Curious about what goes on behind the scenes of the staging process?
Today, we sat down with Celyna Peterson, the owner and operator of Set the Stage-North Central Austin, to hear her opinions, the process and valuable insights.
"I am the owner and operator for
We officially opened our doors of this franchise location in September 2024, but quietly hit the Austin market in June 2024. We've seen a noticeable increase in staging requests just since September alone. While the holiday months tend to be slower, we completed multiple home stages in November and December, since then the activity has really picked up.
Our home staging side of the business tends to follow that of real estate agents pretty closely. So, as agents get busy, so do we!"
Staying on trend with our inventory and design fundamentals is key for us.
We ensure we are regularly attending furniture and decor market events throughout the year in order to stay on top of what is trending as well as what's on the horizon for furniture and decor vendors. We have the unique opportunity to be a part of a large home furnishings wholesale network that allows us to establish great working relationships with our vendor reps. The reps we work with are fantastic about keeping us updated and informed. Additionally, I ensure to keep my training and certifications active through continuous education and mentorship opportunities. This helps me to be a true consultative partner to my clients as well as help to strengthen my team's knowledge base.
We will always conduct a thorough 1-hour consultation with each client (i.e., agent, homeowner, investor, etc.) prior to preparing a staging proposal. During that consultation, high level notes are taken and several images of the property are captured. Once all the info is gathered, we can send out a proposal within 24-48 hours of the consultation. After the proposal is accepted, the staging agreement is drawn up and can be e-signed by all parties. We can then schedule the date of the stage once the initial deposit is obtained (typically 25% of the total proposed cost). Our team then quickly gets to work curating a custom furnishings package for that particular property.
No one-size-fits-all packages here! Because we take the time to thoroughly walk through the property and capture a plethora of images, we can put together a package that truly accommodates the space and its uniqueness. The morning of the stage, our professional movers and stagers load up and head to the property. A typical stage usually takes about 2-3 hours to complete, so the client never has to wait too long to see the final product!
Staging can have a profound impact on a home's perceived market value and days on market. Staging highlights a home's best features, making it appear more appealing and move-in ready both online and in-person. This can lead to higher offers as buyers often perceive staged homes as more valuable. Professionally staged homes photograph well, attracting more potential buyers online and converting them to home showings. More showings=more engagement and competitive bidding, potentially increasing the final sale price. Don't forget that staging can also work to divert attention from minor imperfections by emphasizing a home’s strengths and potential.
With respect to DOM, staged homes typically sell faster than non-staged ones because they help buyers visualize the space as their own, reducing decision-making time. When done right, staging neutralizes personal tastes, appealing to a wider range of buyers, which can shorten the time the home spends on the market. Once buyers form an emotional attachment to a staged home, purchasing decisions accelerate.
Some stats from NAR:
According to studies by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more than non-staged homes on average.
83% of buyers' agents reported that staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as their future home.
There are some who believe home staging is not within their budget or is only for luxury homes, but this is simply not the case. We offer flexible pricing and with only 25% down to get started, there isn't a huge barrier to entry. The remainder of the balance is due at closing, so most of the time, the client is fulfilling that final payment through their title company and not their own personal bank account.
This option makes it easier for our clients to manage their budgets.
Additionally, others may think there isn't real value in staging a home, vacant or otherwise, because they believe buyers will be able to "look past" clutter or an empty space. Yet, in reality we find that most buyers struggle to visualize the potential of a home that is empty or cluttered. Staging helps them see how the space can be used and makes it easier for them to imagine themselves living there. Precious time can be wasted by trying to cut corners in these areas. What's more, we can provide assistance with decluttering, organizing or simply enhancing the space by rearranging existing furniture, adding a few decor pieces or placing only select items to complement the space. So, not every seller will need to completely empty their home in order to stage it.
Ignoring the property's curb appeal is one of the more common mistakes we've seen. By overlooking the exterior of the home, such as an unkempt lawn or peeling paint can create a poor first impression for potential buyers. Maintaining landscaping, cleaning the driveway, repainting the front door and adding welcoming touches like flowers or a new doormat can go a long way with buyers and really sets the tone for the remainder of their walk-through experience. Additionally, when sellers let their emotions drive decisions, it can lead to unrealistic expectations or resistance to constructive feedback. As such, it's important to approach the sale of their property as a business transaction and remain open to advice from professionals. Poorly executed staging or failure to declutter and depersonalize can backfire, making a home seem less appealing to potential buyers. Hiring professionals or following best practices in staging enhances rather than detracts from the property’s appeal.
For More Information about Celyna and Set The Stage, visit their website here.
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