A national home staging company is having success in today`s tough real estate
market using people as props to help stage and sell large vacant homes. The
innovative alternative to traditional staging is dramatically shortening the
time to sell and increasing the sales price.
Showhomes contracts with homeowners to place people it calls `Home Managers` in
vacant homes for sale. Home Managers help stage the home and keep it in
show-to-sell condition inside and out so it shows well and sells faster. These
human `props` add life to the home and make it far easier to sell.
In a recent case study for 2008, luxury homes in Chicago staged by Showhomes
with Home Managers sold for 93% of the original list price when using Home
Managers to stage. Comparable homes left vacant for sale sold for 75-85% of the
original list price. Homes staged with Home Managers sold in 4-5 months and
vacant homes took well over a year to sell. That`s at least a 10% higher sales
price and a sale in less than half the time of vacant homes.
Home Managers get to live in high-end luxury homes for a small fraction of what
it would normally cost to rent or buy. The huge costs savings comes with a
catch: the must have beautiful furniture, must keep the home is spotless show
condition at all times and must be ready to move on short notice when the home
sells. These human `props` make a home looked lived, warm and comfortable.
"There is good news in today`s market: mortgage rates are amazingly low and a
buyer with decent credit and a down payment can get a loan," says Thomas Scott,
Showhomes VP of Operations. "The problem is that for every qualified buyer in
today`s market there are 20-30 homes for sale. This means that for a home to
sell it needs every advantage it can get or it will most certainly languish on
the market."
"Vacant homes are cold and sterile. Buyers have a hard time remembering vacant
homes. Adding a live-in Home Manager to a home makes it warm and appealing. It
looks great. It`s perfectly clean. It smells great and there are clothes in the
closet and food in the fridge. It might be the one home that a buyer remembers
and can easily connect with and in today`s market, that`s the secret to a
successful sale," said Scott.
About Showhomes
Showhomes - known as America's largest home staging company - began its
operations in 1986 and started franchising in 1994. It currently has 46
franchises in 23 states. Showhomes has helped realtors and homeowners sell more
than 25,000 homes worth more than $8 billion across the United States by
transforming high-end vacant houses into valuable, staged homes. The Showhomes
business model is based on the fact that staged homes kept in show-to-sell
condition sell faster, and for higher prices, than vacant houses. For franchise
opportunities, please visit www.showhomes.com.
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL
Elayne, what a good idea!!!! I've heard of something similar, but it was more like babysitting seasonal property. I always wondered what it would be like to live like a nomad, going from home to home, none of which are mine. I would think it would be somewhat disconnecting, but then I grew up as a Navy Brat and that was my life for 20 years. The upside is, no responsibilities, no taxes, no insurance, no hassles. Downside is you never know when you might have to move!
Apr 04, 2009 01:46 AM
ABQ Home Staging - Albuquerque, NM
This is interesting. I have heard of something like this, but I love the idea to add to my services. Thanks for the post.
Apr 06, 2009 04:02 PM
Showhomes- St. Petersburg - Saint Petersburg, FL
Showhomes St Petersburg
The upside of living in a million dollar home for a fraction of market rent is a good trade off. When the home sells, we move you to the next Showhome in the area. Champagne taste and beer money????
Vacant homes are vulnerable to low- ball offers.
Apr 07, 2009 02:33 PM
Rainer
10,880
10,880
Elayne Wooding
Showhomes St Petersburg
Comments(3)