We staged a stunning home by national award winning builder, Simonini Homes, mid May 2008. This neighborhood was a great vision with phenomenal builders, but has been hurt dramatically by the slower market. Of the 16 homes built (or currently building) only five have sold. Another one is pending and has been since February 5th. Currently there are thirteen properties on the market (including the pending property & one resale unit of the original five sold). Today, officially per MLS, the property we staged in May is under contract.
This particular home had been on the market since 2/20/2007. After 14 months on the market without staging - nothing. Staged it went under contract in just over 90 days!
Continually we try to get agents to understand the significance that staging provides. When we can provide example after example, what will it take for more of them to 'get 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. She now operates as the CEO of First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign as well as an instructor for Staging And Resign 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.
Congrats!!!
I staged many homes in the past my self.. Bringing couches, pictures, etc... I would love to get owners to stage homes, but a lot of people dont get it...
Fabulous! Deservedly Sold!!! Graveyard notwithstanding... and I'm sure upcoming Halloween had nothing to do with that!! Please pack all furniture into a POD and send North!
Well done, Miss! Great job. Jj
Laura - its funny but it seems easier to get the owners to get it than the agents some of the time. We've noticed that while we still get lots of referrals to other agents from our current ones, many of our leads are now builders and investors that are being referred to us by other builders and investors.
Juliet - sure! Would you like to pay by check or credit card? We've been selling so many the warehouse is still a bit full and we are working non-stop to keep up .... they are empyting as fast as we can fill them!
Melissa,
The house looks amazing! I especially like the 'spa' basket in the bath. Did you stage that little area in the backyard as well?
Congratulations on your success! I share your frustration about potential clients just not 'getting it' but instead looking at what it will cost to stage. In the past I have given some builders estimates for staging and not gotten the jobs because they felt that it was too expensive....and guess what? most of those houses are STILL on the market - some more than a year later! So what do you think THAT is costing them?
Val
Congrats! You did a wonderful job.Love the real estate show.I always want the houses I see in the RE shows! Great job!
Yahoo!! The staging is beautiful!! Great work and great job!!
Melissa: You did a wonderful job and it is easy to see why the house sold. I haven't seen the others, but I can imagine your beautiful staging made this one stand out. Congratulations.
Beautiful home! I love the paint colors, there is a great flow to the house. Congrats on the statistics...more evidence for our business. Keep those success stories coming.
It's great being able to put another feather in your "sold" cap.
Pretty soon you will be able to take wing and fly :-) Keep up the good work
Congrats! The house, and the staging, is exceptional. You made a good house great--warm, inviting, functional. And yes, I share your frustration--when will the agents get it???
Stunning work! Loved your dining room and breakfast room furniture. Just lovely! Another great example of how good staging sells!
Val - I have a couple of bids out to similar situations. We just created a flyer yesterday (posted it here last night) and are following up with them, plus giving out a few additional bids. One of them we bid on in April. Since then 4 - million dollar and million dollar plus homes have gone under contract. It could have been theirs....
Wendy - I know, right! They are beautiful construction, views, etc.
Cathy Lee - Yahoo was my reaction also!
Michelle - You know the drill. Beautiful homes, sitting empty don't create a connection with buyers. It is what we do that helps make the house a home and make it feel memorable to the buyers...
Sharon - it really is a great family or entertaining home. The floors are stunning as are many of the features....
Virginia - that could be a problem since I'm afriad of heights... I think I'll just use my feathers for a down comforter.... lol!
Kathi - Thank you for the compliments. I keep hoping that this information will begin to filter into their brains!
Connie - These rooms are some of my favorite as well & would transition really easily into my home... lol....
Congrats, Melissa! Looks great that why it sold! I love to see your work.