Home Staging may not be the first thought to many agents or sellers, which is unfortunate because so often it can be the best investment they make in the sale of their home. The home that I staged last Friday was one of those homes that languished on the market waiting for the 'right buyer' or the 'right price'.
Some of the details of the home were easily overlooked in MLS prior to staging. Most of the rooms looked too small for the average family as the scale was off without anything to compare it to. There were minor imperfections that nearly every home has - a small stain in the carpeting, nail pops or even a scuff mark here or there. Unfortunately with nothing else to cast your eye to, they were glaring imperfections rather than a minor defect.
Proper home staging helps control the buyer's eye to the features and benefits of the individual spaces, it minimizes any imperfections and shows how the space could be used. (note: while imperfections may be minimized they are never hidden)
Over the course of the last year, we've seen many of these homes - homes that just aren't selling - have staged with multiple offers at typically close at 98% to list price or better. Unfortunately these sellers have missed months of possible offers and have paid thousands in carrying costs that could have been avoided.
For all of the sellers that are sitting on the market wondering when/if an offer may happen. For all of the agents who have clients who are frustrated that their home hasn't sold yet.... isn't it time to try something new? Why not do what the nations top producers do... STAGE IT!
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate 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. Selling her successful home staging company in January 2012, Marro is now a full time speaker and instructor for Staging And Resign 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 843.619.1593 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
Staging makes a HUGE difference. I think buyers are finally catching on and Realtors had better be up to speed with this important tool.
Another wonderful example. I hope it reaches those who need to see it. Good work as usual Melissa
Congrats Melissa! I too am surprised when I see vacant homes sit unstaged for months. Success stories like this one will certainly impact those not utilizing staging as an effective marketing tool when selling their home.
If only they had made the decision sooner! As always, it's another great transformation, Melissa.
Congratulations. Your home staging is being featured in the group Staging Before and After Pictures.
Kathy
Nice job. Sometimes it takes many months for the cold hard reality to set in. Unfortunately, I have a seller who still hasn't figured it out and it has been almost 1 year with a GIANT pile of rotten carpet piled up beside the house. And we will not even talk about the filthy refrigerator. And no, I AM NOT CLEANING IT UP FOR THEM!
Lovely, lovely job and your photos are the 'proof'. I'm bookmarking this one!
Very well said... The majority of our staging success for Showhomes St. Petersburg are homes that have languished on the market for well over 1 year. When we are able to sell in days and weeks after staging it, most homeowners are saying " I wish I used you sooner."
Very well said... The majority of our staging success for Showhomes St. Petersburg are homes that have languished on the market for well over 1 year. When we are able to sell in days and weeks after staging it, most homeowners are saying " I wish I used you sooner."
I am in total agreement with you on staging. It hasn't caught on as well in the midwest as it has in other markets. As a relocation director I do a lot of "soft staging" in vacant inventory homes - towels and decorative arrangements in the bathrooms, placemats, napkins, coffee mugs, etc. in the kitchen. I think it does make it look a little warmer. Some homes have such unique floor plans that buyers may be left wondering "what would this room be used for?". Staging gives a clearer idea for those types of buyers. Keep the word out there. Maybe our midwest buyers and relocation companies will get it some day.
I am in total agreement with you on staging. It hasn't caught on as well in the midwest as it has in other markets. As a relocation director I do a lot of "soft staging" in vacant inventory homes - towels and decorative arrangements in the bathrooms, placemats, napkins, coffee mugs, etc. in the kitchen. I think it does make it look a little warmer. Some homes have such unique floor plans that buyers may be left wondering "what would this room be used for?". Staging gives a clearer idea for those types of buyers. Keep the word out there. Maybe our midwest buyers and relocation companies will get it some day.
You are right on Melissa. I wish buyers and realtors alike would take a look at the statistics associated with staging. We could really be moving so many more homes so much quicker!!
Well done Melissa,
As an Accredited Staging Professional it continues to be a "revelation" for our sellers who initially don't believe it's necessary to present their properties in their very best light. Time and time again we see how some well crafted staging cost thousands of dollars less than their first necessary price reduction.
Please continue to promote staging....in this market we need all the help we can get!
Connie Addison, Accredited Staging Professional, RE/MAX Sundance Realty II, Bonita Springs, FL
STAGING WORKS!!! Thank you for spreading the word! Every time I stage a property, even I am blown away by the difference... rooms look larger, more inviting; the whole house sparkles! And the offers pour in!
I find staging helps a lot. Sometimes it helps people define the home and put it in context.
Most of the homes I have all have their own furniture, and most come furniture included... owners do not want to move it out and start fresh. Staging is a tough sell in our area, unfortunately! I'm a believer! Kathy
Great before and after pictures! Really helps consumers see the difference a good stager can make.
The before and after says it all! I had a client who just WOULDN'T fork up the money to stage. Month after month - NO OFFERS. It was competatively priced. The unit had awkward angles and the same objections came up ad nauseum. The fireplace jutted out disrupting the main living area - Awkward living space made a formal eating area impossible. Almost 50 showings later with the same lack of interest for the SAME reasons - they finally staged the living area. A formal eating area was created and proper furnishings helped mitigate the fireplace objection. Contracts were out within 4 weeks....
People need to listen to their agents. Since that time the market has taken another leg down in price. This was an expensive mistake...done in the interest of trying to save money...
Those types of before and after photos are key to show sellers. It is sometimes hard for them to visualize the difference it makes and the photos tell it all and help justify the cost.
Victoria
It probably didn't help that the lights weren't turned on in the vacant photographs...
Staging, Great pictures and videos as well as good web marketing will sell a listing faster.
Don't forge the price now days.
Staging, Great pictures and videos as well as good web marketing will sell a listing faster.
Don't forge the price now days.
I am sure staging helps make a home show much better. I am just not sure it will make enough of a difference in getting it sold. We really have no way to test it unless we have 2 houses that are exactly the same and stage 1 of them and see which one sells first and at what price.
The proof is in the photos-great examples!! Empty homes are not selling!! Great work as always Melissa!
Melissa- Good "Before and Afters" and I like what you said :
"Proper home staging helps control the buyer's eye to the features and benefits of the individual spaces, it minimizes any imperfections and shows how the space could be used. (note: while imperfections may be minimized they are never hidden)"
It's not smoke and mirrors at all, just good merchandising of our product.
Melissa - great pictures and excellent message. We encounter this type of situation all the time. In the name of saving money, houses sit empty and unloved for months at a time. Sellers are forced to carry the costs of two homes. All to save money.
By comparison, investing in the necessary furnishings to at least stage the main floor and master bedroom for 1 - 2 months so that the house sells fast and for very close - if not over - the asking price simply makes sense.
We are staging a house next week which we viewed back in September and submitted a staging quote for. The house has sat on the market now for a year, the sellers have gone through two agents and only NOW are they going forward with the staging. We think they must be bazillionaires to have been able to afford all the carrying costs.
I cannot believe there are still people not convinced. You HAVE to stage. It makes no sense otherwise. You did a great job, as usual!
I still don't get why sellers don't get that carrying costs and price reductions are money out of pocket!! The initial investment to stage will almost certainly be less than either of those and in most cases it's a combined carrying cost + reductions before a sale of a home that didn't present well.
Keep preaching Melissa.
Great job.
It is true that most people can't see past the short term costs of staging to the long term opportunity cost of not staging. Just imagine what they could have been doing with their capital and their lives for 10 months.