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  1. Proof positive to sellers you are a proactive agent who gets properties SOLD not REDUCED!
  2. MLS Photos will attract more potential buyers to view your listings
  3. Simply decluttering, cleaning, fresh paint and adding a ficus tree doesn't cut it. Buyers want on trend colours and move in condition. Don't leave the paint colour selections to the seller or home depot!
  4. Professional RE Stylists broach the delicate subjects for you. No more talks about the 'dolls', wallpaper, taxidermy, odours, porn mags beside the toilet etc. OR no more ignoring these issues for fear of loosing the listing but having the confidence they will be dealt with and resolved making the property saleable.
  5. Knowing the clients will have someone else to contact and get help from to make the property listing ready in time for the first showings.
  6. Never again having to assure the client you can sell the property without their having to replace the 25 year old carpeting or the broken CAC.
  7. Never having to say or hear 'it's not in my clients budget' and 'we can't afford it'. With a professional stylist making recommendations and showing the difference between your clients property as is and the properties potential (along with the potential for a quick sale and more money)...you will be surprised at how sellers suddenly have a budget.
  8. Even a small budget can be directed appropriately, by a RE Stylist, at preparing the property rather than the 'staging'.
  9. Reputation among previous sellers as a LA who has a TEAM (we professionals bring with us a team of reliable trades) to HELP your sellers which will generate more referrals which generate more referrals, which generate more referrals...you get the picture.
  10. Reputation among agents as a successful LA within your own Brokerage but also within the local industry, generating potential for you to direct your own future within RE.

2 Hounds Design specializes in vacants as well as updating properties through minor renovations to maximize sellers profits and prepare their properties for market. We can provide qualified trades people, designer discounts on flooring, cabinets, counter-tops and paint products etc. 2 Hounds Design's primary market is Downtown Toronto however we also provide associates specializing in various GTA markets.

Dane Caldwell is the Lead Decorator - Stager with Toronto's 2 Hounds Design + Home Staging.

www.2-hounds.com

416-418-5919 - Call now to prepare your property for Downtown Toronto's Spring Real Estate Market.

2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - the IDEA resource

 

24 Comments on 10 Reasons To Recommend a Professional RE Stylist/Home Stager For ALL Your Downtown Toronto Listings

JAN
18
2008
102,914 Points

I just started using a Stager and I have to tell you it makes all the difference in a down market.

Take care!

RJH

7:01am • #1

Dane ~this is right on!  I really feel that a lot of the agents in Charleston are starting to get it.  We are staging a vacant next week and at first contact, the seller wanted to stage the home AND reduce the price.  He was already competitively priced and we asked him to please meet with us first before reducing so he can see what we offer, both in staging and MARKETING after we stage.  He has decided not to reduce the price and the agent is very thankful.  One of the biggest "positives", I feel, is simply the updated pictures after staging - buyers are Internet savvy these days and that is where they usually start their buying process.

I have to ask...porn mags???  I am not sure what I would say to a client about that!  LOL. 

7:02am • #2
14 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
I clicked to read your blog because of "RE Stylist" great word to mean stager/staging!!  Love it!
7:07am • #3
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Congratulations Robert, I'm so pleased your enjoying the benefits of a stager!

 

7:19am • #4
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Tracy good job! Yeah, the mags...some men...err...like their 'reading material' in the bathroom!

7:19am • #5
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Kim, thanks! Most of us here agree it is the best word to describe what we do.

7:21am • #6
1 Featured Post
Dane,  All true!  Hiring a stager keeps the Realtor from being the bad guy and having to broach uncomfortable topics with their clients.  It has also been my experience that home sellers tend to listen more to the professional stager as well when they suggest improvements.
7:39am • #7
493,638 Points 222 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
RE Stylist?...interesting. First time I've heard that term used. How about Housedresser? Does it come with a 'Cut & Rinse?' Just kidding....I've been networking with several of our area Stagers/Stylists. I've had them come to our office and give classes. We have a HUGE regional all-day training event in February, and one of them (also an AR member) is doing a presentation.
9:10am • #8
Dane- good points.  Some people I've run into don't get it.  To add on to Tracy's point about updating pictures.  I know of a listing that has been on the market for probably 6 mos.  A few months ago they had the home staged and it looks a lot better.  However, it is still on the market and the realtor never updated the MLS photos.  What a missed opportunity!
9:52am • #9
Great post!!! Home Staging is just a learning curve for some real estate professionals, once they get it, they really get it! Keep those post coming.
9:38pm • #10

Dane,

 

Excellant points, couldn't have stated it better.  A satged home is a must in a market like this and R.E. Agents and homeowners have to understand the benefits our industry can offer.

Heather Klein - Emmy & Me Interiors

10:03pm • #11
JAN
19
2008
177,572 Points Outside Blog

 I have found more homeowners to be on board with professional staging than realtors.  Still looking for ways to team up with realtors & your post makes some great points.

Kathy

4:46pm • #12
JAN
20
2008
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog
You are so right Sandra. I've also found I am able to convince the homeowners who are not quite sure they need help that they do. I've come to realize I can't (nor should I) rely on REA to get the owners to agree to a consult. Put me in front of the homeowner and we are staging.
10:20am • #13
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Rich that is great. I've found we are much more likely to get across to the LA's our value when it is one-on-one.
10:22am • #14
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Marla, let me guess: it was the homeowner who brought in the home stager. Sounds like they needed to fire the LA and find one who really was interested in getting the property sold rather than just getting the listing.

One of the reasons I take my own photos is to make sure the property gets seen and more importantly *noticed* on the mls by the buyers. Seems like some LA are still in the dinosaur age thinking only they view the photos on mls and not the buyers. Too bad for the owners trying to sell...but then I always say, the owners are as responsible to get the property sold:

  1. by preparing the property or having someone (us) prepare the property
  2. by finding the *best* realtor to hire

So many homeowners, as well, just don't get it. Which I'm sure many LA here on AR will agree. (I hope!)

What do you get with a seller who doesn't do their homework and a LA who doesn't do there job?

A stale listing.

10:29am • #15
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Kathy, seems we are both in the same boat. All my clients are the homeowners. Not once has a Realtor brought me in, referred a stager or even suggested a stager to their clients!
10:33am • #18
Love your post Dane.  I'm sold on Stagers and as I always tell my clients, they are putting on a performance and need to have everything just right to engage the audience.  Only a stager/stylist can do that. 
12:19pm • #19
2 Featured Posts
Great post.  I love the name "Professional Re Stylist!" 
4:56pm • #20
JAN
21
2008
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Marg, have you sent your stager an invite to AR? She'd love it...and it would help you with points!

 

8:24am • #21
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Kristina, thanks! I like the Stylist too. :)

8:24am • #22
Hi Dane, would you mind if I used this list when talking with Realtors?  You have a great way articulating the key issues!
8:21pm • #23
JAN
22
2008

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Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging

Toronto, ON

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