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OK, I'm cutting to the chase! DEAR REALTOR...

I'm happy to see (or hear) that many Realtors are getting more and more interested in Home Staging. Many claim they just don't know enough about how it all works and how to present it to their clients.

Not wanting to leave it to the Agents to google a home stager in their area and give us a call I ask...

DEAR REALTOR, What is your preferred way for us to get in touch with you?

-Cold calling...after my one and only hang up - I decided to find another avenue (Thanks G.P)

-Open Houses...I liked this method and have gained a client from it, but can only hit them on Sundays in my area. Not great for reaching a large number of you.

-Blogging...Also have earned a client this way, but a little too passive for me and many Agents still do not actively blog in my area.

-Flyers in your mailboxes...have delivered hundreds

-Referals are always good, but again...Passive.

-Calling directly...Please tell me if I'm wrong here - But I don't feel right calling your office and having you paged.

So DEAR REALTOR...how can I reach you so that we can chat and I can show you how you could benefit from my services? Coffee is on me!

____________________________________________________________________

Marina Vazzana is owner of CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign. CSP - RESA

Specializing in Home Staging Consultations.

Serving Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and all of Durham Region.

www.CreativeStagingWorks.com

Posted by Marina Vazzana CSP Home Staging Oshawa and Durham Region on 09/04/2009 08:52 AM

Comments (11)

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11 Comments on OK, I'm cutting to the chase! DEAR REALTOR...

SEP

Marina...hope you get some answers from agents. I will follow here to see what they say.

I'm all ears, too, Marina. This is a burning question I've had since I started. I hope some agents answer.

Me too :) I have asked in the past about something similar and was told to send them something that would grab their attention

Can't wait to see the answers you get

Where are the Realtors? We need some answers. I would love to know what they prefer, it is very uncomfortable to cold call.

I'm feeling that as "Professional" Stagers we are offering a service of great value to the Realtors we work with and their clients. So why is it that so many Realtors avoid chiming in to the questions, the polls, the assistance needed, to something that just may strengthen their business?

I would like to see more input from Realtors, after all it is a win/win for everyone...Stagers, Clients and Realtors alike.

I know that my business is generating more and more work from clients directly and many times before they have even actually committed to a Realtor...Wouldn't it be nice to get solid referals from your Stagers?

Realtors...Professional Stagers are here to stay...Let's work together.

SEP

Marina ~ I agree, we all need to be on the same "team" to help our joint clients! And guess what? Just this week alone, I was asked by 3 Homeowner clients for referrals to good agents. Naturally I gave them names of Realtors who are great marketers, and who understand that staging as a marketing tool is a "win win" for everyone involved.

I still find that doing realtor presenations is the best way to gain business. I qualify that by saying you need a effective presentation.

SEP

Marina - I followed you here from another post, so you've already seen my response. For anyone else, I'll start by saying there are no stagers calling, emailing, leaving flyers, or sending smoke signals in my area. I actively tried to find someone last year and could not. I've noticed a couple of new profiles on AR so maybe I'll try again. Obviously, I would find any of the above acceptable.

1) Ultimately, it is a marketing/numbers game. The more you do, the better your odds. Studies show you need multiple contacts with a person to get his/her attention. So, don't give up on the flyers if that is your preferred method.

2) Call the principal broker and ask if your could setup a presentation in the conference room. Bring doughnuts (real estate agents love to eat and are easily bribed) and spend 15-30 minutes explaining your company/services. BTW, as a Stager, your presentation should be visually appealing.

3) If #2 doesn't work or you aren't comfortable with it, ask the broker if you can stage the conference room for a day. Build some excitement by covering the windows and then setup a table, display, mini-house, or whatever the room allows. Have an unveiling right before lunch and leave everything setup with your info for the rest of the day.

4) Scroll through the active listings in an area/price range you want to target. Find a few homes that are in desperate need of your services and contact those agents. At a minimum, this would focus your cold-calling efforts.

It's 2:00a so hopefully this is coherent enough. If not, email me and I'll try to be more clear.

Erik:

It was that earlier post that inspired me to write this one. I know I speak for many when I say you're a breath of fresh air. I so appreciate you giving your input and your suggestions are ones I am putting on my to-do-list this week. We are lucky to have you here on AR and I'm sure your clients are lucky to have you as well.

No problem Marina. Thank you for the kind words and I wish you the best of luck.

SEP

Hi: Marina

I found your blog amusing, as most of us home stagers out there can probably really relate to the frustration. Nice to Know I am not alone in feeling this way. which brings me to share my own amusing story. A week or two ago a real-estate agent called me (no not to inquire about my services ). You know the standard Realtors call, Hi am so and so, from so and so, we have just sold a property in your area and are wondering if you are considering selling. She turned out to be a very nice lady and we had a pleasant chat, but guess what we ended up chatting about? You guessed it Home Staging. We plan to meet in person to swap portfolios and business cards. Wish me luck!

Regards: Kimberley

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