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Selling Your New Hampshire Home? Home Staging Consults Save Money

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

 

lipstick on a pigI was recently contacted by a homeowner whose house has been on the market for many months.  The house is vacant, and the sellers were thinking that staging it could help.  I don't carry an inventory of staging furniture, but I do provide consults for vacant properties.  If, after a consult I feel furniture will help, I assist in the selection of furniture (either buying or renting.)

After our brief conversation I went online to see the MLS pics of the home in question.

It was obvious to me why this property was not seeing much action.  The overall impression is not good.  There are only a few photos, and they are not flattering.  One of the pictures makes no sense at all.... a close-up of an unattractive feature.  

A few days later I got an email saying they were going to look into renting furniture and probably didn't need my help.

I emailed back that I had seen their MLS pictures and adding furniture was not the answer.  I told them that their money could be spent in other areas that would yield better results.  Adding furniture to the home, in it's present condition, would be a waste of their money.  (I'm thinking lipstick on a pig...) 

No reply.

It's so frustrating to see sellers spending their money on the wrong things.  For a lot less money than the cost of rental furniture, that house could be updated and made more appealing to buyers.

A Home Staging consult provides sellers with a plan of action....professional advice on where their money, time and effort will be best spent in order to present the most appealing product.  Every house is different and needs to be addressed individually.     

Selling your New Hampshire home?  Home Staging Consults save money! 

Comments(20)

Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

This is an age old story Sharon, obviously they know more than the professionals.....so their house will continue to sit on the market and not sell because they will continue to do it "their way".

May 23, 2013 08:53 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Sharon,

Many times sellers just don't get it. If they employed an agent who is taking few photos and the pictures are not good..they are sure not giving them the right advice on where to spend their money to make it the most appealing!! Sorry you couldn't help them..they would have benefited greatly from working with you.

May 23, 2013 08:54 PM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

You're so right to point out that our advice on how and where to invest whatever $$$ clients do have can really pay off.  I've declined Staging opportunities when sellers would not replace outdated fixtures, make repairs, paint, etc.  These kinds of changes need to be made - and THEN rent furniture, if budget allows.

May 24, 2013 12:22 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Sharon - the truth hurts but the pain is typically over quickly and does not linger for months.   

May 24, 2013 03:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Roger:   Adding furniture to a room that has dated, busy wallpaper with coordinating border is not the answer.  But, what do I know???

Dorie:  I could have made a huge difference.  There are some very basic improvements that I would have made the priority.  Oh well.

Julia:  "If budget allows" is one thing that sellers don't realize we take into consideration.  Our clients' budget is always the determining factor and having recommendations listed by priority is such a valuable asset that we provide.

Valerie:   The truth is that adding furniture will not make a difference if the room has dated features and wall covering.  Furniture placement was an issue.  Lack of pictures.  Quality of pictures.  Home Staging is far more than adding furniture.

Michael:  So true....and yet lingering on the market could feel like a lifetime.

May 24, 2013 05:56 AM
Marie Fox
Foxy Interiors Inc. Lake Mary Florida - Lake Mary, FL
Lake Mary, Florida, Home Stager & RE Photographer
Sharon so many people thing staging is just furniture, art and accessories. It's unfortunate because fifty percent is the preparation. I know you would have been able to help. Perhaps when their home continues to linger you'll hear from them again.
May 24, 2013 11:03 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Sharon I'm glad you told them your honest, professional opinion.  They will likely STILL be on the market unless they're willing to listen to a home staging EXPERT!!  With wallpaper in place, it's obvious they're taking the lazy option ... renting furniture.  Oh well, we can't convince everyone of the truth.  NEXT!!

May 24, 2013 11:51 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Sharon, I am so with you on this one-sometimes it is really frustrating and just like putting lipstick on a pig, or in your case, a head of lettuce-their loss in more ways than one!

May 24, 2013 11:58 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale
Sharon-It is interesting how sometimes free advice from an experienced source is dismissed to the detriment of the Seller.
May 24, 2013 02:45 PM
Mark Horan
Resident Team Realty, LLC & Toni's Property Management LLC - Saint Cloud, FL
"The Resident Chef" - Resident Team Realty LLC &

Sharon, great insight and sellers know best. I do like the fact you mentioned pictures. I feel that the photo presentation is the least a seller should receive from their marketing Realtor. So many Realtors just present homes so poorly because A, they don't invest in their trade and buy a good camera, and B they are lazy. As you can see, this point bristles my neck. Have a great weekend and do something FUN!

May 25, 2013 02:57 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Sharon - It's so frustrating when sellers won't listen to good, sound advice.  I can't imagine what type of furniture they'll be renting on their own, too.  Sounds like they have absolutely no idea regarding good presentation.

May 26, 2013 02:33 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Sharon, why is it some sellers want the advice of professionals, but DO NOT take it!  They will soon realize your advice was right on.

May 26, 2013 06:58 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Marie:  The term "staging" has to be one of the most misinterpreted concepts.  It all boils down to preparation and presentation.

Maureen:    My evaluation was based on the few pictures I saw.  I have to imagine the rooms that weren't shown needed work too.  I would have enjoyed transforming this house....but as you say...."next!"

Joanna:   I would never recommend work that would cost the seller money without a good return.  When I see them considering an action that will cost them money and NOT improve their odds of finding a buyer, I let them know.  It's up to them from there.

Wayne:  I can see where someone could be suspicious that the source of the free advice is just trying to get their foot in the door for the job.....this was certainly not the case for me.

Mark:  I don't know why there are so few pics.  As I said, the quality was not good.....presentation was lacking.  The agent is left looking very unprofessional on this one.

Sally:  There are not many rental options in this area.  It's a real problem whenever I have a client who needs furnishing.

Rebecca:  It's like the woman who asks "does this dress look good?" and then doesn't like the reply, LOL!

 

 

 

 

May 27, 2013 12:49 AM
Wendy Tomm
Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB
CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors

Sharon I too find it frustrating when clients pay for the a professional consultaton and don't want to invest any more on improvements.  I have said many times (like your photo says)...the lipstick on the pig...Let's just say...there are all kinds and these will never get it.

Jun 01, 2013 11:38 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Wendy:  Some sellers just have to learn the hard way.  

Jun 02, 2013 04:29 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Sharon~ It's difficult when you are making a good recommendation that's falling on deaf ears! What do you know, you are just the professional.

Jun 18, 2013 11:04 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Donna:  Thankfully most of my clients have been very cooperative and follow my suggestions, many times to the letter!  It's that occasional stubborn client that makes my job frustrating.

Jun 19, 2013 12:41 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sharon, you make some valid points - a staging could save a huge price reduction, and sellers should review this option!

Aug 17, 2013 11:11 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Joan:  Thank you!  Maybe with enough conversation on the subject, sellers will come around!

Aug 18, 2013 01:03 AM