Special offer

I beleive in what I see...show me what I am looking for.

By
Home Stager with Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607

I believe in what I see... show me what I am looking for.

When you prepare your house for the market, find out first WHO your target buyers are, than prepare your house FOR them. Only 10% of buyers can envision themselves in the house that obviously tells them a different story.

virtual staging consultationAdd Value Home Staging received and e-mail from the client who is selling his house in Denmark. How exciting. We conducted our meeting through Skype and I was able to examine my client's listing photos and give her some recommendations. During our Virtual Staging Consultation we discussed furniture rearrangements, art work and accessories placement, and other home editing ideas to make her house more appealing.

I found out that the house has been on the market for quite a while and had two price reductions. Now it is priced 10% below market value and had some traffic but no offers yet. I asked my client why her house is not selling. Her answer was that their house is in the area that would not attract a young couple with kids because their local elementary and middle schools are not that popular. This was the reason they are looking for a new home too. Who is their potential buyer than? She said that more likely it will be an older couple. Also I didn't think it will be the family who wants to downsize because the house is close to the beach and the buyer will more likely want to have some extra space for guests to stay over.

At the same time the house shows clearly two nicely decorated kid's bedrooms and an office with spare bed for the guests.

Our plan was to transform their house according to the buyers needs.

My suggestion was to remove the spare bed from the office and make it strictly computer room, move spare bed to one of kids bedroom, pack up the crib and transform the baby's room in to the guest room with neutral décor. We will leave only one bedroom decorated for kids.

When I make my suggestion I like to explain WHY changes are necessary.

 

We are targeting two types of buyerstarget buyer

1. If the older couple will come to view the property all they can see is two little kids bedrooms, and if they don't have kids that age than this house is not for them. They will just go to see the next house on their list. Our new configuration will allow them envision their family in the house with a separate office space and a guest room for their fiends. Their grand kids can stay over in the kids bedroom.

2. The house can also appeal for the young couple who will have kids some time in the feature but now are looking for the extra room for their friends or relatives to stay over. One kids bedroom will give them an option for expanding their family.

 

I was happy that we were agree on the game plan. It will be a lot of time involved to make all the changes that we discussed, but it is always better to invest your time and some money than reduce asking price which will cost thousands of EURO's in this case.

So before you start preparing your house for sale find out first WHO your target buyers are, than prepare your house for them.

Comments (24)

Valerie Sagheddu
Apostle Art Home Staging & Design - Stroudsburg, PA
~Home Staging Professional, Poconos, PA

That is cool...what a great idea to use skype! You are so right...the target buyer is key which is why cereal companies put kids cereal on the bottom shelves!!

Nov 10, 2011 01:42 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

You, my friend, are amazing and so talented, far above most when it comes to technology and so impressive!  What I have for you tonight is a big WOW!  You rock Anna!

Nov 10, 2011 02:13 PM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Anna--high-tech staging via SKYPE.  I love it.  I think your suggestions were right on target for the potential buyer and I hope your client sells quickly now that she's consulted with you. 

Nov 10, 2011 04:16 PM
Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

Anna, that is absolutely essential; knowing who the target market is! I love the technology, how are you being paid?

Nov 10, 2011 05:23 PM
Tammy Pearce
Haute Realty 214-994-6474 - Dallas, TX
Tammy Pearce

Anna - I am so amazed that you staged a home via Skype!  I never would have thought of that. You have opened up a whole new dimension to your business.  Way to go!!

Nov 10, 2011 11:06 PM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Sally, did I tell you that your are the Master of Compliments? Thank you.

Valerie, thanks. Yes, it's all bout presentation in the easiest to digest way for potential buyer.

Roger, it was very easy solution because I talk to my friends and family on Skype all the time. It is much better than paying for international calls plus you can type them a message with URL of picture examples at the same time. Believe me it's not a rocket science LOL.

Hi Janet, it all depend now now quick she can make those changes.

Peg, via PayPal. You create an account with them and than put their payment icon on your website.

Valerie, if they are looking to move to the area with better school, than why the same family should buy their house? If they don't want it why someone else will? I hope those changes will help them sell.

Thank you Tammy, It was fun.

 

 

Nov 11, 2011 01:06 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Anna, look what a fabulous experience the Internet brought you! You are so right. Find out who the buyer will likely be and tailor the house to their expectations.

Nov 11, 2011 06:32 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Anna ~ I loved reading your post about having a staging consult via Skype with a seller in Europe!  That is so great!!  It sounds like you were able to pinpoint the target buyer, which to me is one of the most important aspects of staging.  Good luck to your client in Denmark and I hope they sell quickly now that they've had your excellent advice.

Nov 11, 2011 01:16 PM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Janice, this was a great experience. Thanks for stopping by.

Maureen, Thank you , I think I am more exited than them because I was able to find a solution. The neighborhood I am mostly working in is the family oriented, so it's easy and kids bedroom are the must. It was interesting experience since I don't know the market and was not able to talk to their Agent. I wish they will listen. So far they was very cooperative and liked the new furniture placement. I will follow up with them next week. 

Nov 11, 2011 01:31 PM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

Well this is cool Anna! And knowing your buyer is sooooo key. Congratulations on the International business.

Nov 11, 2011 03:27 PM
Sara Garden
Rocky Mountain Home Staging - Boulder, CO
MBA, HSE, HSR, APSD, Home Stager

Wow Denmark! That's fantastic. How did she find you? I love your suggestions, most sellers never think about who the buyer is and what they might like. Such a missed opportunity when they don't.

Nov 12, 2011 05:30 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Thank you Shar.

Sara, thank you for stopping by. It was a referral, my website does pop up on the first page of Google in my area but it's not on Global level yet LOL

Nov 13, 2011 03:21 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

My marketing guru taught me demographics and target market. It was hard for me to believe that each condominium that I work with (there are 39 of them) have totally different demographics, and thus a totally different target market.

Nov 14, 2011 10:58 AM
Ana Hitzel
AccentPositives Home Staging - Corona, CA
Professional Home Stager Inland Empire

That is really awesome Anna, getting business from so far away!  You understanding the market is invaluable. I spent some time in Denmark many years ago.  I loved that most people seemed to live without too much STUFF!  They know how to make do with tight spaces.  Congrats on your far reach)

Ana

 

 

Nov 17, 2011 06:11 PM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Hi Jim, isn't this amazing how much easier things are going if you know the demographics. Thanks for stopping by.

Thanks Ana, in Europe people  do live much tighter and not that prodigal.

Nov 18, 2011 01:24 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Great advice!  Hopefully this client will be moving into her new home really soon!  We are going to have to start calling you International Anna!  Well done!

Nov 21, 2011 04:00 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Anna- isn't it wonderful that we have all of these tools to help us with our work.... Skype is just perfect for it.  And you're so right.. find out who the target buyer population will be.  WOW.. International Stager!

Nov 23, 2011 02:48 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Sharon, Kathy thanks for stopping by. I guess I can now put under my name Internationally Recognized Stager. It sounds huge, but really was not that hard to do.

Nov 23, 2011 04:38 AM
Mary Lou Teague
HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN
Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN

  Anna, how exciting doing a consult by skype, I also firmly beleive in finding out who your market is. I have done the same going in after another stager who had staged the home for a family, and I staged for a young professional female, and guess who bought the home ? A yound professional female who is a professor at University of Tennessee.. You have been highlighted for posting your story on STAGING STORIES, THANK YOU, Mary Lou Teague

Jan 02, 2012 01:08 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Mary Lou, thank you for featuring. Knowing the demographic is very important.

Jan 02, 2012 01:26 PM