Lakewood Ranch real estate is in high demand as more and more people learn about the unique master-planned community. A wide variety of housing options exist in the 20 distinct neighborhoods, ranging from small condominiums to upscale gated mansions.
Over the past five years, Lakewood Ranch has experienced exponential growth. The current median value of a single-family home in Manatee County is $530,000, and the award-winning master-planned community is among the top-selling and fastest-growing neighborhoods in the United States.
Despite the incredible demand for Lakewood Ranch houses for sale, there is still stiff competition to secure a contract amid rising interest rates and a growing inventory of available homes. Professional staging provides many benefits and can help your property stand out, making it faster and easier to sell your home.
What is professional staging?
Staging is a marketing strategy often recommended by real estate agents to redefine a home before listing it for sale. Removing personal belongings, rearranging furniture, and temporarily adding furnishings can provide a more visually appealing space to attract prospective buyers. When hiring a professional staging company, you can expect them to accentuate the property's strengths to create an attractive, believable space for buyers to envision living in. Staging is not meant to deceive buyers or hide flaws but to accentuate the home's main features and selling points.
Most professional stagers have an arsenal of furniture, art, and luxury decor they can pull from to demonstrate how a room can be laid out to offer the finest look and feel. Presenting a home in this light can help prospective buyers imagine how they would use the livable space.
The benefits of professional staging
Staging is not about moving things around in a room but about developing a deliberate marketing strategy that can demand a higher purchase price. Hiring a professional staging company can offer the following benefits when attempting to sell your Lakewood Ranch home:
- Provide an updated, modern look with universal appeal.
- Present a clean and organized appearance.
- Make living areas appear larger and more welcoming.
- Help buyers envision how they can use the space.
Prospective buyers are typically more comfortable and at ease when looking at staged properties rather than empty rooms with no furnishings or, worse yet, jam-packed with clutter and personal belongings.
A huge benefit of hiring a professional staging company, as opposed to trying to do it on your own, is their ability to access a wide variety of furnishings that can create a clean, welcoming environment. Staging also helps prospective buyers see that a property is in move-in-ready condition compared to other homes they look at that may need maintenance or repairs before taking ownership.
The current market trend for Lakewood Ranch houses for sale
Last month (July 2023), the median sale price of a Lakewood Ranch house for sale was $559,000, a decrease of 15.3% compared to the previous year. The median sale price per square foot is currently $293 in Lakewood Ranch, down 9.85% compared to 2022.
How professional staging can affect the purchase price of Lakewood Ranch houses for sale
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, home staging can increase the dollar value of a home by 1% to 5% compared to similar homes for sale that do not take advantage of professional staging services.
Four out of five (81%) buyers' agents said viewing a staged home made it easier for buyers to "visualize the property as a future home." The rooms that benefited the most from staging included the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen.
How professional staging can affect the time your Lakewood Ranch house stays on the market
The Lakewood Ranch housing market is somewhat competitive right now, with homeowners receiving approximately two offers and securing a purchase contract in an average of 34 days. The National Association of REALTORS® reported 48% of sellers' agents experienced a decrease in the amount of time a property spent on the market when the home received professional staging services before being listed.
Why hiring a professional staging company is a good idea
Hiring a professional staging company is a good investment and saves you the time and frustration of doing it yourself. While you have a personal connection to your home and its belongings, it is much easier for an expert to come in and objectively address areas of concern without bias.
A professional staging company has the expertise to present your home in the best possible light and should understand what buyers are looking for in your area.
How much does a professional staging company cost?
The cost varies depending on the location, the services provided, and the time needed to complete the task. Prices can also fluctuate throughout the year, typically costing more during peak selling seasons.
According to HomeAdvisor, the current national average for home staging is approximately $1,774, with a broad range between $783 and $2,814, costing upwards of $6,000 if furniture rental is necessary.
Professional staging services also vary based on whether you are still living in the property or the home is vacant. For example:
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Lived-in homes may require decluttering, the storage of personal belongings, furniture rearrangement, deep cleaning, and the addition of furnishings and other elements to make the property visually appealing to prospective buyers.
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Vacant homes require furniture, artwork, and other accessories that a professional staging company provides to give the appearance of a lived-in home.
Professional staging can help sell your Lakewood Ranch home
While it may seem easier to do it yourself, a professional staging company has the necessary skills to get the job done quickly and efficiently and help you get the best offer for your Lakewood Ranch home.
When you are ready to list your home for sale, The Dinan Group has the experience to help you navigate the entire home-selling process. We have extensive knowledge of the area and know what buyers want in a Lakewood Ranch property. We can offer valuable advice and suggest strategic changes to your home's listing to boost initial offers, resulting in a more profitable sale.
Contact us today to learn more about Lakewood Ranch houses for sale and see how we can help make your property stand out from other homes in the area.
