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Finally--An Enlightened Bank in Michigan Uses Staging with its REO Properties in Howell and Fenton!

By
Home Stager with RE:STYLE LLC

Vacant Properties Don't Sell Nearly As Well As Those That Are Staged--Even Ones That Are Bank-Owned!

I received a call from a local Realtor who is familiar with RE:STYLE's staging. She had taken the unprecedented step to propose that her asset manager consider staging at least one of her condo listings. She also let me know about more condos in another area, and so I crafted an email designed to sell my staging services to both potential properties. Keeping in mind the amazingly low asking price, I trimmed my own bid, and got the job to stage 2 condos!

Here are some before and after photos of the condo I completed on Wednesday. My proposal was for "soft staging" using accessories only. But I went the extra mile and threw in some smaller pieces of furniture to create an even better first impression.

BEFORE: Bland and Boring!

Kitchen Dining Room and Living Room

Family room  Bath

Hall bath   Powder Room

AFTER: Much more inviting, and now it's actually worth it to post inside photos, which are so important to buyers!

This bank actually had these condos completed, so they are in brand new condition. Talk about savvy individuals!

Kitchen   KitchenLiving Room   Family Room

This is a bathroom you'll remember!   Hall Bath

Powder Room  Powder Room

And then, just to add some more appeal, here are some "environmental" photos that will make the MLS listing memorable and desirable:

Swan song  Swans

Swans

If you have a bank-owned property, or any listing, and you'd like it to sell more quickly, give us a call at 810-333-5240!

RE:STYLE LLC

Our work is designed to sell!

 

Monika Depalo
GAFF'S REFERRAL'S INC. - Port Orange, FL
REAL ESTATE Agent/Stager

You did a wonderful job-did it sell yet?  Do you charge by the hour or by the job?

 

 

Jul 10, 2009 11:13 AM
Bill Ladewig
LoanOfficerSchool.com - Escondido, CA
Experience Is Your Advantage

Nice job but, are the birds included?

Jul 10, 2009 11:22 AM
Kathi Presutti
RE:STYLE LLC - Brighton, MI
Re:Style, LLC

Hi Monika!

I just staged it 2 days ago, so it's a bit premature, even for such a stellar staging job :)

I charge by the job for vacant stagings. Believe me, they got a lot of value for the price!

 

Hi Bill!

They are!!! I caught that view off the balcony. My husband said that the swans alone would sell him on this property!

Jul 10, 2009 11:32 AM
Janelle Fisher, Instinctive Staging & Design, Seattle Wa.
Instinctive Staging & Design, LLC - Seattle, WA

Kathi,  Beautiful job staging.  I like the ideal of adding the pictures of the Swans, who wouldnt want to live next to them. :-)

Jul 10, 2009 01:31 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

great job! It's wonderful what a little staging can do to transform a property.  Maybe, more banks will begin to understand that a little bit of staging can bring a higher, quicker sale.

Jul 11, 2009 01:14 PM
Kathi Presutti
RE:STYLE LLC - Brighton, MI
Re:Style, LLC

Thanks Janelle!

I was lucky to catch them, as I never saw them again the rest of the time I was there!

I agree Lola!

I just staged another condo for this bank and will post about it soon!

Jul 11, 2009 11:53 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Good for you breaking into the REO's. I suspect this agent has one negotiator who she or he has a relationship with.

Heck, it takes me months to get them on the phone and BPO's ordered.

I do know one agent in my office who is doing this. Of course you know I am big on staging so good job.

Jul 12, 2009 12:01 AM
Kathi Presutti
RE:STYLE LLC - Brighton, MI
Re:Style, LLC

Thanks Missy!

Yes, I believe you are right on with your observation about the relationship this agent has with the bank.

I appreciate your comments as I DO know what a big fan of staging you are! I'll be posting a link to the interview I just did with ABC Channel 12 in Flint regarding staging the Fenton REO condo--probably later today.

Jul 12, 2009 12:50 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Kathi, congratulations are breaking the banking REO barrier.  It's great that you've connected with an agent that can talk reality with the bank.  Nice work...here's to a quick sale so that you can keep that relationship strong. 

Jul 12, 2009 07:57 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Well done, and keep after this client to secure more REO properties.  I've recently staged 3 foreclosed homes for a bank client here in our local area, and after being on the market 2+ years, 2 of them sold less than 2 months after staging!  More banks need to jump on board the staging bandwagon!

Jul 12, 2009 04:08 PM
Kathi Presutti
RE:STYLE LLC - Brighton, MI
Re:Style, LLC

Hi Ginger!

Just got an offer over the weekend, so hopfully that will cement the relationship. Thanks for the compliment!

Hi Maureen!

Great stats--thanks for sharing! We just got an offer over the weekend--let's see, staged Wednesday, offer Saturday...gee, I believe staging foreclosures works!!!

Jul 12, 2009 11:24 PM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Kathi - Wow!  Congrats on the offer!  And...

Congratulations.  Your post is being featured in the group Home Staging Before & After Pictures.

Kathy

Jul 13, 2009 11:50 AM
Michele Hess
Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL
Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

Great news Kathi!  It obviously paid off with the offer coming in.  Congrats!

Jul 13, 2009 12:01 PM
Kathi Presutti
RE:STYLE LLC - Brighton, MI
Re:Style, LLC

Hi Kathy!

Thanks so much for the feature! Now let's just hope the offer goes all the way through...:)

Hi Michele!

Thanks so much! Glad to have you visit!

Jul 13, 2009 12:06 PM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

The bank would be a fool not to hire you for all of the foreclosures, esp when a offer comes in so quickly.

 

Aug 16, 2009 12:10 AM
Kathi Presutti
RE:STYLE LLC - Brighton, MI
Re:Style, LLC

Hi Virginia!

Thanks so much! Hope the bank is reading this :>)

Aug 17, 2009 09:35 AM