Most realtors agree that it can be extremely beneficial to stage a home when selling. Staging an Otsego home is valuable because it allows buyers to envision the house as their own. Using staging techniques, you can present your home in a neutral way without needing to complete any major renovations. When competing against other homes for sale in a similar price range, taking the time to stage can put your home ahead of the competition. When potential buyers are searching for Otsego homes for sale online, seeing pictures of a beautifully staged home will make it that much more enticing to view the property in person.

How Much Does Home Staging Cost in Otsego MN?

The cost for home staging in Otsego can vary widely. You can stage your home yourself by using your own pieces, renting furniture and accessories, or borrowing from friends. There are also different levels of staging. You can choose to take on the whole house, focus on the main features, or try soft staging with only a few decor pieces. It will definitely cost more to use a professional home stager. However, their expertise and access to quality furniture as well as accessory pieces can more than pay for themselves with a higher home sale. 

Home Staging Professional Cost

According to the Appraisal Institute, staged homes sell for 6% more and faster than non-staged homes. This can be huge. Yet, professional staging services are not cheap. Most stagers will charge $300 to $600 for an initial consultation and then $500 to $600 per month for each staged room. That may sound like a lot of money, but not when you consider the potential benefits of selling your Otsego home for 6% more. 

If this cost is absolutely out of your price range, you can always try to do your best with family and friends. Ask your realtor for tips and try to think about the viewpoint of a potential buyer. Decrease clutter, repaint rooms in neutral colors, and remove any personal items such as family photos or monogrammed towels. Renting furniture yourself, borrowing it, or using your own can significantly decrease the price tag, but you do miss out on the expertise of the professional stager. 

Professional Photographer Cost

Real estate photography is a highly skilled trade. It takes a lot of work to create the best lighting and know the best angle to shoot rooms. Plus, the post-processing and editing phase takes great expertise. With so many people searching for homes online, great photos are a must. The price to hire a professional photographer will vary widely depending on the size of the property and how challenging it is to shoot. Many photographers will start with a base rate of around $300 that will increase for particularly large or difficult properties. Some photographers may also offer add-ons such as aerial drone photos or a 3D virtual walk-through. 

Here are a few local real estate photographers to consider.

123 Media Solutions
11040 183rd Circle NW Suite C
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 316-0280

J Cook Photography
2020 Spruce Ct.
Rockford, MN 55373
(320) 535-0660

Photography vs. Virtual Staging

Photography comes with a price tag that reflects more than just the photographs themselves. The home needs to be staged before the pictures can even be taken, which adds to the overall cost. With virtual staging, a computer graphics specialist adds all of the furniture and decor to the home. This option is much cheaper and can produce high quality photos for potential buyers to peruse online. The photos can also be easily adjusted and a 3D tour or 3D plan of the property can also be easily made. The downside is that when the buyers come to see the home, it doesn’t reflect the images they saw online. This could be disappointing and turn some buyers away, while others may not see a problem.

Tips to Help You Sell

If you are a go-getter and you would like to tackle both home staging and photography yourself, here are a few tips. Come up with a vision for each room to make it shine. Make sure that the spaces look neutral, are free of clutter, and do not contain personal items. Consider upgrading a few pieces in your home. Ask friends and family members to borrow furniture or accent pieces, consider renting them, or purchase some new items.

Here are a few local business to shop for supplies, flooring, furniture, and home décor items:

Home Depot
18011 Zane St. NW
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 274-0543

Focalpoint Flooring Cabinet & Design
5600 Queens Ave. NE
Ostego, MN 55330
(763) 273-8660

Woodtown Furniture
13591 Riverview Dr. NW
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 633-0755

Ashley Home Store
19146 Freeport St. NW
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 441-7008

When it is time to take photographs, make sure the lighting looks great and take the time to present each room at its best. Set the table in the dining room for a dinner party, make sure each room is meticulously clean, create a spa like experience in the bathrooms, and make the bed perfectly in the bedrooms. Also present the home’s exterior at it’s finest. Plant flowers, touch up paint, trim the bushes, and cut the grass.  

Furniture Rentals Cost

Renting furniture and staging the home yourself can drastically cut costs. Working with a professional stager can cost $500 to $600 per room per month, whereas renting furniture will usually cost between $100 and $300 per room per month. When shopping around for furniture and rental companies, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Choose a company that is reliable and offers fast and safe delivery.
• Prompt pick-up of furniture after the sale is completed is also important.
• Choose furniture and accessories that are neutral.
• If you can’t afford furniture and accessories for the entire house, choose a few rooms to focus on.
• Make rooms look warm and inviting, but allow prospective buyers the chance to imagine themselves living in the room.
• Don’t forget about patio furniture. Make outdoor spaces look fun and ready for entertaining. 

On a Budget? Try Soft Home Staging

Soft staging is a budget friendly version of home staging. No furniture is used, only artwork and accent pieces to make the home feel warmer and more inviting. This only works in empty homes and still offers many benefits, despite the small price tag. With soft staging, it’s all in the details. Even though there is no furniture in the home, small details can still help someone feel like they live there. An open cookbook on the kitchen counter, a plant, nice towels hanging in the bathroom, and colorful artwork can all help someone visualize what the home could be for them. Here are a few other benefits:

• Accessories can help to define spaces and allow for potential buyers to imagine how to use each room.
• Warm decor makes a home feel more natural and approachable.
• The staging process is much simpler and inexpensive. 

Staged vs. Unstaged Homes

Staged and unstaged homes sell every day. There are pros and cons to each option and what may work for one home seller, may not be best for another. The disadvantages of home staging are that it is time-consuming, stressful, and expensive. Plus, some buyers may actually prefer to see an empty house so that they have no problem visualizing themselves in the home. If you are selling a home in a hot market, it may not be worth the headache when the home is sure to sell anyway. If it’s a buyer’s market, staging the home may put your property ahead of the competition and complete the sale. The question is, will it be worth it to spend thousands of dollars a month to have your home staged? Is it necessary or will an empty house sell just fine? This is a conversation to have with your realtor. Together, you can come up with the best strategy. 

About TheMLSonline in Minnesota

Our team at TheMLSonline in Minnesota would be happy to help you come up with a strategy for selling your home quickly. We can offer advice about staging and even have a list of trusted professionals that we can recommend. We are the best in buying and selling properties in Otsego and all over Minnesota. Check out our top MLS listing search with properties throughout the state. 

FAQ’s

Who pays for staging a home?

Typically, the homeowner pays for staging services. In some instances the real estate agent and homeowner may come to an agreement to share the cost. Real estate agents can also choose to pay for staging services as a service to their clients. 

Does a house sell better empty or staged?

According to the Appraisal Institute, staged homes sold for 6% more than vacant homes. Staged homes also tend to spend less time on the market. 

What should you not do when staging a house?

Here are a few common mistakes often made when staging a home.

• Cutting corners and staging too fast.
• Over personalizing home decor.
• Not consulting with a professional.