Home > Blogs > Susan Peters > Susan Peters's Blog

How do You Treat the Little Guy?

By Susan Peters

Real Estate Agent with Dove Realty Inc.

November 10, 2009 07:03 AM

Most agents will pull out all the stops for their high-end listings.

Staging
Professional Photography
Glossy, full color flyers...the works

But if you really want to know how they're going to treat your house, take a look at how they market their most affordable listings. Too often, you will see:

Dark, amateur photography
No staging efforts
The MLS reports printed out in black and white for flyers

Well, not me.

I believe every listing deserves my best. This little condo I listed in Magnolia was sited on a lush ravine and had been totally remodeled by the owner. It just needed the finishing touches. With some classic staging and gorgeous photography to capture the setting, it sold in thirty days.

The other unit in the same complex is still sitting there six months later...

These photos really captured the setting and the fact that this was an end unit wrapped in windows. You can see the difference staging and professional photography makes. This level of service is included in my commission at no additional cost to the seller.

Equal rights for all listings!

Re-Blog

Comments(21)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Ralph Gorgoglione

Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA

California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

I give as much energy to my smaller priced listings as I do for my higher priced ones.

ONLY if they care as much as I do. If they don't care how their home shows or making it accessible for showings, then I can't make it a priority either.

But then that applies to any home, I suppose.

Nov 10, 2009 07:19 AM

Kim Dillon

Creative Eye Home Staging - West Chester, PA

Great photos! I really believe that the lower priced homes benefit the most from staging.

Nov 10, 2009 07:52 AM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Susan - your work is incredible. If you could post this in the group Staging Before and After pictures, that would be great as I'd love to feature it.

Kathy

Nov 10, 2009 10:29 AM

Susan Peters

Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA

The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Taylor: Thanks. The photography makes a big difference too.

Ralph: That's an important point. We can only care as much as our clients.

Kim: I agree.

Kathy: Thanks. I just posted it.

Nov 10, 2009 11:33 AM

Debby Dutilh

Art and Soul Home Staging - Los Angeles International Ai, CA

Thanks for sticking up for the "little guys". I'm disappointed when I hear realtors say that only homes above a "certain price" are candidates for being staged. Don't they also deserve a chance to also attract more potential buyers and perhaps more offers?

Nov 10, 2009 01:30 PM

Cathy Lee

CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA

ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Great post and points. I too give the same energy to every price point. It is essential in todays market.

Nov 10, 2009 02:45 PM

Leanne Zumbrunnen

Z Touch Design Services - Lenexa, KS

Wow! The photography and staging make this small place look so upscale. Great job. I agree that small places need the help just as much as the higher end. Often times they need it more to make a small space feel desirable.

Nov 10, 2009 02:58 PM

Susan Peters

Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA

The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Debby, Cathy and Leanne: I often find that my clients in the more modest price range will roll up their sleeves and do the hard work required to bring out the best in their property. That inspires me to work just as hard.

Nov 10, 2009 04:59 PM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Thanks, Susan.

Congratulations. Your home staging is being featured in the group Staging Before & After Pictures

Kathy

Nov 10, 2009 10:02 PM

Tom Boos

Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Providing the very best of service to Sellers and

Even the smallest of homes can look like something out of the pages of Better Homes and Gardens - with the right staging. It really does make a huge difference.

Nov 10, 2009 11:47 PM

Leesa Finley

RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC

RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Susan - I am always shocked to see how lower priced listings are treated at times - absolutely appalling! Like you said, they deserve the same attention as ANY listing. You always do such beautiful work with your staging!

Nov 10, 2009 11:51 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Susan ~ it's true that many agents have the misconceptions that only homes priced over a certain threshold are "worthy" of staging. Nothing could be further from the truth! I've staged some great well-priced little condos this year and they all looked fabulous and sold within a few days.

Nov 11, 2009 03:40 AM

Patty Hill, Broker Associate

Local Homes and Land, Inc - Summerville, SC

Local Homes and Land, Inc

Susan, you get it. I love this post. It is wonderful to see that you understand that every listing deserves the best. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Nov 11, 2009 01:43 PM

Please Delete

Not Interested - Antigonish, NS

Hi Susan,

Thank you for inviting me to join AR.

Your post is great - the staging pictures really showcase the benfits of thoughtful staging.

Nov 13, 2009 05:32 AM

Susan Peters

Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA

The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Tom, Leesa, Maureen, and Patty: Not only do our clients in the lower price point deserve our best they often need it more. Thanks for your comments!

Nancy: You are welcome. Please call me if you have any questions.

Nov 13, 2009 03:23 PM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Susan,

Another Winner for you!!! With the right Pricing, the right Staging and the right photography for the internet photos...this beauty won her contest!!! Thirty days of SHINING and she SOLD!!! Next you will get the listing on the other one that's been sitting on the market for 6 months longer. Well done!!!

Nov 13, 2009 03:24 PM

Liz Gallagher

LG Home Harmony - Home Stagers & Organizers - Montreal, QC

Montreal Quebec RESA member

Giving 100% + is just what we Stagers do best. Don't you find we are most creative when put to the challenge? You really did a fabulous job of making this home stand out ... beautiful quality photos too.

Nov 14, 2009 04:49 AM

melody salazar

Salazar Staging & Custom Interiors - New Braunfels, TX

YIPPEE - a realtor who truly does grasp all the different areas that are each important in their own way, and even more impactful when combined. Pricing AND Presentation - the two controllable aspects that you have a firm handle on. I wish you lived in my neck of the woods. You are a rare professional ~

Thank you for this great post and the beautiful pictures,

Mel

Nov 15, 2009 08:41 AM

Michelle Finnamore

Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON

Preparing your property for sale

HI Susan, I always say the ads for a listing cost the same amount no matter the listing price. It only makes sense to stage and photograph them professionally to market them and attract buyers. In doing so, you get the listing off your books, the client is now loyal, happy and willing to refer you. You don't know who they know. It may just be your next million dollar listing. You managed to sell the property without unwarranted spending on ads or open houses. Bravo to you! The end goal is always the sale of the house, as quickly as possible and for the most money. You did both. Congrats.You and your buyer now have a powerful story to relay to people.

Nov 15, 2009 11:04 PM

Angela Gagauf

NJ Home Staging and Redesign - Montville, NJ

NJ Home Staging and Redesign

Fabulous pictures! Sometimes smaller and less expensive homes benefit even more from staging than larger and more expensive homes. And it's great that you treat ALL of your listings equally.

Dec 02, 2009 12:30 PM

Older Post

Newer Post

How do You Treat the Little Guy?

Comments(21)

Susan Peters

Real Estate Resources

Additional Information