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
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.
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