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?

http://transitionaldesigns.com/

 
Post is included in group: Stager 911

10 Comments on Theres just one problem...

AUG
13
2007
257,186 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
We are running into that problem a lot - but it is brand new homes that they can not afford to keep and they are falling behind.  They don't feel they can invest $ to stage and yet each month of not selling they lose more.  I have no solution for them, as I am not staging for free and wonder why they call.  I tell them if we just did the 3 hour consultation and they do what they can themselves would help them - but they give up.
10:27am • #1
1 Featured Post
Kathleen: I think they just feel desperate and are looking for all the help they can find. I use a team approach with them and their agent. I dont stage for free either but  my agents have been willing to pay half the consultation fee so they do get an action plan that tells them room by room where to focus. We then  offer to come  in and do a soft stage so the fee is not high. We have not actualy been hired for the soft stgae but we have one client who we believe will actually follow through. He is working very hard on the items in the action plan.  We will update with the outcome!
10:38am • #2
239,880 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

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 

2:46pm • #3
Cindy: I feel kinda bad for them because by the time they get around to us their funds are gone and usually spent badly! My wish is that agents would identify this group EARLY and gather the team (including a stager) to create a plan to focus their limited funds in the areas with the greatest return!
Cheri Dueker
6:16pm • #4

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

7:01pm • #5

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

7:25pm • #6
AUG
14
2007
3 Featured Posts

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.

7:48am • #7
I'm not a stager, but I know a staged house when I show one, and it almost always garners more interest than those not staged.  I think your industry is a bonus for us, and when I move, I'm having my home staged!
8:01am • #8

Just because you throw someone a life ring doesn't mean they'll grab on. 

Taylor Made Products White Life Rings with White Rope

8:43am • #9
1 Featured Post

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

9:11am • #10


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Cheri Dueker -Transitional Designs, LLC Home Staging St Louis (Transitional Designs, LLC)

Cheri Dueker -Transitional Designs, LLC Home Staging St Louis

Saint Louis, MO

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Transitional Designs, LLC

Address: St Louis, MO, 63139

Office Phone: (314) 517-5844

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