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"CHEERS" to new marketing opportunities for stagers!

So if you have not figured it out yet... I have a BIG mouth.

I would rather share what I know and NEW THINGS I have learned about staging then hold it as a trade secret. WHY? Because the staging industry is young and the faster we all share what we learn the better realtors are helped, seller's benifit and the quicker the enitire industry grows.

(For an AWESOME example of sharing to the industry, see fellow stager Cindy Lin's blog from earlier today)

Anyway, today I visited a Retirement Community to set up a time to come in (open my big mouth) and talk to "residents in waiting". What I mean is that the Retirment Community has new residents who are wanting to move in and enjoy their golden years... if only they could sell their existing homes.

The Retirement Community wants me to come in and share my ideas, insights, thoughts and benifits of staging with these folks. The management is being both savvy and proactive... as they want to educate and help future residents sell their current homes. HOW cool and clever is that?

Considering the audience, this will take a bit of targeted message crafting for sure... but it is an opportunity I welcome.

Oh and where did the Retirement Community find me and my big mouth? Right here on AR... because of my blogging.

CHEERS TO ACTIVE RAIN... it is making a difference!

Posted by Craig Schiller on 10/19/2006 08:26 PM

Comments (29)

blogging, home staging, real estate staging, chicago, staging marketing, staging advice, staging industry, generosity, tips, activerain

Originally posted at: Real Estate Staging / Home Staging Blog: "CHEERS" to new marketing opportunities for stagers!

29 Comments on "CHEERS" to new marketing opportunities for stagers!

OCT

2006

Thats an awesome opportunity to break through to that generation.. I think you'll find a lot of older people are more open minded than they're given credit for... by the way that is a great picture on your post!

Hooray for you, Craig Schiller!

Step One: Call the kids, favorite charity or estate sale planner and pare down. Big time.

Step Two: Call the inimitable Craig Schiller for knock-out staging.

Step Three: Call your favorite and local Active Rain agent to list the home and market it like c-r-a-z-y.

One Tip for the elderly. Take handouts so they will remember it later. Many will actually study it and keep it for reading later. I always find writting it down helps when they go to their kids or friends with the idea.

Hopefully you can do right by these new customers, that you have found.

I LOVE idea-sharing!! It makes everyone happier!

Craig, I used to deliever flowers for a living. Every time I delievered to the retirement apartment, I'd get calls the rest of the day. Why? Because I not only brought flowers, I brought smiles. The residents loved seeing me come with flowers. And they all told their children who ended up calling for more flowers! That is one of my best jobs ever!

Craig,

nice opportunity, nice post, :)

Ray Saen

I knew AR would get the word out - now if only they would find me on AR to list their homes in Arizona!

heh thanks for the mention ;) that's a really interesting idea and it makes total sense, especially with all the baby boomers. i have also had ideas of going to condo boards, but that has not been so successful. i am also going to try to break into the builder's market next year.

cheers,

cin
i stage to sell, live (redesign) and work in san francisco bay area!
cindy@staged4more.com
www.staged4more.com
http://stagingtipsandmore.blog.com/

As an ASP Realtor, staging figures prominently in the benefits we market.

Suzanne,

As a realtor YOU are lucky to have such an understanding and appreciation of staging. But as you know not all realtors have (or ever will have) this distinction, interest, time, or talent to successfully provide complete and comprehensive staging services.

That is why it is why it is WONDERFUL when others (not JUST realtors or stagers) begin to see and want to share the benifits of staging to those who may not know or consider using a PROFESSIONAL stager from a well trained INDUSTRY of professionals.

I am so glad you are getting the word out! Good for your Craig! I totally get the importance of staging, but it is not an easy concept to sell. Most people think that the furnishings and colors don't matter and can't understand it's about visualizing. Slowly but surely, more and more people will get it.

Thanks for sharing,

ines

Cool idea and great opportunity Craig! WTG. I can see you charming all those residents too!

OCT

2006

Hey Craig,

Good job getting out there on AR and bringing it to reality. I see this network as bringing many of us business over the long haul...

Scott

Craig-I work primarily with seniors in Minnesota and would like your thoughts on this...

Often, it's easier for seniors to move FIRST, then sell their home. If it's financially viable, I encourage it. We all know when a home is vacant, it can emphasize the flaws in the home and feel "cold". What would you suggest?

What an out-of-the-box idea for staging! You might also want to approach builders, so that the builder could offer staging services to serious buyers, so that their homes will sell faster and they can close on the one that's being built.

Hey Craig - Thanks for the great idea. There is a 55+ community being built here - it is going to be ready some time in '07. There are going to be over 100 units and local residents get preference. I am going to see if I can speak at the local senior groups about getting homes ready for sale. I think it is a fantastic idea. Thank you so much for sharing. Maureen

I *totally* get what you're saying, Craig. Everyone here on AR has expertise in some area and if we all share that information, we're stronger in our own fields.

...reminds me of something that happened yesterday. *goes to blog*

That's a wonderful lead that AR gave you! I'm totally excited to be here.

That's also a great idea, and I highly doubt it's being done. Thanks!

I like it when the doors open for opportunity.

Go get them. Let us know how it goes.

Oh never mind with what you say your BIG mounth I know we will know.

Keep the great blogs coming! Good information and sharing

I enjoyed a presentation done by Barb Schwartz at the Michigan Ass'n of Realtors convention. She pointed out that staging does not necessarily have to cost a lot of money. From her presentation, I concluded that staging is very cost effective for sellers.

Craig, congrats! Just be very patient...we seniors require that and don't be surprised if you actually have a good time with them!

Craig, since I found you on Active Rain, I've been showing your website to my sellers. In fact, it was just what they needed to see to prompt one of them to rearrange their "stuff" and what a difference it made! Thanks!

I think staging IS the way to go, but agree that it is sometimes a tough concept to get across to sellers.

I heard a great analogy at the C.A.R. convention - most, if not all, people will spend time and money to get their car detailed in order to sell it for top dollar (keep in mind a car begins losing value the instant you drive off the lot). So why not do the same with the product you are selling - your house (you are not selling your home) - that you have invested in and mande money on. No brainer...

OCT

2006

Jeff: Yes it's a tough concept to get across to sellers, just as putting a quality virtual tour on a well-staged property to show it folks is a tough concept to get across to Realtors.

It all comes down to money. We ask that folks stage (it's an outstanding idea!), so we should be prepared to pay for a quality virtual tour.

It doesn't take much to recognize the value (no brainer, as you point out). Realtors who don't think outside the box and offer quality virtual tours will be asked to do it by their clients. Which Realtor would you rather be? Once again, a no brainer.

OCT

2006

Hi Craig, I tried to email you but for some reason my emails always come back undeliverable :-( I don't normally direct people to my blogs but please read the one I wrote today (Oct 22nd) because we are talking about you in the comments!

OCT

2006

Talk about a million dollar idea!!

I have several retirement residences around me and I never even clued into that opportunity.

Guess what's on my task list for today!

Nice job Craig, very creative.

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