Staging To Rent: Furnished Units

The other day, someone asked me about Staging To Rent - staging a rental unit (house, condo, apartment, vacation rental). Is it possible? Does it help?

So, as I usually do when someone asks me a question, I hit the internet. I was not able to find any statistics to support my suspicion that Staging To Rent works. But, I did find quite a few stagers who do it. In big cities and vacation locations, I found stagers who Stage To Rent exclusively. SOMEBODY out there believes Staged Rentals move faster and at a rental price that makes staging worthwhile.

And you know, that makes sense. It makes little difference. When a property is staged to move(sell or rent), the staging is designed to accomplish the exact same goals: make the property liveable, understandable, welcoming. Ensure the property inspires the buyer/renter to mentally move in and imagine living there.

In a furnished rental, I as a stager, am going to do exactly the same things I would do if the property was for sale. The only difference, in my experience, is sometimes in a furnished rental I have to bring a little clutter in. Really, this is a funny statement but it is not a joke. By clutter I mean a few pieces of art or other decorations to fill out, enhance, and merchandise the space.

When I bring art and accessories into a house or condo I am Staging To Sell, the seller usually elects to rent them. The property owner or property management company may elect to buy. Or maybe not. From my internet searches, I see some stagers go back into a rental property each time a renter moves out. Sometimes they just reinstate the staging so the unit is ready to market again. Sometimes they upgrade/update the furnishings. That makes sense: especially if the renter was there for several years, things may have worn out or been damaged, styles/colors may have changed and bit of tuning might really help the marketing.

Fascinating.

At least, I as a stager, find the whole idea fascinating.

So, yes, absolutely, furnished rentals can be staged. From the growing popularity, I suspect many furnished rentals should be staged.

Tomorrow we have some real fun: staging vacant rentals. Things get a wee bit more complicated with this one.

In the meantime, today I am taking a loooong drive to examine a vacant, brand new house in the mountains. It should be a beautiful drive culminating in a lot of photos, a lot of notes, a lot of fun, and, hopefully, a bid that is accepted and results in a beautifully staged house.

Have a wonderful Thursday!