You've heard me before on this but I will say it again - Stagers should have a real estate license. I'm not saying that we should be selling real estate. That's an entirely different discussion. You should on the other hand actually have a license! Why? They are fabulous marketing tools. Let me give you my latest example of how having a license has improved my business.....
In order to hold an open house for a home that is actually listed with an agency, you must have a real estate license. In our case, four of our team members have licenses and each of us will be holding one of our staged properties open (with permission from the actual listing agents). We will be referring any leads back to the listing agents - but the open house itself is an AGENT open house.
The news blast went out this morning to all of MLS and today I actually got two calls from agents who already had my info and this was the tipping point of them calling for us to do a walkthrough. Both of them were confident that staging will make the difference in selling these homes. One said she wants it done by next Wednesday for their office caravan (agent tour).
I know that there is always an objection about the cost of maintaing the license. My question is, how much do you spend on other marketing tools? This is the one that will make you the most money. The $800/yr investment will pay for itself time and time again & you won't believe the impact it will make on your business.
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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
Melissa: I am always so impressed with your business acumen. This is a great idea!
Michelle - Thank you for you kind words. I just call 'em as I see 'em.
Melissa, this post is just another example of your brilliant business practices! Thanks for the insight, I have been toying with the idea for some time now.
;-) Wink, wink -- right there with you, as you know!~great advice
Karen
Melissa, Looks great. This is great info to know. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Melissa, I would consider it for myself but here in Ontario it costs approximately $4,000 to get a license and work in an office plus renewing each year approximately $1,000 plus you have to take 3 courses every year approximately $400-600 each.
As you can see it is a big investment if you are not actually selling Real Estate and probably wouldn't work out too well here which is unfortunate as I believe it would give you credibility with the Realtors.
Great way to use a license MM! Thanks!! Regards-Kathleen G
HI Melissa, I am sure that your Open Houses are going well today.. I know that we talked briefly about this.. I do have a NC Real Estate license, I just need to activate it.. I THINK that I might have to hang it in a RE officem do you? Now, I think that you do pay for your MLS fees also, don't you?? Thanks and God bless,
Hi Melissa- This is a great idea,I am glad I have my RE license! I want to be like you someday :)
Mmmm, MM :-) This is good food for thought. I am going to think about this. Thanks for sharing. Really, I need to spend a whole day just reading your blogs. :-)