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Staging Makes a Difference

Recently I read a post where one realtor commented to another realtor that - just because they market houses differently, doesn't mean one way is a wrong way. (One didn't recommend or use staging)

A common question is - does every home need to be staged? The answer is yes! One home may need more attention than another, but to present a home to market - staging is a necessity.

Staging can make a difference in how a buyer feels when they tour.

Staging can make a difference in what the buyer sees when they tour.

Staging can make a difference in what the buyer focuses on when they tour.

Staging can make a difference in what the buyer smells when they tour.

Staging can make a difference in what the buyer offers after the tour.

Staging can make a difference in when the buyer makes an offer.

Staging can make a difference in if the buyer makes an offer.

Staging can make a difference in whether a buyer decides to look at the home at all.

And for the agent who doesn't think every home could benefit from staging...

Staging can make a difference in how the seller feels about their agent.

Staging can make a difference in what the seller sees the agent do to sell their home.

Staging can make a difference in what the seller thinks their agent is doing to sell their home.

Staging can make a difference in what the seller tells others about their agent.

Staging can make a difference in whether or not the seller will refer their agent.

Staging can make a difference in whether or not the home is sold.

How can an agent benefit from recommending staging to their sellers?

Staging can make a difference in the amount of money the agent spends to market the home.

Staging can make a difference in the amount of commission the agent will make when they sell the home.

Staging can make a difference in the way the agent can market them selves to sellers.

Staging can make a difference in the amount of listings they have.

Staging can make a difference in they way they obtain leads.

Staging can make a difference in whether or not they list with you.

Staging Makes a Difference.

Posted by Cari Pilon, RE:STYLE Home Staging on 01/12/2008 05:17 PM

Comments (20)

home staging, real estate staging, marketing homes, smart staging

This post has been included in Michigan Information Livingston County, MI Information Brighton, MI Information
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...

20 Comments on Staging Makes a Difference

JAN

2008

For the most part I agree with you except that every home needs to be staged. Generalizations are never a good thing in my opinion.

I mean I'm not going to stage a home that reeks of cat pee and that is meant as an investor purchase, or a home with no foundation that can only be purchased with cash.

I have also been in homes where the homeowners have exceptional mainstream taste and have "staged" the home on their own, by sheer good taste. Most homes would benefit from staging, but not ALL homes.

Some good points for staging. Unfortunately not all seller will go for it

Well said Cari and in a very concise easy to read list that consumers and Agents can quickly comprehend.

JAN

2008

Nice words Cari! What a lot of realtors may not know is that the home seller who contacts us, often wonders why their real estate agent (whom the homeowner may not be so happy with if their home has not sold quicker than they want..regardless of the slow market) has not recommended Home Staging from the START. Believe me, we hear more frustration than you realtors want to know about.

The good Home Stagers are here to help EVERYONE. Hiring a Home Stager is one of the best things you can do for yourself/your home/your client and your sale...so be smart and hire a good home stager in your area. Do not wait for them to find you!

When the homeowner sees the results of Home Staging...and the realtor realizes the value ($$$$) the Home Stager has brought to the sale, there will be more happy sales for the homeowners and the realtors!

Hire a Home Stager for the reasons Cari outlined above...and you will be happy you did! Regards-Kathleen G

Very good points, Cari. Thanks for posting.

GREAT post Cari you are soo right. As a staging Realtor I "get it" and feel the value added to my client is measureable.

Hi Melina, okay, you got me there...I shouldn't generalize. But you shouldn't dismiss the prospect of doing some form of staging on the cat pee house or the investor house. Let's say the investor was only willing to spend $XXX, because of the condition of the home. Wouldn't it be possible if the seller removed clutter, cleaned up garbage, washed the chalk outline off the floor (LOL) wouldn't it be plausible that the investor may make a bigger offer? Maybe the home wouldn't sit for so long before someone came to see it? All the things I mention are free to do, so why wouldn't someone put forth a little effort?

Other things to consider regarding staging, maybe the no foundation house sat on a hilltop with an awesome view. Staging would help buyers notice that view - they would want that property, nevermind the house, let the bidding begin!!!

And for the nicely decorated home... keep in mind, just because it is decorated nicely doesn't mean it is staged right. Does their decor make the fireplace stand out? Do you notice the granite counter tops as soon as you walk into the kitchen, does their decor make the buyer want that house? They may not have anything bad to say when they leave, but good decor doesn't mean it is properly staged.

Joel and Theresa, my main point is staging can make a difference and those not suggesting, not reccommending or not providing staging for thier clients are doing a disservice. If a staging consultation was provided as part of their listing package, everyone wins. You provide it for every one of your clients because it is part of your marketing plan. No hurt feelings, no discriminating against houses and the potential to make more money and sell the home faster.

Hi Cari, very good post. I do believe that sometimes people are not clear on what staging truly is...it's not just enhancement staging (bringing in furnishings and accessories). True staging is all aspects of getting the property ready for market. It's producing a product that a agent would be proud to launch. Yes, everyone, I MEAN EVERYONE, has a budget. We hear it every time we go on a consultation - I don't think any of us have every heard the lovely words "I don't care how much money you need to spend do it" We always consider the budget and what the homeowners are willing to do or not in our consultations and staging efforts. If there is a cat pee smell then your stager will know how to help that go away. If they have wonderful taste that is great, but often there are still too many items in the homes or the closets need attention. Let's look at that garage and don't forget the personal photos.

Great points, Cari & I like your format!

Kathy

Karen, Thank you although it doesn't seem like many comprehend does it?

Kathleen, Isn't it the truth? Homeowners are more aware today then they were a year ago. With all the shows on TV they see that they have to do something! I like your line - "be smart and hire a good home stager in your area. Do not wait for them to find you!"

Michelle, if anyone needs proof of hiring (or reccommending) a stager take a look at Michelle's last home. And it was under contract in what Michelle? One day? I don't know... do you think Staging made a difference????

Right Kym, everyone has a budget and we do the best we can with in that budget - but doing nothing is not an option. Here's some homework everyone - take a look in your closet, if you were selling your home would you leave it like that or clean it up? Unfortunately, there are people who choose to leave it like that even though space and storage are important factors to buyers.

Terrylynn, I know you get it, thank God for people like you. Here, take a lesson from Terrylynn, maybe this can shed some light on the subject.

Thank you Kathy, and thanks for taking the time to comment.

Staging makes living in a home that is being shown much easier.

Selling is stressful and we stagers take some of that off your shoulders.

I have seen many homes that were nicely decorated that really needed a stager's touch - too much, wrong placement, too bold, heavy custom drapes obscuring the view & on & on. It is nicely decorated for how they choose to live, but too personal for prospective buyers.

JAN

2008

Thanks for your post Cari! Selling a home is stressful, and home stagers alleviate that stress. However, in my sales experience, not everyone is going to want what we have. And that's fine. This is where we educate the homeowner (or the realtor for the homeowner) about the benefits of home staging and how it makes their sell easier. We need to reach the homeowner, the builder, the owner or the decision-maker to spend the money.

People I've talked to still ask what home staging is which makes me realize we have a ways to go...

Diane Concialdi www.dcredesign.com

Cari,

Thanks for this post. I like the easy-to-read format. I have to ask this, have we stagers collectively educated our audience well enough that we tailor our work to fit every price range? I wonder if the media conveys that enough? I agree in any market rare is the home could a NOT use a little staging. When someone differs on that point, I wonder why?

Are they thinking staging is ONLY about bringing in a load of rental accessories and furniture?

Are they forgetting about the CONSULTATION that advises people what they can (and SHOULD) do on their own to get better showings?

Are they thinking that the investment of $100-$300 consultation fee is too much?

Are they forgetting that how the home photographs for the internet is more important than ever?

Kathleen,you are so right. I too have gone on consultations for the "well decorated home" only to find a HUGE glass case with a HUGE doll collection in it. (They were all looking at me! LOL) there were other things too like how every piece of furniture in the home was pointed directly at the TV as if that was the best feature! What about the beautiful window that spanned the entire wall? A million dollar home I might add...

Diane, we do have a ways to go, we just take it day by day. That is why I am thankful for RESA and SIF because it puts us one step closer...

Paula, one thing to note too is that not all stagers are alike. I have heard of some who will not take the job if the entire house is not going to be staged. My company focuses on the solututions to the issues the seller faces. If the biggest issue in the house is flooring or a dated kitchen and that is where the client needs to spend their money, then so be it. They may not have implemented those changes if it weren't for me telling them to.

Yes I believe that there are different "phases" to what could be called "Staging". You cannot put lipstick on a pig, so those issues need to be addressed first before anything else.

Cari - I just did a vacant consultation that ended up being more like a home inspection. Unless those issues are addressed some paint, furniture and the like will not make that big a difference. They will probably do some of the repairs I mentioned and sell it as is. I feel good about it and really feel that they got their money's worth on that consultation. Their Realtor for the past 4 months never mentioned a thing. The only footprints in the snow there this winter were mine.....hmmmmm = no showings.

"Lipstick on a pig" - cute