I get a call today around 4pm from Mr. Homeowner, who I thought lived in Virginia. He says, "Hey Bevin! Its me, Mr. Homeowner, I just walked into my house and all your furniture is still here!"
I say, "Yes, the staging is still there. Is there a problem?"
Mr. Homeowner, "Yeah, I'm moving back! Didn't my agent tell you? And why is the house staged, I didn't pay for it?"
Long pause, as I am processing what he just said...
Me, "Your agent paid for another month's rent. She planned to continue the staging until the home sold. What do you mean you are moving back?!"
Mr. Homeowner, "Yep, I'm back and my stuff is getting delivered at 8am tomorrow morning!"
WHAT?!?! What in the heck am I supposed to do now at approx. 4:15 pm on Thursday? Ok, stay cool, you're a stager, you can move mountains!
Me, "Ok. Just let me make a few phone calls. I'll get it fixed."
I call my regular mover - he doesn't answer. Even if he did, did I really think he was going to be able to un-stage the home for me right now? Or, before 8am tomorrow morning? Well, it couldnt hurt to ask, right?
Next call, of course, to Melissa and our assistant Sue. I explain the situation, as fast as I can, and ask if they are available to move a home - with a lot of furniture in it - tonight? Like, right now?!
No problem! Sue even had the brilliant idea of renting a UHAUL (duh!), instead of making 5 trips in 3 separate cars. My husband quits work a half hour early, picks up his dad's truck and off we head...for the emergency un-staging!
I call the homeowner to tell him it is under control and he will be able to move his furniture in tomorrow at 8am. He explains the "slight" miscommunication between him and his agent. He did not realize that she was paying for the staging past January. So, when he called her a few weeks ago and mentioned that he was probably moving back, but did not specify when...he did not know my furniture was still there. She thought he knew she paid to continue the staging, and would tell her when exactly he was moving back, so she could make proper arrangements...
We arrive at the home at approx. 6:30pm. The super nice homeowner had already taken down all the art, mantel accessories, bathroom accessories, grouped florals together, etc. making it very easy to un-stage. We leave with all our belongings around 7:30pm, head to the warehouse to unload. By 9pm, we are headed home!
Well, they were both extremely apologetic and nice as could be about the situation. No one was mad at anyone, especially since it got taken care of.
So, here I am at approx. 12:30 am (est), finishing up my 2 quotes from today's walk-throughs, and getting ready for my 8am appointment tomorrow...
Just another day in the life, right?
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