our approach will help your home make a great first impression, sell faster and for a great price.  

Anxious about selling in an ever-changing market? We can ensure your success. Learn about our Your Home Sold Guaranteed approach here.