Home staging, real estate merchandising, property styling— no matter what you call it, decorating a home to sell fast for top dollar works. A staged property that went on the market for $333,000 sold within 24 hours for $355,000, or 6.6% over the asking price.

But was it the careful real estate merchandising by Staging Diva Graduate Hayley Harris of Essential Key Home Staging & Property Styling that made the difference?

Consider this: A townhouse two doors away with the same size and layout has been sitting on the market for some time. Originally listed at $335,000 it has been reduced to $300,000 and still hasn’t sold!

A cluttered playroom where the dining room is supposed to be, does nothing to attract buyers. Home stager Hayley Harris transformed it into an inviting space. Home buyers don’t want to use their imagination to see if a home will work for them. And many can’t do it even if they try. Real estate stagers pave the way for buyers to fall in love with a home and imagine themselves living there.

Why would a prospective buyer pay $355,000 when a virtually identical home is available two doors away for only $300,000?

Because people shop with logic and buy on emotion.

If a property is well presented it will attract more interest than one that isn’t. Sadly this fact is lost on many home sellers who keep dropping their asking price without paying proper attention to the perceived value and appeal of their home.

The real estate agent might recommend a price cut because it doesn’t cost them that much in lost commissions and they make nothing hanging on to stale listings. But to the homeowner, that’s money right out of their pocket. Far better to invest a modest amount (which could range from $250 to a few thousand depending on what’s needed) to ensure the home attracts the highest number of potential buyers.