Selling in Venice? Stage Your Home for a Higher Sales Price

A first of it's kind survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reveals that buyers prefer a staged home that appeals to their tastes, and that proper staging results in a higher sales price.

Keep in mind that for today's buyers, staging goes beyond a sparkling clean home and a clutter-free environment.  Staging with color and furnishings helps a buyer visualize their belongings in the space.

In the survey, 93% of real estate agents who work with buyers said they thought a well-staged home contributed to a positive impression of a buyer's view of the home.  46% of agents thought a staged home contributed to a buyer's willingness to tour the home in person after viewing it online.  Forty-five percent said a home decorated to a buyer's taste positively impacted its value.  

When it comes to selling the home from a listing agent's perspective, the view of staging is a bit different.  One-third of all Realtors use staging all the time, while 13% use staging for a home they perceive to be difficult to sell.

The median price spent on staging a home was $675.  According to the survey, most Realtors thought staging resulted in a 1-5% sales price increase.

Question:  Would you spend $675 to make an additional $2,000 to $10,000 on the sale of your home or condo in the Venice or Sarasota area?