In Edmonton’s competitive real estate landscape, capturing potential buyers’ attention is more critical than ever.

One person who can make a significant difference in this regard is a professional home stager.

A professional home stager’s job is to make your home as appealing as possible to prospective buyers.

If you’re scratching your head about the cost, benefits, and process of home staging, fret not. I got you covered!

Understanding Home Staging Costs

Explanation of Costs Involved in Home Staging

Home staging is not a single expense but a combination of several. This typically involves an initial design consultation, furniture rental, and possible deep clean or minor renovations.

Cost of a professional home stager:

• A professional home stager’s expertise is valuable in ensuring that your home appeals to a wide variety of prospective buyers.
• These staging professionals will survey your home and create a detailed plan and action plan. They will also provide advice on design decisions.
• In Edmonton, the cost of professional staging services can range from $500 to several thousand dollars. But note that this depends on the size of the home and the extent of the staging job.

Cost of furniture rental:

• Furniture rental is another critical aspect of the staging cost. You may need to rent additional or different furniture to showcase your home effectively.
• This depends on the state of your current furniture and the home stager’s recommendations. 
• Furniture rental can vary but expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $500 per room per month.

Any additional costs:

• In some cases, you may incur additional costs. These are for storage (if you need to clear out personal items), repairs, deep cleaning, or accessories like accent pillows and artwork.
• These can add another few hundred dollars to your staging cost.

Average Cost of Home Staging in Edmonton

Given the factors mentioned above, the average cost of home staging in Edmonton ranges from $2000 to $5000 for a typical home. This amount can be significantly higher for luxury properties.

Factors affecting the cost of home staging:

• Several elements influence the cost of home staging in Edmonton. This includes the following:
  
  • Size and type of property
  • Location
  • Current condition
  • Duration of the staging

A larger property with more rooms will require more furniture rentals. It will also potentially require a more extensive staging service, increasing the cost.

Components of Home Staging

What Does Home Staging Include?

1. Consultation and home assessment:

The process typically begins with an initial consultation. This is where the professional stager will assess your home’s needs.

They will discuss your goals, your budget, and any unique features of your home that should be highlighted.

2. Cleaning and decluttering:

One of the first steps in the staging process is deep cleaning and decluttering your home.

Personal items are often removed to allow prospective buyers to envision themselves in the space.

3. Repairs and renovations:

Depending on your home’s condition, the stager may recommend minor repairs or renovations to improve the home’s appeal.

This could include repainting walls, fixing leaky faucets, or updating outdated fixtures.

4. Decoration and furniture arrangement:

The bulk of the stager’s work involves choosing and arranging furniture to maximize the appeal of each room. This may involve the rental of furniture or the use of your existing pieces.

Process of Home Staging

Staging a house to sell involves several steps.

• Firstly, the professional stager, often working with a real estate agent, will visit your home for an initial consultation.
• They will review each room and develop a detailed plan. This includes any necessary repairs, furniture arrangements, and decorative touches.
• The stager will then implement this plan, often bringing in rental furniture and decor items to complete the look.
• The home is then ready to be photographed and listed for sale.

A well-staged home can attract more potential buyers and help them envision themselves living in the space. This is crucial in competitive housing markets like Edmonton, where every advantage counts.

Types of Staging and Their Pros and Cons

Traditional Home Staging

Traditional home staging involves hiring a professional stager to furnish and decorate your home.

• Pros: Traditional staging offers potential buyers a real sense of what it’s like to live in the space. It allows for the staging of unique or unusual spaces that might be hard for buyers to imagine furnished.
• Cons: This option can be the most expensive, especially for larger homes that need a lot of furniture and decor.

Virtual Staging

Virtual staging uses digital technology to add furniture and decor to photos of your home.

• Pros: Virtual staging can be much less expensive than traditional staging. It allows potential buyers to see what rooms could look like with furniture without the cost of physically staging the home.
• Cons: While virtual staging can make a significant impact online, it can lead to disappointment when potential buyers visit the home and find it empty.

DIY Home Staging

DIY Home staging involves using your furniture and decor to stage your home, often with the advice of a real estate agent or professional stager.

• Pros: This option can be less costly than traditional or virtual staging since you’re using what you already own. It can also allow for a more personalized touch.
• Cons: Without the expertise of a professional stager, you may not maximize the home’s potential. It can also be time-consuming and stressful.

The best staging option for you will depend on your budget, the state of your home, and the local real estate market. It’s essential to weigh these pros and cons and consult with professionals before deciding which way to go.

Financial Implications of Home Staging

Does It Sell for More Money?

The simple answer is: yes. Staged homes generally do sell for more money.

Why? Staged homes typically look better in listing photos, attracting more prospective buyers for viewings.

Plus, they help potential buyers visualize living in the space, making them more likely to make a competitive offer.

In terms of return on investment, it’s estimated that for every dollar you spend on staging, you could see a return of $5 to $20 in the selling price.

That’s a substantial potential return! And in a market like Edmonton’s, it could mean the difference between a standard offer and a bidding war.

Is It Worth the Cost?

While the upfront costs of home staging might seem significant, the benefits often outweigh the expenses.

As I just discussed, staged homes tend to sell for more. But they also often sell faster. This speed can save you additional costs related to prolonged time on the market.

These include mortgage payments, utility bills, and other maintenance costs.

When you consider these factors, home staging can be worth the cost.

Current Home Staging Trends and Their Impact on Cost

Neutral Palette And Minimalist Decor

Minimalism continues to be a popular home staging trend. Using a neutral palette throughout the home can make spaces seem more extensive and inviting.

• Pros: This approach can help potential buyers envision their belongings in the space. It also often requires less investment in decor.
• Cons: Your home may require painting or other updates to fit this aesthetic, adding to your staging cost.

Virtual and Augmented Reality Tours

With technological advancements, virtual and augmented reality tours have become more common. These allow potential buyers to virtually walk through the staged home from anywhere in the world.

• Pros: These tours can broaden your pool of potential buyers, leading to a quicker sale.
• Cons: Creating these tours requires specialized technology and expertise, which can add to your staging cost.

Sustainable and Eco-friendly Staging

More buyers value environmentally friendly homes, and staging can reflect this trend.

• Pros: Sustainable staging can attract a broader range of buyers. It can potentially increase your home’s market value.
• Cons: Eco-friendly furniture and decor can sometimes be more expensive. This might increase your staging cost.

Home Office Staging

Given the increased remote work, staging a home office has become increasingly important.

• Pros: A well-staged home office can significantly enhance the appeal of your home to potential buyers who work from home.
• Cons: If your home does not currently have a space for an office, you may need to convert a bedroom or other space. Doing this can add to your staging cost.

Staying aware of current home staging trends can help you appeal to more buyers. It can also increase your home’s sale price.

It’s important to work with a professional stager who is knowledgeable about these trends and can help you cost-effectively execute them.

Finding a Good Staging Professional in Edmonton

When finding a good staging professional, doing your research is key. You’ll want to look at their past work, check out reviews, and consider their expertise in staging homes similar to yours.

A professional stager should have a solid portfolio of work to showcase their abilities. They should also have positive client reviews, indicating satisfaction with their work.

It’s also worth discussing your needs with a real estate professional who often has connections with reliable staging professionals in your area.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

While there aren’t specific regulations for home staging in Edmonton, there are general principles to remember.

For instance, it’s important to understand the contract with your home stager and what it includes and doesn’t.

When hiring a home stager, the contract should clearly state:

• The services provided
• The total cost
• The timeframe
• What happens if the home doesn’t sell as quickly as expected

It’s also a good idea to confirm that the stager has appropriate insurance to cover any potential damage that could occur during the staging process.

Happy Selling, Edmonton!

Given the strong possibility to boost your home’s appeal and its selling price, many Edmonton homeowners find the investment in home staging well worth it.

By partnering with a professional home stager, you’re entrusting your home’s presentation to someone skilled in the art of staging.

They know how to map out a strategic plan, make savvy design choices, and turn your home into a hot property in the Edmonton housing market.

As with any investment, it’s crucial to research and weigh your options carefully. But considering the impressive potential returns, perhaps it’s time for you to dive in and stage your Edmonton home for sale.

As your trusted realtor in Edmonton, I’m here to support you every step of the way. So, why not reach out and let me help you navigate the process?

If you’ve got questions, need advice, or want to learn more about Edmonton’s housing market, I’m just a phone call or a click away.

Let’s turn your home into a buyer’s dream and get that sold sign on your front lawn sooner rather than later.

Happy selling, Edmonton!

Your trusted realtor,

Amrit Hunjan