This has happened on more than one occassion lately - particularly with vacant homes.  Agents should be paying attention.  In our local market (Charleston) homes are sitting a bit longer than they used to.  Vacant homes, which rarely show as nicely as owner occupied homes are taking a beating.  I see so many of them on MLS it makes my head spin.  What I'm finding interesting, however is that I've been getting quite a few jobs lately where the homeowner is changing agents (after the house has been sitting for months without selling) to agents that offer staging services. 

Cable TV shows are promoting staging nearly daily and homeowners are getting it.  The recent presence of staged properties are also getting attention.  I regularly hear now that agents have seen (or sold) one of our staged properties and what a difference it made when their clients viewed it.  They immediately contact their sellers with vacant properties and the trend grows. 

Which of these photos would your buyer clients be more interested in viewing in person?  Which would they more likely make an offer on?  Would they make the same offer for each? 

When representing the seller, think about the fact that offers are typically higher for staged homes.  When representing the buyer, think you will spend less time driving your clients around when they view homes that show better! 

Don't be one of the agents left behind..... isn't it time to embrace staging?  It really does work!