Common Myths About Home Staging–Debunked!

If only what we see on TV reflected reality…

As a home stager, I have mixed feelings about what I see on real estate shows. The homes that  buyers tour on HGTV are just a little too perfect to be real. Every room is perfectly clean, and every property looks like a model home. We’re all smart enough to know it’s not reality, right?

There are also some portrayals of home stagers on popular TV shows that don’t accurately reflect who home stagers are, and what we do. I’m going to dispel a few of these myths, and correct the record about what home staging is, and is not.

Myth #1: Home staging is where the stager brings in furniture to decorate a property

Well, it’s not exactly incorrect, but it’s not quite accurate, either. Home stagers work with owners of currently-occupied homes, as well as vacant properties. In occupied homes, stagers work with the occupants to pare down furnishings, decide what to pack ahead of the move, rearrange furniture strategically, and add impactful decor. We want to hook the prospective buyer, definitely, but preparing the home for listing photos is actually our most critical role. 

We look at the property as a buyer would, and evaluate every room’s photogenic potential. Good stagers have tricks for making rooms appear larger and brighter, with more open space. In photographs, open space looks good; busy or crowded decor does not photograph well. Most homeowners are unaware of that fact, so we guide and educate the seller to make the listing pop.

For empty homes, we bring in key furnishings to warm up the space and give the prospective buyer a sense of coziness. Bare rooms appear cold and angular; staged rooms appear softer and inviting. So in a way, the first myth is true, but only a partial truth about home staging.

Myth #2: Home stagers will criticize the decor of the home

Home stagers give honest feedback about what appeals to current buyers, and what looks appealing in photographs. Stagers help home sellers to avoid common staging mistakes that DIY’ers make. We are not there to criticize the decor that the owner loves. Our only motivation is to guide the seller or property owner in making the home look as appealing as possible, with the goal of getting an offer quickly. 

Keep in mind that when selling (or leasing) the property is the goal, the owner’s personal taste is irrelevant. Look at the property as an asset to be leveraged for the best deal possible. Staging is basically decorating for online marketing and showings, so we recommend decorating to appeal to prospective buyers, not to the current owner’s personal taste. 

Failing to stage ensures that buyers will criticize decor that they see as unappealing.

Myth #3: Home stagers are too expensive

Let me answer that myth with a question: what is the cost of not staging? Will the home listing stagnate because nobody is interested? How much will an extra month of mortgage, insurance, and utilities payments cost if the property doesn’t sell? How much will the asking price need to be lowered because of failing to stage in a way that appeals to the target audience?

Staging is much less expensive than missing the mark, in most cases. If done well, staging will not only entice buyers, it will make the home stand out amongst the competition.

Myth #4: Staging is unnecessary

If a home is competing against other homes that are staged, or new model homes, then the seller should stage to level the playing field. Failing to stage only helps the competition to gain momentum.

Myth #5: My home is well-decorated already

I believe you! However, home owners are rarely able to truly view their own properties objectively. A stager can evaluate the property objectively, and give helpful feedback before prospective buyers give exactly the same feedback.

You’re in love with your red dining room, porcelain clown collection, and custom curtains? Good for you! Just keep in mind that if your personal taste does not have wide appeal, you will be waiting for the buyer who shares your enthusiasm for Precious Moments collectibles.

Myth #6: Home staging is only needed for expensive homes

Not true at all! Any home can benefit from a styling evaluation, even in a modest price range. If your home is the best-staged home in the price range, your home will be the one that buyers are fighting over.

Gate City Design offers Home Styling Evaluations in-person for central North Carolina, or virtually for any location. Consider the cost of dropping your price, or (gulp) the cost of not selling your property–it could mean dropping your price by THOUSANDS of dollars! Investing $299 on an evaluation before listing is one of the wisest decisions you can make as a property owner!

Contact us today for an evaluation! We provide a comprehensive Selling Success Plan, as well as a number of helpful resources for you. You want to move on to your next adventure; we are here to help you get it done!

Hillary McAlhany is the owner and Senior Creative Consultant of Gate City Design. She is a certified professional home stager/redesigner, E-designer & color expert. Although she is based in North Carolina, she offers remote design services outside of the central North Carolina region.