Special offer

HELLO . . . is there a STAGER in the House!?

By
Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

I've got a confession to make . . . I never thought that "OWNER OCCUPIED" properties needed to be 'staged.'

Until . . .

. . . today's tour of houses with my client.  

The pictures taken on several of the houses we toured seemed to have been photos from different owners.  I honestly doubt that, just sayin' though.  There was a VAST difference between the "staged" looking photos to how the homes presented when we toured.  Day and Night.  Some of the houses looked . . . sick.

I always thought vacant properties showed better with some professional staging.  I always thought owner occupied properties were a lot better to show, even if they had a few dirty dishes in the sink, at least they weren't vacant.  

Today, I wish -- WISH -- the houses we toured were vacant.  It would have made them look better with nothing inside!!

Today, quite a few of the houses we saw needed a STAGER -- STAT!

And it's something I can't even put into words.  The homes were not "gently used" "quietly lived in" "comfortable and cozy."  It wasn't that they were dirty, unkept or unclean.  They were just very, very tired looking.  Depressed. No personality, drab, dreary. 

It's sad because everything else seemed to be working for these homes.   Good locations, nice layout, great backyard . . . JUST TERRIBLY DATED AND WORN OUT LOOKING.

Put a little effort into it . . . 

 

Posted by

 

 

Carla Muss-Jacobs has RETIRED effective May 1, 2018

Representing Buyers in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market | Clackamas Multnomah and Washington Counties | Since 1999

Carla Muss-Jacobs, REALTOR®, ABR, CEBA, ePro
Principal Broker/Owner ~~ INACTIVE

Carla Muss-Jacobs' retirement became effective May 1, 2018

Direct: 503-810-7192 

 

All Rights Reserved © 

Comments (41)

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I can think of few things an agent can do to give their listings an edge over a competitive listing...staging is a big one.

Jun 30, 2012 11:18 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Carla, I can see what you mean. A little staging would have perked up those tired homes.

Jun 30, 2012 11:21 PM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

We have all been there....those homes that still contain furniture that was collected when the owners were in college can be a tough sell.  I try to have them remove the worst offenders.

Jun 30, 2012 11:38 PM
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Isn't it amazing how some people live.  Dirty, worn out, nothing matches.  Great opportunity when the list agent calls for feedback to give it to them right between the eyes.  They have to educate their sellers.  Do you want to sell or not.  This place is unacceptable and if you're not going to clean it up then we lower the price x amount of dollars and call it a "fire sale".

Jun 30, 2012 11:58 PM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Carla- I can imagine what the houses looked like, I've seen a bunch here too. I think listing agents owe it to their clients to help with staging or refer them to a professional. There's only that one chance to make a first impression and a "sick" house is not a good plan.

Jun 30, 2012 11:58 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

A mention perhaps a sign that says $xxxx amount of money offered toward cosmetic upgrading. This way the elephant in the room is dealt with...I have seen some trashy places where the impression I got immediately was the value is in the land...good post here...CMJ

Jul 01, 2012 12:00 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

I know that you are venting, but I would have loved to see the photos. It's so frustrating when you "cannot see the forest through the trees." That's why staging often helps.

Jul 01, 2012 12:11 AM
Malik Crichlow
GoodBuy Homes NJ Essex & Union County Real Estate specialist - Maplewood, NJ
Maplewood,SouthOrange,Union Real estate

Hey Carla,

 

Great post! staging is very important and can most times be the difference maker for a buyer.  The benefits can be vast if a home is staged correctly.  I like many others would have loved to see the photos.

 

Enjoy your Sunday Carla!

Jul 01, 2012 12:28 AM
Heather Cook
Beyond the Stage Homes - Kitchener, ON
Delivering beautifully staged spaces

We often deal with situations as mentioned in this post and a lot of the time a coat of paint, de-cluttering and some freshening up of the furniture with new accents does a world of wonders. Beyond that bringing in rental furnishings to showcase key areas is normally the clincher in getting buyers to see the potential of the home.

Staging incorporates both the prep of a home as well as its showcasing. Unless a home has not been well maintained or is in terrible shape, investing in staging nearly always costs less than one price reduction when the home is on the market. Staging a home ensures that buyers justify its overall value and creates urgency to purchase the property. It's a win-win for everyone involved. Partnering with a pro stager ensures that your listings look - and sell - for what they're worth!

Jul 01, 2012 12:31 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

  There is a way you live in a house....and get used to....and quite another in the way you sell a house...fresh approach is always best !

Jul 01, 2012 12:55 AM
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Either clean up, declutter and stage or take a 10% to 20% reduction in price.

Jul 01, 2012 01:05 AM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

A professional Stager can really work wonders with a seller's furnishings by editing, re-arranging, and re-purposing.  On a limited budget, a Staging Consultation will provide the plan for  doing so.  Often, a Stager can also be the one to tell sellers how to best live with the new set-up so the listing agent doesn't risk offending the client.

Jul 01, 2012 02:50 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Carla - It's amazing with a little freshening up and organizing can do for a home.

Jul 01, 2012 02:53 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

A little fresh paint can go a long way in sprucing up a drab interior.  A few seasonal plants can punch up curb appeal.  A lot of elbow grease can make a house sparkle.  If you cannot afford to pay someone to do it, you need to roll up your sleeves and get it done.  Too bad that you saw so many in your buyer's price range. Hopefully they can see past all that grime to a great home with a great location.

Jul 01, 2012 05:35 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Carla - staging can make all of the difference.. I asked a friend to call in a  stager an the difference from no light to sunny and cheerful was simply amazing.. Stagers do really earn their money..

 

Jul 01, 2012 05:36 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

There's a lot of that going around isn't there? I think the houses feel as lack luster as the owners about selling. Makes the buyer just want to shrug, go naaaa & leave.

Jul 01, 2012 06:47 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Carla, oh how I loved everything about this post! Spoken/written in true Carla, get-it-off-my-chest "Carla-ease"!!(I was hopin' it got featured).

 

Jul 01, 2012 08:19 AM
Marianne Cherico
Interiors by Marianne Cherico - Foxboro, MA
Home Stager -Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Carla,

I have,like you, seen so many dated,worn out homes that could have used the help of a stager to optimize the showing power of a home. Buyers, more than ever,want a home that they can envision themselves moving right in to-without the hassle of painting and updating. It is marketing 101 to stage your home before putting it on the market. A professional home stager can look at the whole picture and advise the Seller in the best way possible to help make their listing stand out. Thanks for your post!

Jul 01, 2012 10:57 AM
Wayne Turner
Turner Real Estate Group - Mandeville, LA
"The Only Name You'll Ever Need for Real Estate"

I don't think sellers realize how much of an impact staging has. It's always wise to freshen up a property before placing it on the market.

Jul 02, 2012 07:54 AM
Marie Graham
Owner, The Refreshed Home White Plains NY - White Plains, NY
Westchester County Interior Decorator, Home Stager

OH! OHOHOH! I know a Stager! :)  Actually I know where there's a bunch of great ones!

Love the post, and the comments are even better @#2 Joan-contrary to the belief of many, ANYTHING you can do to improve a proerty's appearance is staging, Fresh paint, borrow some lamps, really a lot can be done with very modest means, if someone is so inclined...

Jul 05, 2012 05:48 PM