For the record, I'm not use to saying NO. Having staged hundreds of homes and millions of dollars in real estate throughout the Atlanta area, I know how beneficial staging can be.
The truth of the matter is that I've only said NO to two; both happened this year.
The first time was via the phone when the seller had informed me that he only needed the staging for a day. He explained that he was attempting to trick the potential lender in believing that he lived in the home. The conversation ended quickly.
The second time happened recently with an investment property I was asked to see. The investors live in California and had purchased three investment properties here in Atlanta.
Having passed the phone interview, I was on my way to see the first of the three properties.
NOTE: The home pictured is NOT the home but it's close. The home is part of a collection of photos taken by Kevin Bauman Photography. Kevin is an incredible photographer who has an incredible eye. To see more of his photos, visit his site at Kevin Bauman Photography.
I secured the keys from the agents' office and hit the driveway with a lot of trepidation.
The lawn, recently mowed, lay covered in hay. Appears the last time it was mowed had been months prior.
The car port was leaning. Not slightly leaning, mind you. This puppy looked ready to topple over.
Let me cut to the chase - the keys wouldn't work so I never did get to see the interior. No worries. I knew looking at the exterior that their investment dollars allocated to staging would be better served with repairs, landscaping and painting.
Now I had the difficult task of telling the homeowner that I wouldn't be putting a bid in to stage their home.
Again, I'm not use to saying no.
After a lengthy conversation, I ended up being thanked for my professionalism.
As for the agent - well now that's another story. Appears she didn't like the fact that I said no. Her response: Fine, I'll find another stager who WILL stage the home. I wished her the very best.
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Georgia Interior Solutions (GIS), LLC is Atlanta Georgia's Premier Home Staging Provider. Owner and Real Estate Staging Expert, Kathy Nielsen has appeared on the pages of Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Home Improvement; Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. You can also see one of her staged homes on HGTV's hit show Sleep On It.
With their extensive home staging portfolio, you'll quickly learn that they have the experience and knowledge on what it takes to make your home and/or listing appeal to the prospective buyers. Contact them today for your free no-obligation appointment: 678 522 8392.
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About the Author: Kathy Nielsen, a nationally recognized leader within the home staging industry, offers affordable home staging solutions to help sell your home more quickly. Kathy can be reached via email at info@homestagingatlanta.com or by phone at 678 522 8392. Their Atlanta Home Staging services offer a variety of options to accommodate all budgets. To view examples of their before and after pictures, visit their portfolio at Home Staging Atlanta Gallery.
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Hi Kathy - you bet there is nothing wrong with saying no. I tell clients all the time that I do not want to cost them money and if they want to stage a house like the one above without making the necessary condition improvements I will be costing them money instead of helping them invest it wisely in getting the home sold.
Ethical stagers everywhere do the same - I am sure. Kym