In our Market , nearly 80% of agents are quoting their Brokerage Fee as a combo of _______ % of the Sale Price AND $ __________  up front . The costs you are talking about are added to the $ _______ portion and therefore NOT refundable ! That's called running it like a business Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor  !  

It depends.  We have spent up to $8,000 out of pocket for staging on a 6% commission.  The motivation to sell was the highest probability which helped make that decision.  

Yes, staging is part of my services.  I advise clients on what to do in their home (occupied or vacant).  I do not provide materials and the cost is theirs alone (afterall, they WANT to sell THEIR house).

Thomas,

Our clients pay to the stager in most instances.  And most luxury homes unless unfurnished need very little staging.  A

I haven't staged a listing and don't think it is worth the investment.  I could be wrong on this one though.

My listing agent stages just about every home.

I would think the seller should pay, however it's easy to manipulate the figures around to where the seller thinks you're giving them a discount on services that you would normally provide.

Depends. Usually staging service is very expensive in my area, and Sellers are expected to cover the cost. 

It is hard to swallow over a thousand dollars for staging Thomas so I make it an option.

I highly recommend staging for most of my listings ... and no, I do not pay for it. 

I do not stage the properties I represent.  If I were to stage them, I would pay for it like I pay for the professional photographs, marketing, and other services as their listing agent.

Thomas,
We include it as a apart of our commission so we don’t have to negotiate with a “cheap” seller what will or won’t be done.

No. I have never offered staging services. 

Staging is not popular in my area.  Some agents offer suggestions to assist sellers in preparing home for sale.

It totally is negotiable in my Carmel-by-the-Sea listings. Typically, it would be partial staging if it is paid for by my company. But I pay for consultation between a home decor professional and the seller.

No. I never stage vacant listings, and on occupied listing, existing furniture is used or removed. Only had one seller hire a stager and they paid for it. Good thin, because it looked awful.

I pay for the consultation.  It's up to the seller to do the next steps.

we make recommendations...the cost belongs to the homeowner with us....

I may suggest it from time to time.

It is not part of our service. I'm not sure how we would handle the cost. It would probably depend on the situation.

Thomas - Most of the time, I would say that staging is a service that I could provide, but the cost would be to the seller. However, in some cases, things could be negotiated.

Think it is a seller's cost! Never pay for it!

I pay for a staging consulation. If sellers want to move out and have the stager completely stage the house..the cost is on them!

I recommend staging when necessary.  The client makes the decision and pays.

We have not staged in our price point

i require all my listings that are going to open market to be staged (unless they don't need it, which is rare) and professionally photographed. i pay for photos, seller pays for staging, including consultation.

It is part of the negoitation.