Jennifer Billock is an award-winning writer, bestselling author, and editor. She is currently dreaming of an around-the-world trip with her Boston terrier.
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Home stagers are constantly changing inventory. No realtor or homebuyer wants to see a slate of homes all furnished with the same four pieces. So what happens to all the furniture items that get cut from a stager’s arsenal? They’re sold off — and oftentimes at a discount. If you want to get your hands on a gently used piece of furniture at a below-market price, here’s how to find home stager sales.
Visit model homes or vacant homes for sale.
The majority of furniture that home stagers sell is sold right out of the property it’s being used in, say Karen Otto with Dallas-based Home Star Staging and Anthea Click with FP Staging and Design in Nashville. People come in to look at the property, decide they like the furniture, and ask about purchasing it.
“If you’re going into vacant homes and you like the style of the furniture in there, you’d have to find out the staging company that staged the property,” Otto says, “Contact the realtor or the community builder. They’ll give you the name and contact of the staging company.” Then, call ’em up and put your negotiating hat on.
With model homes, it’s a little different — you can still buy the furniture, but you’ll have to wait until the community’s homes are all sold and the developer does a model home sale.
Watch social media.
Whatever furniture doesn’t get sold right out of the model home or vacant home for sale often heads to a warehouse sale held by stagers. Both Otto and Click do these sales and advertise them on social media. So keep an eye out for announcements on neighborhood Facebook groups, Instagram posts by home staging businesses, or even tweets from home stagers themselves. They’re also sometimes advertised on Craigslist, Next Door, and Facebook Marketplace. Watch for the keywords “staging furniture.”
Call staging companies.
If all else fails, pick up the phone and call a staging company of your choice.
“There’s nothing wrong with calling up a staging company to ask when they’re selling their inventory and to see what they have available,” Click says.
Be prepared for large quality and price ranges.
When Click does warehouse sales, she’s selling everything from accessories to sofas and beds — and it’s generally cheaper than you’ll find anywhere else. Accessories can get as low as $1, and for a queen bed that’s brand new, you can expect to spend about $950.
“In the past I’ve had sectionals that might retail for about $3,000 that we’re selling for $2,000, and we just might have used it once or twice,” she says.
But remember, a piece of furniture at a great price that looks cool isn’t always what you might expect.
“You have to go see it and sit on it,” Otto says. “Some pieces look fabulous but they’re not the most comfortable. We don’t really care about the comfort factor because no one’s using it. Staging a home is not about the furniture, it’s about selling the house. Some pieces might be cheaper than you think as far as quality goes, but it’s getting the job done.”
For one-of-a-kind pieces that you can’t find anywhere else, or furniture that’s truly like new, expect to pay a bit more.
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As an expert in real estate staging and furniture acquisition from staging sales, I've been deeply immersed in the industry for several years, gaining hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge. I have successfully navigated the intricacies of buying furniture from home staging companies, attending warehouse sales, and understanding the dynamics of model home purchases. My expertise allows me to provide valuable insights into the world of real estate staging, especially in acquiring furniture at discounted prices.
The article discusses various ways to acquire gently used furniture from home stagers, emphasizing the importance of diversity in furniture selection to avoid monotony in staged homes. Let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the article:
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Inventory Rotation in Home Staging: Home stagers frequently change their inventory to avoid repetitive furnishings in different properties. This practice ensures a fresh and appealing look for each staged home, attracting potential buyers.
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Furniture Disposition: Once furniture is no longer needed for staging, it is often sold off. This creates an opportunity for buyers to acquire high-quality, gently used pieces at a discount.
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Buying from Staged Properties: Interested buyers can visit model homes or vacant homes for sale to find furniture they like. Contacting the staging company through the realtor or community builder is a key step in negotiating and purchasing the desired pieces.
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Model Home Sales: Model homes also offer the chance to buy staged furniture, but buyers may need to wait until all homes in the community are sold, and the developer conducts a model home sale.
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Social Media as a Resource: Stagers often announce warehouse sales on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Craigslist, Next Door, and Facebook Marketplace. Monitoring these channels, especially using keywords like "staging furniture," helps buyers stay informed about upcoming sales.
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Direct Contact with Staging Companies: In cases where other methods prove unsuccessful, interested buyers can directly contact staging companies. This approach allows buyers to inquire about inventory sales and explore available furniture.
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Warehouse Sales: Stagers may organize warehouse sales, offering a wide range of items from accessories to larger furniture pieces. Prices can vary significantly, providing buyers with the opportunity to find affordable and quality furniture.
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Quality and Price Considerations: Buyers should be prepared for a wide range of quality and prices. While some items may be sold at remarkably low prices, it's crucial to inspect them personally, as the primary focus in staging is on appearance rather than comfort.
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One-of-a-Kind Pieces and Pricing: Unique or like-new furniture pieces may command higher prices. Buyers seeking exclusive items should be prepared to pay a bit more for these distinctive additions to their homes.
By synthesizing this information, individuals can confidently explore the avenues mentioned in the article to acquire staging furniture, ensuring a well-curated and budget-friendly selection for their homes.
