Your Luxury Listing Deserves Luxury Staging

By Lorelie Brown, M.A., CPRES, CID

      In this real estate market, homes of every price point have risen, and sellers have every reason to believe that now is a good time to put their homes on the market. Buyers are lined up for the next available homes in the MLS, with offers ready often
above list price, many with no contingencies, no inspections, and even cash offers with no appraisals. It’s no wonder this unusual real estate environment has sellers and buyers thinking differently than they might at any other time.
There is some caution to be considered by sellers, however, in losing perspective upon the value of a home being dressed for the part in this rather unusual and dynamic real estate market. This is especially true of luxury listings, where buyers’ expectations are often incredibly high and your luxury listings deserve luxury staging.

       Regardless of the real estate market’s pulse, home purchases are executed upon the financial resources and the emotional satisfaction of the buyer.  People cannot buy homes they cannot afford, and most people do not buy a home they do not like. This is true for homes at any price point. A home must generally have the capacity to satisfy a buyer’s needs and wants, in terms of space, features, floor plan, neighborhood, and price point. It is incumbent upon the seller and the real estate professional to maximize the best attributes of their property so that buyers may understand if that home is a good fit for their needs and wants.

       By nature, luxury listings take a little longer to sell. There are fewer buyers at the luxury price point, so it stands to reason that these homes may not sell as quickly. Buyers of luxury homes have certain visual expectations; it is important that every
luxury home exceed those expectations to capture and compel a buyer’s emotional consideration. When a luxury listing does not play its part or is dressed toward a lower price point, a luxury buyer may be disappointed and unimpressed. Both sellers and agents of luxury listings should recognize the importance of providing the right visual aesthetic to attract the right buyer.

      For an owner-occupied home, a home ReStyle by a Luxury Staging Specialist may be in order. With staging skills and expertise, a home can be appropriately prepped to appeal to the luxury buyer by rearranging, editing, and even providing
additional furnishings, if needed.  With vacant properties, luxury staging with design-specified furniture and accessories can make all the difference. Most assuredly, non-luxury staging in luxury homes can spell disaster: longer days on market and a waste of resources. Therefore, consider carefully when selecting a staging professional to represent a luxury property on the market. Maximize potential in this unique market with the appropriate look, smartly staged to impact and strategically appeal to the right buyers, ready to make offers.

Lorelie Brown, M.A., CPRES, CID is the Owner of Showhomes Charleston in Charleston, SC.  RESA-PRO member, an HSRA-Elite Member, and part of HSRA Elite Leadership. She is passionate about the power of home staging and has staged over $300 million in real estate.