We are working on a consultation for a client who has a common problem. I decided to blog on this topic after reading the blog on staging overpriced properties in hopes of getting a sell http://activerain.com/blogsview/171316/Home-Staging-In-The . This client is preparing his home for the market where there is very stiff competition and has completed some pretty major improvements including paint, carpet and bathroom remodels. So the problem.....He has no money for the stage AND he has a break even point that he needs to achieve in the sale. This price is very close to his asking price (before staging.) When we met with the seller and his agent, the conversation turned to the fact that he has already invested a 5K in updates and although the staging bill is small (as the house is now in great shape), he feels he cannot recoup the cost AND he will then need to get his asking price to break even.
This is the second client we have worked with lately that owes so much on his home that he needs to get almost 100% of asking in order to sell and move onto a new home. I believe this is due to the trend of 100% loans of the last few years and now with the softening market, homeowners are finding thier home has not appreciated as much as they believed it would.
These homewoners are n a tough position but our client already has a contingent contract for a new home so he needs to sell. We created a very detailed action plan for him to complete most of the work to save him as much money as possible. Then the plan calls for us to come in and complete a soft stage and get the home on the market.
Made me wonder how many other stagers are running into similar situations and what type of advice would you give this client?
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10 Comments on Theres just one problem...
Cheri
WHAT A GREAT POST! I think you touched on a very not often thought-of yet very important issue here. People forget to budget and they don't spead accordingly to their needs. And they are left with the problems of not able to stage because they ran out of the money, or more importantly, they MUST get the asking price which makes the process very difficult.
THANK YOU,
Cindy
Hi Cheri - it definitely seems to be a problem when home owners say they can't afford to stage. I think the answer should be "can you afford not to stage?" I can't believe how many open-houses I visit that are sitting empty because the owners have moved on and now have two mortgages. How many months can they 'afford' a double payment when staging might save them from that or a price reduction?
Stephanie
I've just had two stagings fall through for just that reason. In one case I was able to do a consult but I came in after the homeowner spent a lot of money for remodeling that wasn't really necessary. In the other case the owner is currently in an assisted living facility and feels that she can't put anything more into a home that is now vacant. She doesn't buy the fact that a vacant home needs staging. I feel it's a matter of educating sellers and Realtors and that more awareness of the value of staging will come in time. But for the time being it's a tough sell sometimes. . .
Lynn
Have you offered to accept their credit card? Through Paypal you can send them an invoice through email and they can pay you by credit card online. You would have to pay a small fee to paypal for this, but it may help out the homeowner.
Just because you throw someone a life ring doesn't mean they'll grab on.
Cari: We do accept paypal I have een a paypal member for years. We also will accept 1/2 down and half at closing or 90days. I tend to think that these homeowners are afraid and they feel burned by the real estate market so they are less trustng of our advice.
Susan: i'm not sure they view us that way but it is a good analogy.
Thanks everyone