Sometimes people think of professional home stagers as having a little magic in our bag of tricks, because of the way we can transform a property (vacant or occupied) to make it look irresistable to potential buyers.
If you add great customer service to the mix, home stagers can practically be magicians when needed!
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On Wednesday last week, I received a call from one of our favorite repeat clients ~ they asked if I could look at a vacant new construction home right away and provide a quote for staging it. Even though I had a full schedule, I made time to pick up the key and view the home. That evening I emailed them my staging proposal and the next morning they accepted it. I was thrilled -- the house is gorgeous and I knew it would be a pleasure to stage it. But ... they wanted the staging completed two days from then! (Yikes, it's 4,100 sq ft and it's going to take a ton of inventory!)
No problem .... I lined up my staging team and my transport team and selected all of the main furniture pieces, then stayed up late pulling all the right art and accessories, lamps, etc. and filled up my SUV with several loads. Even though I had to de-stage another house on Friday I made sure that we took care of our repeat client no matter what. It goes without saying that when you're in a service business, you do whatever is necessary.
Saturday morning we were at the property offloading more of the smaller items and waiting for the "truck" with all of the larger pieces to arrive. Suddenly, several big flatbed trucks pulled up -- loaded with 85 trees they'll be planting on the property that day! The landscape crew was very busy outside, while we were busy offloading and directing the movers. In the midst of all of this hub of activity, my client (owner of the property) showed up unexpectedly to show the house to his wife, followed shortly afterward by the listing broker, who was there to take notes for the online listing.
After a long day, we'd finished staging this home ... and since it was dark, I went back on Sunday to take my photos. The end result was a happy client, a grateful listing agent, and hopefully some good will created by our being able to respond so quickly. Professional home stagers across North America provide this same level of service every week to their clients. We love what we do and we can't wait to repeat this scenario again soon -- so bring on the challenges and we'll be there to create whatever magic is needed!
Here are some photos of our favorite rooms in this lovely home ...
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Room Solutions Staging offers expert home staging services in Portland, Oregon to homeowners, real estate agents, builders, banks, and investors. Our proven home staging techniques will help reduce your property's market time and maximize your equity. We'll prepare your property or listing to look appealing to your target buyer for the online photos as well as for in-person viewings. Our owner and principal stager Maureen Bray is a nationally-recognized home staging expert and enjoys sharing her passion for staging with others. For a complimentary home staging proposal, please contact us @ 503-246-1800.
Licensed • Insured • Accredited • Certified
2013 Top Ten Professional Home Stager of the Year - United States
2012 Professional Home Stager of the Year - Western U.S.
~ President/Chair of the Real Estate Staging Association ~
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"Staging That Sells Portland Homes"
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61 Comments on "You Need the House Staged WHEN??" The Power of Good Customer Service ...
I like it. When customers are willing to pay for the service and be loyal you bend over backwards to make them happy.
Ah, so now you know how we feel when people expect us to drop everything and look after them! LOL. You did a great job staging that home,
Ty
A magician you are! Beautiful job. That is the beauty of having all your own inventory. With rental companies, that lead time would have been very difficult to make happen!
Way to go Marueen! Nothing like having a magic team to *wave in* and stage with two days notice!! Good work! Your photos look super!
Excellent job with the time you were given.
Great story and great message to those who are still trying to get what home stagers really do!
Very impressive customer service & fabulous results. You rock!!
Quality work and fantastic service -- I can't imagine you doing anything different than this Maureen! That's why your customers will keep raving about you and keep you hopping! There's nothing better than a delighted client!
Hi Lottie ~ I'd like to move right in, too! I see your office is in San Carlos -- I went to Notre Dame in Belmont (a long time ago!)
Hi Gene ~ I agree, you treat your clients like royalty and they'll remember you!
hi Ty ~ Thanks for your comment -- appreciate it.
Hi Kim ~ We have a great rental partner for some of the larger pieces who gives fabulous customer service too.
Hi Kathleen ~ It's a small but effective hardworking team -- can't do it without them.
Hi Lyn ~ Thanks for your feedback. (did your dog win the contest?)
Hi Sharon ~ Thanks, it was a whirlwind that felt like we really did our best.
Hi Margaret ~ I'm sure your clients feel the same about your work and great service, too!
Maureen,
That is a gorgeous home! And you did such a great job as always, thank you for providing a glimpse into what and how home stagers work.
Maureen: Not only are you a gift professional ... but obviously a very smart businesswoman. Making and keeping existing clients happy is a top priority ... a message you made loud and clear by your actions. Brilliant! ... on all accounts!
Gene
Maureen ~ It sound like extreme makeover. The house looks fabulous! I have the chair you have in the office in my office at work.
Hi Kulli ~ Most of us are good at reacting quickly to a clients' requests. Fortunately I'm a person who thrives on stress!
Hi Gene ~ You said it ... "making and keeping existing clients is top priority." Thanks very much for your kind remarks -- it's always nice to hear from you.
Hi Monique ~ That is a very versatile chair, isn't it? Thanks for reblogging my post!
Aloha Maureen,
Awesome work as usual! Customer service is huge and your willingness to go the extra mile with a smile is a testament to your obvious success as a stager! Thanks for the inspiration.
Peace,
Hi Maureen,
What a beautiful staging job. I agree with others who have titled you the "Queen". That was a huge job to take on with such short notice. You are wise to be on good terms with other area vendors so that you can pull a team together and accomplish something like this in fine form! I also know that you took on the lion's share of work, staying up late to put together the accessory package that gave this project its SOUL!
The pics look great and I get the feeling you and you and your new camera are fast becoming best friends!
Regards -
Hi Maureen,
What a beautiful staging job. I agree with others who have titled you the "Queen". That was a huge job to take on with such short notice. You are wise to be on good terms with other area vendors so that you can pull a team together and accomplish something like this in fine form! I also know that you took on the lion's share of work, staying up late to put together the accessory package that gave this project its SOUL!
The pics look great and I get the feeling you and you and your new camera are fast becoming best friends!
Regards -
hi Kimo ~ I like your saying "go the extra mile with a smile" -- that's a winner!
Hi Janis ~ Thanks so much for your feedback, it means a lot to me since I consider you to be one of the Northwest's best stagers!! Good to see you back here again!
You ladies and gentlemen have the magic I just don't have. Good Luck to you as you help to sell homes. Margaret C.
Hi Margaret ~ We all have our own unique talents, and I'm so glad that I found mine. I'm sure that you do a wonderful job helping your clients buy and sell homes -- I hope that you have a wildly successful 2010!
Hello Maureen,
What an lovely home! You did a fabulous job as always.
Rita
hi Rita ~ Many thanks for your nice compliment.
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