This has happened on more than one occassion lately - particularly with vacant homes. Agents should be paying attention. In our local market (Charleston) homes are sitting a bit longer than they used to. Vacant homes, which rarely show as nicely as owner occupied homes are taking a beating. I see so many of them on MLS it makes my head spin. What I'm finding interesting, however is that I've been getting quite a few jobs lately where the homeowner is changing agents (after the house has been sitting for months without selling) to agents that offer staging services.
Cable TV shows are promoting staging nearly daily and homeowners are getting it. The recent presence of staged properties are also getting attention. I regularly hear now that agents have seen (or sold) one of our staged properties and what a difference it made when their clients viewed it. They immediately contact their sellers with vacant properties and the trend grows.
Which of these photos would your buyer clients be more interested in viewing in person? Which would they more likely make an offer on? Would they make the same offer for each?
When representing the seller, think about the fact that offers are typically higher for staged homes. When representing the buyer, think you will spend less time driving your clients around when they view homes that show better!
Don't be one of the agents left behind..... isn't it time to embrace staging? It really does work!
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocet and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. She now operates as the CEO of First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign as well as the Executive Director of Certified Staging Professionals International Training Academy (CSPI) - the world's largest Staging Training Organization, and regularly speaks at the StagerList Expos and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.822.2622 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
If you would like Marro's team to provide information on staging a property in the state of South Carolina, or the Greater Charleston Area, please visit www.WeStageSC.com, email marro.melissa@gmail.com or call 843.822.2622.
For more information on Marro's CSP Staging Training, please visit www.StagingAndRedesign.com, visit the CSP Calendar for dates or email marro.melissa@gmail.com. Below is a list of Marro's current CSP Certification class dates:
February 6-8 Charleston, SC
February 16-18 Austin, TX
March 6-8 Atlanta, GA
March 13-15 Raleigh, NC
March 20-22 St. Petersburg, FL
April 10-12 Knoxville, TN
May 4-6 Covington, KY
May 18-20 Charlotte, NC
July 5-7 Memphis, TN
July 10-12 Charleston, SC
I agree 100% and that's why I've been offering staging services as part of my listing presentation. Pictures say more than a thousand words in real estate and with the increasing use of the internet, it's imperative that not only quality photos are used but that the home is staged in a way that will accentuate its positive attributes and diminish its flaws. Excellent post!
good post
and sometimes it is just little things you can do. a rug, some flowers, a chair and it makes all the difference
Good post Melissa. I had heard about home staging for some time and it intrigued me. When I joined AR on February 12th of this year I was quickly educated as to the value of home staging. Along come Maria Lechner in our area (which I have recruited to AR) and she has been awesome. We have developed a great relationship and she is now working with many of my homeowners including a builder I work with which really respects Maria. Keep up the great work and have a wonderful weekend.
Melissa - There is a new show on HGTV, I forgot the name, it features a home stager who helps people get the homes ready. It is not that show Designed to Sell it is something else. I love it because the host keeps using the term Home Staging. I think it is a big help.
BTW - Beautiful job with this home!
Hi Melissa,
Great post, so true! Your pictures look fabulous, you make the choice easy!
Maureen- I saw that show Friday night, I'd never seen it before it was really cool!
really love the first after photo! if you don't mind me asking... where did you get your couch & chairs?
cheers,
cindy
Melissa,
Thanks for the post. I am a believer, since being introduced to the concept here in the Rain!
Thanks everyone for the positive comments! I keep hoping agents will 'get it' and understand the importance of staging to help their buyers sell in this tougher market.
Cindy - The couch is from Havertys (it is actually a loveseat) and the chairs are from Pier 1 (I think they are discontinued now & you can find them in Big Lots if they haven't sold out).