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A creative way to sell a vacant home

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Preferred, Madison, Wisconsin

We've written before why renting a home that needs to be sold is usually not a good idea. However, when the tenant is an interior designer, a rental arrangement can prove to be a great addition to a home's marketing plan.

We've placed an interior designer into several of our vacant home listings, including one of our current listings. The seller benefits in many ways from this arrangement:

1) An otherwise vacant home is occupied by a live-in stager who outfits the home with her own furniture and accessories. The vacant home receives more than a new look. It takes on a whole new personality from an interior designer who has successfully staged hundreds of sold listings.

2) Once the interior designer is moved in, we can produce our professional photos, panoramic tour and video tour with the home in its fully-staged state.

3) The interior designer makes sure the home is at its very best for every showing. The home is neat and tidy. All of the lights are turned on in advance of each showing.

4) The interior designer looks out for the well-being of the home. If maintenance issues arise, they are likely to be found more quickly than if the home was not occupied.

For our full online marketing plan, check out HowWeHelpYouSell.com, where we've listed over 30 different home-selling strategies.

Dan Miller, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty and www.DaneCountyMarket.com

Navona Hart
Century 21 Realty @ Home - Farmville, VA
Selling the Best Properties in Central Virginia

Now, if only I had homeless interior designers in my area.  What a great idea.

Dec 16, 2010 10:44 PM
Laura Strunk
Keller Williams Realty Centre - Ellicott City, MD
Howard County Maryland Realtor

I agree with Navona - think it is a great idea, but wondering how to find an interior designer who would have this need or desire to bounce around from house to house. 

Dec 16, 2010 10:47 PM
Barbara Jenness
Barbara B. Jenness, P.A. - St. Augustine, FL - Saint Augustine, FL
St. Augustine FL Real Estate

I actually had an interior designer contact me last year and I was excited about the opportunity. But, unfortunately, the seller was a Trust (Bank) and couldn't have the liability. I do hope to do this in the future. It is a wonderful idea!

Dec 16, 2010 10:52 PM
Dan Miller
RE/MAX Preferred, Madison, Wisconsin - Madison, WI
Helping you Buy and Sell in Madison, Wisconsin

There is a big financial carrot for the interior designer. She can rent the home for free or for the cost of utilities. It does take a unique situation for this arrangement to come together, but the financial incentive for the interior designer is large.

Another option would be to use a Realtor who is also an accomplished stager. I would think there are plenty of Realtors out there who would be willing to entertain and perhaps even embrace this idea. There is probably a much larger pool of candidates in the Realtor community than there is in the designer community.

Have a great day!

Dec 16, 2010 10:57 PM
Betty Knowles
Southwest Missouri Realty - Springfield, MO
Ready to sell? Call Betty!

Dan, this is a great idea. Who better to showcase a homes potential to buyers?!

Dec 16, 2010 11:18 PM