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Do You Use a Professional Stager?

A couple years ago, I took the Staging class from Barb Schwarz. While the 2 day class was fabulous, and it did open my eyes to many ideas, I do not consider myself an expert Stager. My expertise is more in pricing, marketing, and getting the home sold, but I think a great Stager could work wonders. Here are my questions for all:

1. Have you ever used a stager?

2. Did they do more than a consultation? (I can do that)

3. Did the Stager do work in the home?

4. How were they paid?

5. Did it affect the sale, if so how? (I am sure you have some success stories!)

Posted by Mike Elliott on 02/25/2008 09:35 AM

Comments (5)

staging, home staging, mike elliott keller williams hamilton

5 Comments on Do You Use a Professional Stager?

FEB

2008

I am going to watch this one. I have been curious about home staging. I really think it has to work, but so many people are afraid to pay for it or I think that they expect the agent to do it.

Most sellers do no think they need it. I can say from experience is that it does make a difference, and is an investment worth the seller making.

FEB

2008

I am surprised that you haven't gotten more feedback here. In addition to being a real estate agent, I 'flip' homes (does that have a negative connotation yet?). I did have a home staged recently and was impressed by the difference that it made. My biggest motivation for doing so was that the house was obviously not well defined. Placing furniture in a few key rooms, really helped show that the Master BR was big enough and that the lack of wallspace in the LR could be overcome. Going forward, I think that I'll continue to evaluate this on a case-by-case basis.

FEB

2008

How about some feedback from a Stager...

Realtors call me (& use me) all the time. Most of my business has been through referrals from one Realtor to another.
Most Stagers will do consultations for a small fee; this is a great way to get an unbiased eye with the home owner present so they can see / hear what the Stager has to say. My company can actually handle upgrades such as tile/granite/lighting/fixtures/landscape/etc - just no major demolition please.
I'm a little confused by #3, I feel it goes along with #2 - at least in my company we're not afraid to get our hands dirty.
100% of my Stagings have been paid for by the Home Owner, even if it was the Realtor who suggested it and brought me in. However, on 1 home the Seller was reluctant to spend the money, so the Realtor offered to pay back $x to the Seller at the close of escrow. - BTW, Escrow closes next week after just 8 weeks on the market, 95% asking price.
My Staged homes are selling on avg. of 8-10 weeks from the date of Staging for at least 95% of asking price, even in this tough market in So. Cal.

Hope this helps!

Erik: Thanks for the feedback, i think the lack of response, IMO proves that maybe less than 5% of all agents have ever had a staging course or spoke with a stager. I know in NJ, less than 1% have an ASP designation.

Connie: #3 means that you did consultation for one fee, then you actually moved furniture, brought pieces in, maybe some "labor" for an extra fee.

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