[TrudyM]

Those who have sold their homes recently I would like your opinions.
Did you use a stager. I am being told (maybe because my furniture is old) that I need to get a stager to stage my home before I list it. Now I have to pay for this and it is expensive. Between $3500 and $5000 for the first month and between $500 and $1000 for each additional month. It varies depending on how much of my stuff they use. But two of the 4 realtors I have interviewed have told all my things will have to go into storage and I should also move out of the house while it is listed. Now in the prime summer months houses were going to contract within a week. But now it is fall and it could be spring before it sells.

PS We have a rental and are coming down for Jan-March 2015 so will see you all in a while.

[tuccillo]

No, we did not use a stager. I don't think they are necessary. De-clutter your house, especially closets, clean everything, and paint where necessary. Put seldom used items in storage. Less stuff is better. Many people have a lot of "stuff" in their house. I know it can be difficult but remove the "stuff".

Originally Posted by TrudyM

Those who have sold their homes recently I would like your opinions.
Did you use a stager. I am being told (maybe because my furniture is old) that I need to get a stager to stage my home before I list it. Now I have to pay for this and it is expensive. Between $3500 and $5000 for the first month and between $500 and $1000 for each additional month. It varies depending on how much of my stuff they use. But two of the 4 realtors I have interviewed have told all my things will have to go into storage and I should also move out of the house while it is listed. Now in the prime summer months houses were going to contract within a week. But now it is fall and it could be spring before it sells.

PS We have a rental and are coming down for Jan-March 2015 so will see you all in a while.

[tommy steam]

I always thought you paid a fee to stage your home., a onetime fee. Why would you be charged every month? When I sold my home I was told to de clutter the home get rid of personal items, pictures, ect. Good luck in selling your home.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by TrudyM

Those who have sold their homes recently I would like your opinions.
Did you use a stager. I am being told (maybe because my furniture is old) that I need to get a stager to stage my home before I list it. Now I have to pay for this and it is expensive. Between $3500 and $5000 for the first month and between $500 and $1000 for each additional month. It varies depending on how much of my stuff they use. But two of the 4 realtors I have interviewed have told all my things will have to go into storage and I should also move out of the house while it is listed. Now in the prime summer months houses were going to contract within a week. But now it is fall and it could be spring before it sells.

PS We have a rental and are coming down for Jan-March 2015 so will see you all in a while.

Without seeing your home and your furnishings it is difficult to make a suggestion, but it sounds like your realtors are trying to get you to do their job for them. Move out?? As long as you are flexible on showings and are not total slobs, I cannot see you having to move. Maybe they just do not want you around when they are showing so you cannot hear what they have to say about your home. It is not uncommon for realtors to use one home to sell another one.

Have you gone online and looked at some websites on staging. Probably some Youtube videos also. Might be cheaper to dig up some free advice, buy some furniture that fits the advice and do it yourself. Sell the furniture or donate later.

[Walt.]

Originally Posted by TrudyM

... I am being told (maybe because my furniture is old) that I need to get a stager to stage my home before I list it. Now I have to pay for this and it is expensive. Between $3500 and $5000 for the first month and between $500 and $1000 for each additional month...

I bet if you asked they could just possibly come up with the name of a stager that they understand is very good...

As other posters have suggested: declutter, clean, touch-up paint where needed, clean up front yard. I wouldn't bother with a stager.

[Medtrans]

We have sold many houses and a couple of times we used a stager. They were a lot less expensive years ago. However, we paid a one-time fee and they came in and told us what we needed to get out of the house to make it look less cluttered and roomier. Then they moved some of my stuff around (wish I had thought of their ideas) and made our house look great. What you're talking about is a company coming in with all new furnishings, pics, etc. so you are in a sense renting this stuff. You have to de-personalize your house, no pics, no trinkets, no extra furniture pieces. Keep it clean. Take down any outdated window treatments. Clean your carpets, wash your windows, paint any areas that need touch-ups and any rooms that do not have a neutral color. Everything should be neutral. Buyers needs to walk in and picture themselves living in THE house, not your house. Another idea is to go to TV website and go to pre-owned houses for sale and look through the pics. You will see what I mean about what not to do and great ideas on what looks nice. Best of luck to you. I think a nice clean uncluttered house can sell itself.

[Codysmom]

We just sold our house last week and we had it staged. My husband used to be a realtor and people have a very difficult time envisioning their furniture in a house. Our cost, however, was significantly less than what you were quoted. We only staged the main floor and bedrooms and left the lower level which was a walkout empty with pictures of what it looked like with furniture. Our house sold in less than 3 months so we felt the investment was worth it.

[TrudyM]

Yes each realtor has a card of a stager they work with. And they are convincing people, most of the houses listed look like you walked into a high end furniture showroom.

The stagers apparently use very little of your own furniture but have coordinated rooms that they bring in. So you are paying for renting the furniture which is also why they want you to move out.

The realtors say we should move out so the showing realtors don't have to set up appointments and can show at will.

[elizabeth52]

Our house is currently on the market. Prior to putting it up for sale, we did everything that has been suggested here. Our Realtor said that she often suggests staging but it was not necessary in our case. We haven't had any negative comments about the house itself, just about it being on a busy road, so I guess she was right. I can't imagine having to leave it until it sells! Just make sure to make everything sparkle.

[raynan]

Didn't use a stager. Decluttered and then made sure there was plenty of lighting left and minimal furniture. Put furniture in storage or if it's not worth keeping, donate it, sell it, whatever. Box up everything you are keeping and not necessarily using on a daily basis and store in 1 closet or basement. You'll be surprised how quick it is to clean when this is done. Do not move out but be very accommodating when the realtor calls with a showing and leave. We just went to the end of the street in our car with books to read and then when we saw the realtor's car leave we went back. I would touch up any paint and have any carpeting steam cleaned.

[gomoho]

Depends on the market where you are trying to sell your home. If there are more homes than buyers than you probably should do everything you can to make your home stand out. If that is not the case do all the de-clutter, spit shine, etc. everyone else has recommended.

[Mudder]

Trudy, knowing what weather is like on Mercer Island for the next 5 or 6 months just make sure your house is priced right fir starters. As others said, just de clutter down to the bare necessities, etc... Maybe hire an interior decorator for an hour or two to come in and give you ideas of how to best show your house. Actually some realtors can do that. As others have said de clutter down to the bare bones, etc...... Don't move out, that's a little crazy. Try to be patient, one rainy cold day the right people will come along and love your house! Can't beat the location, my daughter lives on MI. Good luck.

[MSGirl]

Just sold my home.
1. Neutralize- if you have color on your walls, freshly paint in a neutral color. Do not use white
2. Declutter- pack up all personal momentos. Buyers want to see themselves in your home. Clean out your closets and cabinets. If your rooms have an over abundance of furniture, take out and put in storage
3. Don't forget the outside- curb appeal. Cut the grass and trim the bushes
I sold my house in a difficult market in 3 days with 2 offers
Good luck

[NotGolfer]

We've moved many times and never staged or used a stager. Though it is a good idea to de-clutter and take personal items (think photos on walls for instance). Minimize furniture in rooms as well. Years ago we were trying to sell our home and it wasn't selling. The realtor told us (this was in the 80's) that potential buyers were having a hard time visualizing their items in the rooms, that we had way too much furniture. That was a learning experience for us to be sure.

We sold our "up north" house---one realtor told us we needed to re-paint the walls as the colors we had were too bold. We didn't and our house still sold---that was in a sluggish market too. The colors were popular and not garrish so maybe that helped.

[TrudyM]

We are in the middle of declutter but it is taking longer than we thought. All rooms (except one bedroom which is blue) are neutral tones. We also replaced all the old trims with more updated clean white. We are redoing the half bath as it was the only dated thing left. We don't have any carpets only hardwood so nothing to worry about there. We have already gotten rid of some excess furniture to habitat for humanity. I just can't figure what to do with an antique dresser I don't really want.

I might hire an interior decorator for a couple of hours consult that is a good idea.

Our other houses have always sold empty as we were corporate moved a lot and they sold after we left town which is why despite this being our 7th house I am a little uncertain as to the plan.

I am rambling on sorry