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As seen on TV?

By Susan Smith

Home Stager with Rooms That Work LLC

June 14, 2007 07:38 AM

Have you noticed the sudden influx of TV attention on home staging lately? The Today Show did a series, 20/20 is airing a segment on June 22^nd, and of course, the latest HGTV series Secrets That Sell.

As a stager, I am thrilled with the newfound awareness that staging is receiving. However, there are a couple points I'd like to clarify, if I may:

Stagers do not talk to clients they way you see it on TV. We are polite and gently deliver our message to the seller in a way that brings them into the process. True, it doesn't make for great drama...but it makes for happier clients!
Not every home needs renovating. Everyone loves before and after stories, and yes, they tend to be more dramatic when there is a demolition involved. But most staged homes achieve their objective without tearing anything down.
You can't completely renovate a kitchen for $500. Get real...when they quote costs, they are only quoting materials, not labor costs. Good stagers pride themselves on their resourcefulness and creativity while focusing on the seller's ultimate objective.
Staging is NOT decorating, it's marketing. Personal taste of the seller, agent or stager has nothing to do with it. The décor should highlight the homes assets and minimize any negatives while creating an emotional connection between the home and the potential buyer.

So enjoy the programs, relish in the drama, but remember that "real" staging is not entertainment...it's all about selling a home faster and for more money. Thanks for listening!

Susan Smith

Rooms That Work
Your home, only better.

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Rey Gallegos

Supreme Lending (NMLS ID #2129) - Las Vegas, NV

FHA, VA, Home Loans Las Vegas, NV

Susan, You are right on the money! Unfortunately, what you see on TV and reality are two different things. Reality doesn't make for good ratings!!! Otherwise, you would have head chefs all over the country blugenoned with Pots and Pans ala "Hells Kitchen!" Great show though! :-)

Your mortgage partner for life,

Rey "Steak Dinner" Gallegos
Senior Loan Officer
mailto:rey@Steak-Dinner.com
http://www.Steak-Dinner.com/
Five Star Mortgage
Your complete community mortgage broker!
Thank you for your referrals!

Jun 14, 2007 07:52 AM

Rooms That Work LLC - Sandy Hook, CT

Ok Rey, I've got to ask...what's with the Steak Dinner? :)

Susan

Jun 14, 2007 07:56 AM

Susan, When I first got into the Mortgage industry about 6 years ago I was working with a Realtor that was new to the business also. We had a mutual client that wanted to bid on a VA reposession. The only issue was that he wanted to bid $20,000 below asking price and that was right when Las Vegas was starting its major upswing in home values. The Realtor thought it was a waste of time but after seeing the property and its horrible condition I didn't think anyone else would bid on it. I proceeded to bet a "Steak Dinner" with the Realtor that we would win the bid. We won...but that not it. The VA told us that we now had 24 days to get the loan closed or they would pull the property and put it back on the market. WHAT???? "There is no way!" said the Realtor because it was a Countrywide loan and at the time rates where at historical lows and CW was running 45 to 60 day turn times. Not knowing any better, rookie, I said "Double or nothing on that Steak Dinner I will get the loan closed!" Well, 24 days and an act of congress later, I closed the loan. From then on everytime I saw that Realtor he would yell out "Steak Dinner! Steak Dinner!" The other people in my office started calling me that and the rest is history.

Jun 14, 2007 08:10 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Susan, well said. I love the way they renovate a home for almost nothing...of course they are not factoring in the labor involved. Thanks for a good post about staging Reality!

Jun 14, 2007 10:14 AM

Maureen Graziano

Third Eye Home Staging - West Islip, NY

I think all the coverage can be a double edged sword. While it is great to get out the word, it also gives people the idea that they can do this themselves. Therefor some people may think they do not have to hire someone for the job. Also, it may be setting unrealistic expectations of what you get for the money and how fast the home will sell. This is a very slow overflooded market. Sometimes, even if the home is staged and priced right, it will still sit on the market for months due to the glut of homes for sale.

Jun 14, 2007 01:29 PM

As seen on TV?

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