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Would Your Listing Sell if it Were a Can of Corn?

By
Home Stager

 Imagine your listing is a can of corn.  Buyers are coming down the aisle (the MLS) looking for this product.  They know they want corn, but aren't sure what kind to buy.  So how will they decide?

First, they will look at the packaging (curb appeal).  If that pleases them, they will look at the price. If it does not break their budget they will decide to pick it up and inspect further (schedule a showing).

But what happens if they pick it up and it is dented?  They will put it back and move on to the next can.  And so will every potential buyer after that until it has been pushed to the back of the shelf to languish away, unsellable.

What makes your listing a dented can? Lots of things:

1. Outdated decor and fixtures - the closer a can is to its expiration date the harder it is to sell.
2. Disrepair and neglect - Rusty can, anyone?
3. Dirt - Who wants a can covered in schmutz?
4. Clutter - okay, I don't know how to compare this to a can, but you get the picture, right?
5. Vacant - It's as if the label is missing.  Someone may have written corn on the can with a sharpie, but they have to trust that the corn is actually in there.  Will they?

 So what happens to these cans?  Well, if they are lucky a smart stock boy (Realtor, sorry that is where you fit into this analogy) will place it in the reduced aisle where someone looking for a great deal will be willing to take the risk.  Is there any other choice?

Of course there is!  Unlike that stock boy, youcan undent your can. 

Stagers straighten out dented cans every day. We guide sellers through the process of preparing their homes for sale so that they are not passed over for a more attractive model.  We also help them to realize their full equity potential by assisting them in effectively updating their homes if necessary.

Not so interested in selling your listings at a reduced price and therefore reducing your commission?  Add a stager to your team and make sure all of your listings look their best.

If you are in the Northwest Indiana area, contact Details Staging and Redesign. We Stage, You Sell.

Comments (14)

Chris Tesch
RE/MAX Bryan-College Station - College Station, TX
College Station, Texas Real Estate
I've had a couple of dented cans in my day!  Here's to undenting all we can!                  
Jun 22, 2007 03:24 PM
Kat DeLong
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
REALTOR
what about the ones that smell-- botulism?  LOL   This is actually a very thought provoking post! Thanks
Jun 22, 2007 03:29 PM
Kimberly Wester
Valparaiso, IN

Smell - sometimes it is hard to determine if that falls into the dirt category or the disrepair category!  I've also wondered if some are not a health hazard!  LOL!!!!

Jun 22, 2007 03:36 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living
Hi Kim, what a great analogy, informative, instructive, and humorous at the same time! There are too many "dented cans" out there and the owners don't think it matter.
Jun 22, 2007 11:22 PM
Marci Toliver
438-4642 - Mauldin, SC
Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging
Great  post!  Is this why I like the dented can section of my grocery store!  Because I'm a stager! *wink
Jun 23, 2007 12:24 AM
Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA
Atlanta Home Staging
I love analogies they are so fun to use -- great job with the post!
Jun 23, 2007 12:28 AM
Kimberly Wester
Valparaiso, IN
Thanks for the comments, everyone.  I've found this to be a very effective analogy. 
Jun 23, 2007 06:15 AM
Sue Argue
Staged First Impressions - Hampton, NH
NH Home Stager

Kimberly, great analogy, easy to follow.

"We stage, you sell." --love it !!

Jun 23, 2007 03:08 PM
Ronda Myers-Waters
Willems Realtors, Principal Broker - Chesterton, IN

Kimberly,

Great Post!  Thanks for the analogy!  I will keep you in mind when I have a dented can of corn....I mean a house that needs help!

Jun 26, 2007 03:12 AM
Gina Dougherty
Fusion Design Consulting - Redondo Beach, CA
Home Staging Redondo Beach, CA- FusionDesignConsulting.com
Kimberly, you are so clever, what a great example and effective analogy.  Refreshing the MLS with new pictures of the improved house after staging really helps keep it from expiring as well.
Jun 26, 2007 02:46 PM
Veronica Harbert
Select Home Staging - Denver, CO
Select Home Staging

Kimberly,

This post is beyond clever...it's BRILLIANT.

I just had an idea...what if you had a dented can of corn and a pretty can of corn to take to Realtor office presentations, consultations or bids? Or what if you had cans with labels that you designed...with your company logo and spiffy new tag line? You could make this little blog and analogy part of your pitch. How memorable would that be?

Cheers,

Veronica

Select Home Staging

Denver, Colorado

www.selecthomestaging.com 

Jun 26, 2007 04:59 PM
Kimberly Wester
Valparaiso, IN

Gina- So glad to see you back in the rain!

Veronica - Who did you say was brilliant?  :)

Jun 27, 2007 01:25 AM
Julia Fedak
Royal LePage State Realty - Ancaster, ON

Great analogy, Kimberly.

Packaging makes a HUGE difference to a LOT of people.

Julia

Jun 27, 2007 02:11 AM
Jay Beckingham
Christensen Financial Mortgage - Port St Lucie, FL
Seniors ROCK!

if it's dented to severely you could get estimates from a contractor/home improvement specialists and market it with a rehab loan.

think about it the buyer gets to pick out all their own colors, utilities, etc. 

Jun 27, 2007 02:22 AM