coupleAnybody who knows me, knows I get involved with my clients.  It's never just about a transaction for me.  I truly care about them and their lives.  Much as it is with family, I want the best for them and I want make their transition from one home to another as seamless as possible.  Sometimes that involves a little tough love.  Though I never want to hurt anyone's feelings and I go out of my way to be gentle, I still tell them the truth.

When a home I'm listing is dated and can command a higher price in a shorter period of time if changes are made, I always advise a staging.  Some people get it, others don't.  When I get an adamant no thank you, I let them know the other option is to adjust the price down to reflect the work that needs to be done.  Sometimes, it's a journey and the seller recognizes over time that his original plan is not working.  Such is the case right now.  With benefit of a little time and no offers on the horizon, I was given the go ahead to do a modified staging.

I expect the impact will be there when all is said and done, but I'm constantly amazed when painters give decorating advice, trying to countermand my suggestions for color.  It's happened with three different painting contractors over the years.  They always suggest some shade of white to my clients, out of my earshot.  It puts me in the difficult position of telling the seller their painter is dead wrong.  More often than not, I use the new neutrals.  It warms up the space and creates the perfect backdrop for the staging to come.  I just wish they would stick to their own specialty and let me create the spaces my clients need  to get the home sold.

 

 

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About the author:

Geri Sonkin is a Licensed Broker Associate/Stager/Decorator serving Long Island sellers and buyers for over 24 years.  Areas of expertise include Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens and Brooklyn.  Specializing in resales, new construction, co-ops/condos, waterfront homes, estates, short sales, rentals and staging your home to sell for the most money the market will bear.  For more information: www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com  For new construction: http://2274Woodbine.GreatCustomHome.com   516-425-6098   Search all MLS listings and access up to date market statistics at AtHomeOnLongIsland.com

All text and graphics contained herein Copyright © 2010 Geri Sonkin & its licensors. All rights reserved.

Geri Sonkin - Long Island Real Estate Expert - Stager/Decorator 

 
This post has been included in New York Real Estate News Nassau County, NY Real Estate News
Post is included in group: 30in30 Showcase
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9 Comments on Color It Anything But White

SEP
04
2010
469,149 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I can really relate to your post Geri.  Getting ready to list a home that has been listed with another realtor for six months.  He advised the seller to paint everything WHITE!!!  My stager will be going in the next few days and we will definitely be adding color!!
2:11am • #1

I agree Geri! There are so many inviting colors, why choose plain white! Thanks for the interesting post!
2:18am • #2
212,267 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Unlike Realtors, painters do not go out and learn what sells and what people want.  May be that is a generalization, but we come from a different place.  We're trying to get the owners more money.  Painters are there to freshen up the walls
3:49am • #3
534,072 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Geri--Over the years I have made so many friends just doing my job or as you say going the extra mile for my clients.  Good post--I clicked the suggest tab.
6:39am • #4
284,961 Points 7 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Atta girl, Geri - painters should not countermand a Stager's recommendation!  Julie
12:54pm • #5
223,756 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good advice Geri. I'm sure your clients are glad they followed your advice. I've seen some of your staging and you do a great job for your clients.
2:06pm • #6
216,585 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Don't get me started on Painter's "color" advice, Geri.  I've been down that road before (when the seller selects their own painter).  Luckily, I have a painter who not only knows HIS stuff, but he knows that I know MY STUFF.  And together, we make an amazing team.  I'll stop here, because I almost feel another blog coming on!  Best, D.
8:28pm • #7
SEP
05
2010
251,423 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I'm with you on the painters.....want them to paint NOT consult on color.  They also want to do what's EASY.  I also love working with painters I know....and they know how I like to work!  Helps keep things focused!
3:14pm • #8
339,597 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

First let me apologize to everyone.  I thought I responded to these things.  Scary this getting old and losing brain cells.

Kathy - I just did a whole house decorating job with the most wonderful painter.   We probably used nine different colors (all related, working off three basic colors).  He never complained once.  He even did a tone on tone stripe for me in the dining room.  He always had a can do attitude.  We had a great working relationship and I'd recommend him in a heartbeat.

David - There are a few painters I feel totally comfortable working with.  They will do what I want and they also know the result will be beautiful.

Debra - Actually in this case, an older person who had used this "painter" for many years and trusted his word.  We came within a hair's breadth of having ghostly white everywhere.  Yikes!

Julie - I'm always stunned by these guys giving their "professional opinion" about color.  There is no doubt they want to make it easy on themselves.

Mary - It takes so little really to give them our best and the outcome usually leaves us all smiling at the closing table.  Thanks for thinking this worthy of a feature.  Much appreciated.

Krista - I'm not sure how it is in other parts of the country, but even the builders here are going with the new neutrals now.

Pat - I can, and have worked with white walls in my staging.  It just takes more work to warm up the spaces.  It's just frustrating when they recently painted everything white.  The painter I have on this job said it would have been fine to paint white, at least the buyers would know the homeowner did something.  I politely told him the problem was, that was not the message we were trying to send.  We weren't saying "look, it's clean."  The message had to be "it's updated."

Jane - You're right, of course.  I think these painters really think they know better . . . and they're killing the seller with their advice.
6:12pm • #9


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Geri Sonkin - Long Island Real Estate

Merrick, NY

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