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HEY! Some Of My Best Friends Are Staging Professionals!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate 303829;0225082372

HEY!  Some Of My Best Friends Are Staging Professionals!!

In a very nice THANK YOU posted by Kristine Ginsburg, a talented staging pro and artful photographer in Morris County, NJ, Kristine mentioned that I had commented on her post, probably in a "less than complimentary" manner.

Why, why, why would I be less than complementary?   While I don't specifically recall that blog post or my comment, I'm fairly sure I commented as Kristine recalls.  Why I would have commented as I did.

I'M A MOTHER HEN WHEN IT COMES TO REAL ESTATE AGENTS AND REAL ESTATE BROKERS.

I do recognize staging pros in my own market.  I look at many homes for sale and when I see a well staged home, I may leave a note on my card.  Or, if I meet a staging pro at a BOR meeting, I enjoy a nice conversation with them.  STAGED BY DESIGN is a local staging company.  It was easy to identify the staging pro at a meeting at the Dulles Area Association of Realtors.  The display was very well STAGED. 

                     Staged by Design

STAGED BY DESIGN
Leigh Newport
Staged-by-Design.com

                                 

My comment on Kristine's post, was probably in response to content that stressed the value of staging a home so that it will "SELL FASTER AND FOR MORE MONEY".  That's a fine statement or claim.  However, if no credit is given to the real estate professional who lists the property for sale, I often wonder why the hard work of the listing agents and is so often ignored. 

From what I understand, many staging companies derive most of their business from REALTORS or real estate agents/brokers.  If that is so, why is not more credit or at least recognition given the real estate pro who helps that staging pro??  I wouldn't expect that recognition on a staging company's web site, but surely from time to time in a blog post some mention of the contribution of the REALTOR would be nice.

YOU CAN'T PERSUADE THOSE UNDERWRITERS that staging is worth Thousands of Dollars.  Being the purist that I am, my position is that, if the property isn't priced right, no about of staging is going to sell an over priced listing of a home for sale.  Further, even it it does go to contract, it isn't likely to appraise unless that buyer has a sound loan.  The government regulations, underwriting

I've read some blog posts by staging pros what tout the many things they do to sell that house for "the highest price in the shortest amount of time" and I just wonder. 

IF STAGING IS THAT CRITICAL, WHY EVEN LIST THE PROPERTY FOR SALE.  Just stage it and put it in Craigslist. 

Give a little credit to the real estate pro who has probably:

Gone to real estate school.
Completed extensive continuing education annually.
Advertised their services to consumers.
Presented listing proposals to the owner/seller.
Prepared a detailed Competitive Market Analysis.
Recommended a pricing structure designed to sell the property.
Prepared and executed an extensive marketing plan for the home for sale.
Possibly recommended the staging company.
Possible held Open House.
Installed the Yard Sign.
Prepared fliers and brochures and possibly videos of the home for sale.
Entered the property in the MLS (paid to maintain membership).
Negotiated the Contract of Sale
Managed the Home Inspection, etc.
Attended the settlement meeting.
More, more, more.


When the home sells and the staging professional writes about it, it would be nice to see a note about the contributions of the listing agent.

THE MOTHER HEN IN ME WANTS THE REALTORS TO GET SOME CREDIT FOR A JOB WELL DONE.

Free CMA    Sign   Sold

 

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Comments (13)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Lenn.... the eye buys.... if a home is staged, it makes our job that much easier.... it DOES get the seller top dollar....and this is true for new and resale homes....we've had model homes without furniture and it's a tough sell.... when it's dressed to the 9's, it's easy.

May 03, 2012 02:21 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Thanks Barbara.  I appreciate a tastefully staged home.  That said, the REALTOR is essential too.

 

May 03, 2012 02:29 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Personally, I'm so tired of staging professionals touting how quickly staged homes sell...without giving quantitative proof. If it's just an opinion, fine...state that.

I like staged homes but staging is only one of many variables that have to come together to get a home sold.

May 03, 2012 02:29 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Richard.  You are smarter than the average bear. 

Over the years, I've mellowed regarding staging but I still maintain, if you had to choose one service, staging or listing in the MLS, which would an owner select.

HA!

May 03, 2012 02:46 AM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Lenn - "no amount of staging is going to sell an over priced listing of a home for sale" - truer words were never spoken. I've had clients who thought about uping the price after I staged their home. I told them that wold be the worst mistake they could do for the reason you stated above. More than half my business comes from hard working, talented Realtors and I have nothing but respect for all that they do to sell a home including hiring me to stage it. Like Richard said, staging is but one variable in helping a home sell, but price and location always come first. Thanks again for all your help and sharing your wisdom - you're a class act all the way!

May 03, 2012 04:17 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Thanks Kristine.  You're a valued friend.  Your new web site is beautiful and is ranking wel. 

May 03, 2012 04:22 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Selling a home is a collaborative effort on the part of everyone involved. EVERYONE has to do a good job or that home just won't sell.

May 03, 2012 04:48 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Craig.  BINGO!  That includes the seller and buyer.

May 03, 2012 05:07 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Lenn,

Well you have got all the bases covered now! I'm a firm believer that staging makes a difference in my listings selling. I have priced them right and given them excellent coverage so with all that going for them..they should sell!!

May 03, 2012 07:02 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Dorie.  I'm sure they do.  The staging is the icing on the cake.

May 03, 2012 07:07 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Staging is a great thing if the home seller can afford it, but price, conditions and terms are what sell the property.  Marketing and showing condition are what bring the buyers through the door :)!  It all works together.  

Great post about you by the way.  You are always helpful to us here in AR and I thank you for that too :)!

May 03, 2012 11:17 AM
Leigh Newport
Staged by Design® - Leesburg, VA
Northern Virginia Home Staging

Lenn-

I so enjoyed meeting you at DAAR a few weeks ago. Thank you for featuring me here in your post! I wholeheartedly agree with the comments about the relationship between the stager and agent as a partnership in the truest sense of the word. We both have the same goal; to help the client by selling the house quickly by presenting a product that is appealing to the potential buyers. I strive to achieve a desirable look in the home that agents are proud to show off to both their buyers and their peers.

 

 

May 03, 2012 12:40 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Brenda.  Thanks.  Price, terms and condition indeed.  In fact, the staging isn't even seen until the prospective buyers are in the property. 

Leigh.  Thanks for stopping by.  Indeed.  Selling the house quickly is a common goal.

May 03, 2012 07:46 PM