Too many sellers don't keep their homes in tip top shape.  And in this market, the homes have to be in that shape for months at a time!

That is absolutely TERRIFIC!

Karen, Thanks for sharing this. Could I possibly use this in my marketing package? Pretty Please?

Leslie

Ohhhh Karen,

I love this concept. O.k. if I "borrow" it? Just kidding, of course I will. It will be added to my pre-listing book.Thanks so much for sharing. (Oh my gosh, I just see that Leslie above asked the same thing, but she was nicer than me, she really did ask...and I see she is a stager not a Realtor).

Thanks so much!

Karen, This is really great!  What a great way to illustrate to sellers the importance of being mentally prepared as well as having their home physically prepared (staged) to welcome potential buyers at all times.  I gotta bookmark this one!

I love being used! Please help me promote this industry in the most positive way possible! Thank you for sharing the message!

Oh..could you quote me on that?

Your illustration is absolute genius!!  I too would like to 'use' it in some form or another in my marketing materials.  I see you already gave a 'blanket' o.k. to do so, so thanks so much! 

Karen, this is great! Thanks for sharing it with us.  We've got our house for sale...I think I need a stagers help though...I'm not a decorator and it's so drab and plain looking (to me). 

Very clever way to say it.

I think speaking in analogies is an important sales tool.

This really helps one relate to the point you are making.

Me

Karen that was great.  I've been a home seller and we all know that most of us consider it an invasion of our privacy to have people rooting around our rooms.  Its hard to detach ourselves from that mentality and even harder to convince clients to do the same.  I think the easiest solution is to move into a motel!

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

I have waded through rooms full of stuff -- especially the kids rooms -- often there are all sorts of obstacles and clothing on the floor.  It can be very difficult for the buyers to get past all the stuff and actually visualize themselves in the home.  I think you have a lot of good tips here!

Excellent perspective on buyers, Karen. Sellers and listing agents need to know how much easier a good stager can make the process. Keep giving us content like this!

I could not have said it any better. My house is on the market and I feel the stress to make it look the best every time I get up in the morning. It is a different routine that iA am in these days.

Wow you guys I'd invite you all over for some fun right now but my house isn't ready for company! Thanks for ALL your input here - and please STAGE IT FORWARD!

That is so true.. the market is soo competitive you have to do something to make it stand out.. thats where you come in.

 great post!

Very well said Karen!  These are the points that every Seller needs to understand.  Selling a home isn't always convenient but depending on how much you want to sell, you just may have to be alittle inconvenienced.  Thanks for sharing.

When I was looking for my last house I was amazed at the condition people allowed their homes to be shown in.  The house I ended up buying looked like a model home and honestly I think that's what sold me.  My very first impression when I walked in was WOW, I was hooked and everything else was gravy.

Hey Karen - Great post! Yes, selling a home is an inconvenience.  My home was on the market last summer.  Everyday I had it ready for "unexpected company".  Some days no one would come, but hey, you never knew.  Anyway after all that, I'm still here (long story). But it was a great way to get rid of lots of stuff and get my closets in order. (lol).

It is definitely important to always have a home for sale "show ready".

Karen,

Great post!  Beautiful analysis -- potential buyers coming in should never, ever be thought of as an unwelcomed inconvenience. 

Hi Karen,

This is a great post! I'm with Craig, I think analogies help sellers/realtors to better understand the importance of what we do, that it does absolutely benefits them in the sale of a house! 

Karen, you're so right.  I've had many clients get persnickety at showings, and I have to admit some agents aren't very considerate.. but sellers need to remember their goal.. and as you said make a potential buyer feel like a treasured guest, not a nuisance..  sometimes I have to remind them, that a late showing is better than no showing at all!

Clever post & great way to explain it. 

I really enjoyed your post.  I love to go in houses that are spic and span.  Then I come home to mine after working with buyers, marketing, researching properties all day and wonder where the little clean up fairies are that made the houses I show so sparkling and I wish that they would come to my house every day and work their magic.  So I just gave you Stagers a new tag line:  Clean up fairies that work magic.

Seriously though my buyers do not stay long in messy houses and generally do not put offers on them.  I can tell when I open the door if I will be able to sell that home by the way it is kept/staged. 

Karen, If what I'm saying is a repeat of the other comments, it is because I agree with all of them that you have done an excellent job of making this information easy to read and understand. In other words, YOU ROCK!! That is great!

I've just had a weekend of company for my son's high school graduation, and did your post hit home. There was no way I would have let them in my master bedroom closet!

I would also love to "borrow" this for my listings! I will definitely give you credit. You have hit a home run with this post. It needs to be in your portfolio too. If I were in your area, instead of S California, you would have all of my business!

Fantastic post!  I think your points are spot on!

It is amazing how some simple things like cleaning and clutter clearing can make such a huge difference without costing anything

Great anaology, Karen.  The more ways you can drive this home the better. It's critical.

Amen, sister!  Also realize that the agent that is showing them the house isn't the enemy! 

I am a cleaning machine when I find out that guests will be coming. My mother is selling her house and my brother said that the house never looked that good the whole time they lived there!

Christy, sometimes in order to motivate myself to do a deep clean I plan a party! Then I turn into a cleaning maniac.. ! It works for me.

This is a cute post. And all the things you say are so true. Sellers need to be in that mind set until the home is sold.

Hi Karen, 

Thank you for sharing this.  This is great information.  I'd like to use it also and of course put your name on it. 

Hey Karen this is soooo true, I tell my clients this all the time. I always clean like a lunatic before company comes and I LOVE HOW THE HOUSE LOOKS! I tell clients guests are coming with a large amount of money that could be giving you as a gift, be ready to receive it.

Phyllis Pafumi

Will you please come to Georgia and be my marketing manager, advertising director, public relations advisor and director of sales?

You are way to clever!

Karen, this is brilliant.  What a terrific way to explain to our clients what they need to do. Thanks for sharing!

Okay, I want to be clever like you.

Even the sign out front screams "WELCOME, Rooms available!"

Karen,

I love your perspective on this! What a great post!!!! Very well written and to the point. BTW Congrats on being featured!

What a great way to say it! Thanks Karen!

So very, very true!  And I don't know why I've not put that together until I saw your post but that is such a great way to look at it and tell our sellers.  Thanks

Thank you for continuing to inform us all about home staging. I love AR were you can learn from so many great people like yourself. 

Karen: You just have a way with words. Thanks for the great ideas on how to explain to clients the importance of keeping a house on the market 'picture perfect'.