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Why did THAT agent get the listing???

Friday, Dream Interior Redesign and Staging got a call from a REA that wanted a consultation on her new listing. Fantastic, I will await the call from the seller.

Dream Redesigns and Real Estate Home Staging Oakhurst CA Immediately the seller called. She explained that their family home had been listed with another agent for six months and they we so outraged with his lack of marketing and MORE, that they had to change listing agents. This smart daughter helped her dad interview 3 agents. She explained that the original listing agency attempted to replace the first agent with one of their "BETTER" agents but the sellers were so disgusted that they just had to start fresh with a new agent from a new brokerage.

I asked her who they interviewed and all of those agents are active, busy agents.

SO...WHAT got this agent the listing?

She offered a free staging consultation with her listing package. The seller told me, "that sealed the deal." She continued, "everyone was offering the same thing but this agent went a step further" and this was exactly what they wanted and needed.

Here are two photos from this house: (Keep in mind this is how this house has been presented for SIX months, in person and in listing photographs)

photo by Dream Redesigns and Home Staging Coarsegold CA

ONE DAY later, the wallpaper is GONE and today they are shopping for paint and new light fixtures. I know that the changes they are making will help them SELL THIS HOUSE quickly.

Clearly, these sellers were VERY open to my staging suggestions and they remain disgusted that their first agent had never indicated that any changes would increase the appeal of this house and make it more marketable. They WANTED open and honest feedback and that's what I gave them.

Check back later for another post with more photos and results.

SO REALTORS...if you haven't considered having a professional stager assist you with getting more listings AND making those listings stand out from the competition, CALL ONE TODAY. It just might be the best marketing dollars that you've ever spent on your listings.

If you don't know a professional stager, start your search right here on Active Rain.

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Dream Redesigns and Home Staging Oakhurst CA

Dream Interior Redesign & Staging by Ginger Foust, is a full service Professional Staging and ReDesign company serving the California foothill and mountain communities of Oakhurst, North Fork, Coarsegold, Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Wawona and Mariposa. Visit our website at www.dreamredesigns.com or www.oakhurststaging.com for more information or call 559-877-2442.

Posted by Ginger Foust-Home Stager Oakhurst CA Dream Interior Redesign & Staging Calif on 10/12/2009 02:06 PM

Comments (39)

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Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!
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39 Comments on Why did THAT agent get the listing???

OCT

Hi Ginger! You've gotta be kiddin' me!!! I continue to be amazed by what homeowners think will sell. I had a similar situation earlier in the year. It's been my experience that it is typically when the seller is with their 2nd agent (6 months down the road), that they are finally ready to hear the truth about their property. I love that the agent who got the job did so because of the staging consultation provided. Can't wait to see the "after" shots!

Hi Ginger, Sounds like a savvy real estate agent! Looking forward to seeing your "after" photos.

All I can say is OMG what was that realtor thinking?

Hope you have a great relationship with the new listing agent

Ginger ~ Oh that is one smart Realtor who hired you for this staging consultation! Those photos are unbelievable -- no wonder the seller was disgusted with their first agent -- who did absolutely nothing to make their home appealing either online or in person. I'm looking forward to your After Photos -- this is a great example of the powerful benefits of home staging.

It's great to hear first hand that the deciding factor was the free staging consult. It is a great way to stand out from the other agents when trying to get a listing. I'm so glad you got that call, can't wait to see the "after" pictures.

Hi Patsy, good to hear from you. Honestly, I think that the 1st listing agent is as much to blame as the sellers. The daughter and her family had moved out and the elderly father was living here alone waiting for THE SALE. He had NO idea of what should be done and until the daughter came back into the picture (living in another country) the first agent did NOTHING that most of us would expect. I see MANY sellers that truly expect their agents to be THE EXPERTS and give them all of the best advice that they can to make the sale. Unfortunately many don't see themselves in that light and thus nothing happens, or worse. These were/are receptive people but they needed guidance.

It is true that all too often sellers take a 3-6 month listing to see what will happen before they seriously consider doing what is really needed. Frustrating isn't it. Thanks for commenting. Hope that all is well with you.

Diana and Virginia, she has her ups and downs, like many today. She was the first agent to use my services when I moved here 4 years ago and I have worked with her many times. As far as the first agent is concerned clearly he wasn't thinking or he need A LOT of educating. We're all very hopeful that this particular listing will be a success story for all of us! Thanks to both of you for commenting.

Maureen, you know that I told you that I was having a challenge consult on Saturday and this was it. These sellers totally bought into my suggestions after I spent about 15 minutes, during the consult, rearranging some furniture. These photos are good compared to those that the first agent published. Beds unmade, totally cluttered kitchen counters...just plain messy, dirty and unappealing. The seller's daughter is a GEM! Thanks for stopping and commenting. (You must update me on your current challenge.)

Sharon, when the seller (the daughter) told me that the free consult was the deciding factor I jumped for joy and yelled FINALLY, quietly! However, this will be shouted from the rooftops because the new agent is well known and very respected in our small community. Hallelujah! Thanks again for the ongoing positive comments and support!

Yep - seen that, and heard the complaints and the anger from sellers, and been asked to recommended proactive agents that I have built relationships with.

Most of all, what resonates with me is the feeling like they have wasted so much time and misplaced their trust in the wrong person. I've had sellers cry they are so frustrated.

But the one question they always ask is WHY.

"Why did the agent tell me I didn't need a stager?"
"Why did the agent tell me not to call any stagers?"
"Why didn't the agent tell me to fix that?"

I have to tell them, I HAVE NO IDEA WHY.

These folks are ANGRY and they feel so betrayed.

~Michelle

Hi Ginger....it always amazes me. I agree with Michelle M.'s comments as well....the sellers ask WHY a lot by the time we are involved. Realtors would be better served to work with a professional home stager...and yes, it does cost money to hire a professional. The value stagers bring to the listing is usually multiple times over the additional dollars the seller receives...PLUS, the additional confidence that the Realtor is up-to-snuff on the best ways to market the listing. Stage it with a PROFESSIONAL STAGER.

PS--The homeowners WANT staging...and when REAs put staging down as a choice, it only makes the Realtor look bad. Then, the homeowner calls the pro home stager eventually...and then we hear the question WHY didn't my Realtor involve a stager? Honestly, this issue gets old doesn't it?

We've worked with many clients who fired their agents because they felt (and were quite passionate about it) that the agent did not do EVERYTHING that they could have to help them sell their home. This is their job and yet so many seem to not get that we are making a difference. The clients are starting to get it though.... can't wait to see how that will change (or continue to change) the dynamics of the market....

Michelle...yep those are the WHYs that I have heard over and over also, but this is first time that the seller has told me that when the REA added the staging consult it "SEALED THE DEAL."

Your statement is such a crucial element that agents need to hear and understand.......Most of all, what resonates with me is the feeling like they have wasted so much time and misplaced their trust in the wrong person.

I never bad-mouth the former agent but somehow I think that my facial expressions, body language and gasps might give away my feelings. Sellers are being cheated!

Thanks so much for commenting.

Kathleen it gets VERY old and a bit discouraging! Educating them is a major battle where I lived but I keep kickin'. Thanks for adding your thoughts and experiences.

Melissa, it certainly is interesting watching this market, but sometimes change is slower than molasses...at least here. IT IS THEIR JOB and too many are not doing it well. Thanks for stopping and commenting.

I am staging a home this Friday that has been on the market 6 months and they changed agents-can't wait to post the photos. Our stories are identical!!! Yuo are my soul sister.

I can't tell you how many consults I've done, where the homeowner has hired me, always saying their rea's didn't recommend home stagers or even a consultation. All of these sellers had languished on the market for months. It never fails, once it's staged, it sells because it shows so much better.

OCT

Whoo Hoo!, Ginger! I just staged a vacant last week -- It's been on the market for 6 months; the seller changed agents and had me stage. Yesterday, I heard 2 offers are coming in! Guess I need to post that, don't I? :-)

It would be nice to try to understand the thinking of REAs who have a house that is going to be listed - like the one above. It is very obvious that the house needs to be updated and depersonalized. Presenting it in the best possible light for the prospective buyer is key.

Maybe there are REAs who use to think like this and have now realized that Stagers do make a difference. If so, what were your old thoughts and now that you have changed your thinking - What do you tell your clients?

Cathy...soul sister, soul sister. I bet that we could form a new group of stagers with many commonalities like this one. When I hint at things like this during my 15 second "commercial" at MLS meetings, agents really pooh-pooh the message. That's OK, I don't want to work with those agents anyway.

So I guess this means we should start a heavy marketing campaign to those listing that have been out there for at least 6 month....ahhhh. Thanks for commenting sis.

Cindy, I've been trying for the past four years to just get them to include my brochure with their other literature (?) when they do a listing presentation. They don't have to say anything, (many times I wish they wouldn't) BUT.........most don't seem to get it. Considering the comments made here are all from stagers, what do you think they're (REAs) thinking? Thanks for commenting.

Karen...whoo, hoo is right. I would say yes you need to post that....to the REA groups!!! (and us). Congrats....here's to a battle well fought and coming out the winner again! Thanks for sharing.

Susan, getting REAs to comment on staging posts is very difficult. We all want to understand their thinking. In my market area, it's always...no money, no money, but my question is "do you (REAs) even suggest staging and stop second guessing your client's situation?" I would almost bet that this first agent never even considered discussing staging with the sellers or the house would not have been in this condition for showing and photographs. REAs will never no their clients true situation UNLESS they ask and at least providing literature is free and simple.

We just have to keep fighting the battle and we will come out on top! Thanks for stopping, commenting and asking.

Wow, flower wallpaper and bright yellow paint on the bedroom walls. I cannot wait to see your after pictures, I am sure they will make the home look fantastic.

Staging is not really big in my area yet, I handed my card to a local Realtor recently and she wasn't familiar with staging. With HGTV and all their weekend staging shows, I am finding it harder to believe that no-one knows what staging is?

Ginger- I like the others above still am amazed at Sellers who are not aware of what is needed in this market and Realtors who do not make some effort to do what they have been hired to do. Good for the new Realtor who got the listing for providing the extra service the house needed, and congrats on your new project. Can't wait to see the results!

Kate, when I first came to this area 4 years ago staging was unheard of also. I am a party of ONE and they are educated now BUT I'll never forget when a gentlemen caught me as I exited my van (covered in my business signage) and he said.... YOU build stages....this was a LOL!

If an agent isn't informed about staging today you need to become an affiliate with your local board and educate them. THEY NEED YOU and thanks for commenting.

Kathy, the seller just informed me that the wallpaper is GONE and they have been painting all day, plus replacing light fixtures. Oh the joy of clients that really listen and DO. She also mentioned that even she is impressed at the difference that the changes have already made. So I think that's proof that most people just don't see what we do see. YES they really need us!

Thank for commenting and I will post the afters ASAP.

We had a brand new realtor call us last week. She believes that offering staging as a gift to her clients will set her apart from the crowd, and selected us as her stagers of choice. It was beautiful music to my ears, I can tell you!

Laurie that is some sweet kind of music indeed. Together you can show the "oldies" how it should be done in today's market. Congrats and thanks for commenting!

Ginger. Lucky those sellers have you on their side now. I've been called in to several homes that had been on the market for months on end, many of them looking so obviously un-appealing as this new one of yours is. The sellers were NOT happy with the original listing agent and were blow away because the original agent didn't recommend staging. Please keep us up to date with the changes...I see an offer on the way!

OCT

Hi Liz, thanks for commenting. I got my start in real estate related businesses many years ago in Salem. It's too bad that more agents don't realize how not even mentioning opportunities to stage will backfire on them. It's a foolish move and we just have to keep educating them.

OCT

Are you kidding me! A matress on the floor? Looks like the agent was going for the college back packer market? Ginger to the rescue!!!

Hi Ana, I don't think that I hid my giggle (or gasp) as I entered that mattress-on-the-floor bedroom. My comment was "are you going for the college dorm look?" Fortunately the seller had a good sense of humor and totally understood. A REAL bed should be in there by now...I HOPE!. Thanks for commenting.

OCT

Ginger, This is a nice post on the value of home staging. I've used a stager before with good results!

Rich, thank you for the reciprocal comment. I'm glad that you've had success with a professional home stager. Hopefully, with time and education, more agents will come to understand our value.

OCT

Great post Ginger and good job!

Regards; Kimberley

OCT

Thank you Kimberly. Hopefully this next week I'll be able to get back into the house and get some after photos to post. I appreciate your comments.

OCT

What a story! It is bewildering to me why in this market things like this even happen today. I am so glad that you are working with a smart and savvy REA who understands the value of a listing by promoting staging. I can't wait to see pictures of the finished product and here is to quick sale!!!! Great job Ginger!

Hi Sheila, yes it is perplexing. I wonder if the first agent understands why he didn't get to keep this listing. I will have to make sure that he sees the finished product. Thanks for stopping and commenting.

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