Home : Blogs : Kathi Presutti--RE:STYLE LLC : RE:VIEWS from RE:STYLE

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

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 Kitchen Living Room Family Room

This is a bathroom you'll remember! Hall Bath

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!

Posted by Kathi Presutti--RE:STYLE LLC on 07/10/2009 05:10 PM

Comments (16)

Bank-Owned REO Properties in the ActiveRain Channel

staging reo properties, staging bankowned properties, home staging in brighton mi, home staging vacant houses, expert home stager

This post has been included in Michigan Information
Post is included in group: Staging "Before" & "After" Pictures
Post is included in group: Michigan Real Estate
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Michigan Realtors
Post is included in group: Accredited-Staging-Professionals

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

JUL

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

Nice job but, are the birds included?

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!

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

JUL

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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!!!