Home staging is a strategic marketing tool used to put a home that is up for sale in a positive light. While this process is optional for those selling property in Illinois, many who are in the middle of selling their home often wonder if staging their house is worth it and if it will ultimately improve their home’s chances of selling.

What home stagers do

When those working with a Highland Park real estate lawyer and a real estate agent to sell their home decide to stage their house, the home stager they bring in will usually do several things to get the house ready for a sale. First, the stager will examine the property from top to bottom and explain, usually in a written report, what needs to be done to get the home ready, what it will cost to accomplish this and how it will be done.

Then, the stager will identify ways to highlight the home’s best features and compensate for any shortcomings that may be present. For example, the stager may replace a double bed with a crib in a smaller room to make the space appear larger, or may remove curtains from a window that has a beautiful view. Finally, the stager will help the seller determine which furniture and possessions should be moved or rearranged and bring in curtains, pillows, carpets and other decorative items to create a house that property buyers can picture themselves living in.

The benefits of home staging

There are many benefits associated with home staging that sellers who have partnered with a Highland Park real estate lawyer should be aware of. According to the Real Estate Staging Association, staging a house can:

• Make a home spend 73 percent less time on the market in comparison with similar properties that have not been staged
• Help a home sell for more money
• Make it less likely that the buyer will request concessions of the seller during the negotiation process
•  Help a property become more popular in its local real estate market and make buyers more likely to take a look at it
• Make buyers more likely to think that a house is well-maintained and in good overall condition

However, the need for home staging is often dependent on the state of the real estate market and whether there are a large number of homes up for sale in a certain area that sellers have to compete with. Those trying to sell their home should consider consulting with a Highland Park real estate lawyer who can help them understand what the current real estate market is like and whether home staging is a beneficial option.