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My Open Letter To Realtors

I have been in the real estate business for over 27 years and have seen a lot of marketing ideas come and go but one I adamantly endorse is that of home staging. We place a lock box on our listings, place full color brochures, beautiful signs, ads in the newspaper and magazines and every website known to man. We have open houses and can't wait for qualified buyers to come through.

What most of us don't realize is the house is screaming at us "What have you done for me"?! The problem with sellers telling us they can arrange their own home is that they look at their own home through their own set of sunglasses. By this I mean they believe they know how their home looks its best and "everyone just better accept it".

The problem with that is what Mr. & Mrs. Smith may think is attractive is not necessarily what "The Masses" think is attractive. There is something powerful about the feel that a home can convey and what that feel is...good or bad.

Think about it. Why are you drawn to a certain restaurant, theatre or department store every time? You probably don't realize it but part of the reason you are drawn to these places is because of "How you feel when you are there". There is something about that store or restaurant that keeps you coming back. My youngest daughter and I had this conversation not long ago. I didn't realize it but I am always drawn to a certain Outback Restaurant in our town and feel best in that certain restaurant than any other restaurant.

Ask yourself: With all the homes on the market in many parts of the country "What is going to set your listings apart from all the others"? All the other Realtors have the signs and same marketing as you do but what message does your listed home send when buyers pull up to the front door and when they walk in the front door?

Many Realtors feel awkward about telling a seller their home needs to be staged. Would you want your heart surgeon to leave out valuable information because he or she was afraid to tell you? We owe it to our sellers to be honest with them and tell them what their home needs to set it apart from every other home in the neighborhood. You and I are not qualified to give them that information. Only a professional stager can do that. Once you get the reputation for having beautifully staged and well priced listings you will be known for it. Realtors will want to show your listings and will consider it a privilege.

So set yourself apart from every Realtor in the country. Connect with a great home stager that you respect and trust. When you meet with your sellers don't just endorse your home stager and hand them some printed information but promote him or her as you would anyone else on your team. A few hundred dollars spent now will not only improve the reputation of your listings and set them apart but you will be known as a true full service professional that people will feel honored to work with.

George A. Tallabas III

Associate Broker, GRI

CCIM Candidate

RE/MAX Advantage

5680 E. Franklin Rd. Ste 100

Nampa, ID. 83687

208-880-2333/mobile

208-466-0002/office

208-466-2227/fax

george@tallabas.com

http://www.searchidahohomes.com/

http://www.ccimnet.com/

Posted by George Tallabas - Idaho Real Estate on 08/10/2007 01:42 PM

Comments (54)

idaho housing market

Originally posted at: Idaho Real Estate >> ID Real Estate Specialist: My Open Letter To Realtors

Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...

54 Comments on My Open Letter To Realtors

AUG

2007

George - as usual you have provided sound advice. Thank you. I, for one, appreciate that you are more than willing to share 27 years worth of knowledge so that those of us that are working toward that tenure can be successful. Thank you thank you thank you.

George, it's your understanding of doing whatever it takes for the benefit of your clients that sets you apart from the others. That's why you're a top producer in Boise, no doubt.

Good advice George. Over the years I have always given sellers advice on preparing their home for showings. Some complied, some didn't. I am happy to see the home staging business become a viable option in our business.

Great post george. You really get to the hart of the matter and I know it will change some realtors views on using a home stager. Thanks again for being a cheer leader for Home staging

Carol - Thank you very, very much for your support and kind words!

Sue - I appreciate your comments my dear friend and I wish you the best

Dan - Keep on giving the great advice

Maria - I hope it change a lot of Realtos views

George, I love this blog! I am getting ready to post a blog on my website about what other agents think of staging. Can I link to this one?

Kimberly - "Go for it"

George - I wish you lived near me. You make some great points. I think realtors do have a responsibility to their clients to give them the information on pricing and condition of the home. The times they are a-changing.

Maureen - Thank you my friend. You are welcome to send my letter out to Realtors in your area and use my name and give them my contact information. I will support all of you 100%!

George: How did you get so smart? I always read all of your blogs because you seem to think "out of the box" and to be completely invested in giving your clients the best. All of us in the staging industry should find a local agent who is as smart as you so we can join their team! I'm rating this post a five! More...more

Cheri - You have just made my day! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Well, you may think out of the box, but you dog gone nailed the center of the box on this one! Wow! Thank you. I would love to link think this on my web site and maybe write my own article using some of your quotes ( with credit of course). Is that acceptable? You are awesome, man! If I didn't love my husband, I would want to love you!

Wow Karen! I am blushing! Use the information as you want! You just made my day!

George if I could stand before you I'd give you a great big hug! Thank you for being an agent of change = an agent who understands the power of staging. This is so great to see and read from the perspective of a Realtor who has the best interest of their clients in mind.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Good advice, George - but you will have to settle for just a hand shake from here. (o:

See you in the photography pages

George, oh what I wouldn't do to have a realtor that thinks like you in my area. I can even get them to join AR. May I reproduce your Open Letter (with credit to you) to distribute at our next MLS meeting?

I do have ONE local agent that is leaning in the right direction but isn't at your level, by any means. Thanks so much for taking the time! Kudos!

And who do you use as a stager in Nampa. My step-son is there and dabbles in Real Estate...he might be interested. Thanks again.

George, thank you for a very powerful blog.

I truly wish more Realtors (especially those with the same years of experience) would see the value in staging.

Staging is a truly great marketing tool that should be embraced by both Realtors and homesellers. It is such a win/win situation for both.

I too would love to link to this post with your permission.

Thank you again for your continued support of our industry. I send you a virtual hug as well. I think you will be feelin' the love to night! :-)

Karen - Thank you for the long distance HUG...I needed that!

Ted - I plan on it...thanks

Ginger - Thank you very much. I use AR member Maria Lechner

Joelle - I need all the HUGS I can get...Thank You! You can use my letter anytime.

AUG

2007

Amen, George.

Thank you Cari

Hi George....great 'open letter'! I hope that your words reach many realtors and they understand the benefits! Even though Realtors are placed in the position to 'guide' the homeowners, it is often a challenge to find that neutral ground without offending the client! Nice words and excellent advice for your colleagues!! THANKS!! Regards-Kathleen

Kathleen - Thank you and I hope your business is wonderful!

Wooo Hooo! Standing ovation for this post!!

It is about doing what is right for the client, not what is comfortable for the Realtor! The heart surgeon analogy is great!

Lori - Thanks you for the standing ovation dear...."Somebody out there likes me!" Ha Ha Have a wonderful weekend.

I have read some of you other posts (that have nothing to do with Staging) and you sound like a very wise and caring man. Who wouldn't want that kind of agent? Thanks for the referral to staging. It's great to have credible people like you recommending the service!

Wow...thank you whoever you are. You just made my weekend!

Thank you, George - it is so refreshing to see agents that are willing to do whatever it takes and to embrace "new" ideas - it will be the best for all concerned. We stagers really do help and our interest is in making the home look its best to sell faster, sell higher.

Thank you Kathleen. I was my pleasure to support all stagers. Have a great weekend.

George, you are the man. Everyone needs a George in their life and I am glad you are in mine. Now, don't let this go to your head. lol Your friend forever!

Dianne...Thank you so much my friend. Have blessed weekend!

George,

I just made a post on my own blog about home staging. Essentially it comes out to this (in my opinion), agents can develop a relationship with an auctioneer who can help clear out some of the junk, liquidate some of the assets to buy new (better staging), sell stuff for a down payment, etc.

As a professional auctioneer, I do many "moving auctions" - where the seller is moving somewhere else and wants to sell much of their personal property instead of moving it. In fact, I am doing one tomorrow that's a referral from a top agent in my office. Yes, she WILL be paid a referral fee.

PLEASE think about some of the ways you can work with auctioneers to add to your services.

Come on in...the water's fine.

George,

If you don't know Randy Wells, auctioneer in your area, you should. He's a mentor and a friend. He may be able to help you in the future.

Very well said, George!

great post!

Michael - Thanks for the comments. I don't know Randy but maybe our paths will cross

Lisa - Thank you

Angelica - Gracias!

George, too bad there wasn't a more positive response to this post from stagers ;)

Sue - I think you are reading something other than the comments to this blog!

Perhaps it's just the many "real estate" designations that's throwing Sue off? I could see that...

I'm a Realtor and a stager...so, my appreciation is from both perspectives...

George - Great post here. I can definitely attest to the power of good staging. I have had several listings that looked un-sellable (is that a word?), then our stagers worked their magic and we sold them all.

George - Great post. I love the question you wrote regarding agents feeling awkward about presenting staging...."Would you want your heart surgeon to leave out valuable information because he or she was afraid to tell you?"

I encourage realtors to bring me along on listing appointments. Since realtors don't know the appearance of the home before the appointment they will not be "hurting" their potential clients feelings. Having all the tools available to Realtors is a must in today's R.E. industry.

AUG

2007

Lisa - Maybe Sue was just "Tired"...LOL

Jason - I am right with you my friend

Janice - It would be great if we brought you along but I have another suggestion. Have the Realtor take a lot of photos and even create a "Real Estate Show" which I always do and then email to the sellers before the next appointment. Sellers fall in love with this and you as a stager could work off of those photos to convince the Realtor and seller how much they need you. Good luck and have a wonderful day.

George, I'm interested that you use RES. I love this product and I think it's a bargain for realtors but I can't get anyone to use it. Other than the $$ can you think of a reason why that might be. It's so much classier that just a slideshow, quick and doesn't have the dizzing effect of the virtual tours. I make one for every staging and they love them, but that's where it ends.

Thanks would love to hear your thoughts.

George - I think RES shows are a great idea but why not bring your "preferred stager" from your team with you? I have been on potential listing appointments where the realtor pays my consult fee. Realtors have told me that I helped them get the listing! It's a win-win-win!

Ginger - I have used RES for months and it has worked very well for me. Thanks

Janice - I think it is wonderful if Realtors allow you to accompany them on all listings. Another idea is to use www.flyerus.com and email all Realtors in your local MLS either this letter I created or some other type of marketing material that will get their attention. This is how my stager Maria Lechner got my attention and how we met. I later recruited her to Active Rain.

Great post George. Now if we can just get all the Realtors on board with the concept. Maybe your next open letter could be addressed to the home sellers? Thanks for saying it so well.

Sandra - You are very welcome and "Thank You" for you kind comment.

AUG

2007

George: You are our staging hero! Once again, thank you for pointing out the value of staging. We are here to help! We are here to help the seller and the listing agent save money and potentially make more money! Clearly you are a credit to the Real Estate industry. Please keep blogging and educating.

Thank you very much Michelle! You are all making me blush!

George, plain and simple...What would it take to move you to the Washington DC area? We need you and your forward, big picture thinking in this part of the woods! Basic economics says improve the product or lower the price, and Professional Home Staging definitely improves the product. Love your analogy with the heart surgeon!

Patricia...you never know what it would take to lure me...LOL! Thank you so much and I hope you get some value out of this post. Reprint it and use it in any way you like. Have a great day!

When you put it like that I guess I'm going to have to find a few good home staging friends out there! Thanks for the advice!

Jeff - Thanks and now that teaming up with a great home stager is awesome!

AUG

2007

I completely agree!! It's very hard to get some of my clients to even consider it. They think it's a waste of money. They start thinking differently when their house hasn't sold 2 months later. :)

Pamela - Very true and thank you so very much

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