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YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT???

By Jackie Peraza

Home Stager with Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC

March 04, 2008 05:23 AM

Class....CLAAAAAASSSS!!!! Listen up! We have work to do!

Jeez, do you remember one of your teachers starting the day that way? I'm not sure what brought that image to mind - it must have been when I saw these definitions actually written out:

Observe - (verb)

to inspect, to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment
to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts
to take notice

Discern - (verb)

a: to detect with the eyes; b: to detect with senses other than vision
to recognize or identify as separate and distinct (discriminate)

Definitions provided by Merriam-Webster Online

Have you noticed a trend here? I began this series with Power; the context I used it in was a verb. The two words listed above are also verbs. Verbs express action or modes of being. Believe it or not, this is going to be particularly important, because when you prepare your home for sale there are basics that really have to be addressed - this ain't no spectator sport. Your Realtor® can do what they do best to help you sell your home and you can get active on what you can do to help.

Of all the tools I have available to me as a professional home stager, I consider the two listed above to be the most valuable and important. Everything else I do flows out of observing and discerning. I don't want to write another top 10 list for home sellers - I want to share. So, here goes...

Homework:

Watch this video with music by Phil Collins, Take a Look Through My Eyes

As you're watching it, be aware of your surroundings.

Observe everything you can about the immediate space you're in. If it's too big for you, or it puts you in sensory overload, head for a smaller space like a closet or a cabinet; that's OK, because many of those closets and cabinets need attention too. Go ahead and notice the smallest of details and peek under things. Look up, down and around.

Discern with your senses and discriminate (it's really not always a bad word, I promise) and take written notes of what you find, the good (especially the good), the bad and the ugly.

Do you have an idea why I chose that particular video representation for this Blog post?

Have fun and remember............. You've Got Power!

Jackie

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Shirley Parks

Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX

Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Jackie..When I go for a first time visit with a potential seller my husband goes with me. I ask for permission for him to look around the property while I sit with the sellers and discuss the listing/sales presentation.

In case I may have missed something he then shares with me his observations about the property "thru his eyes" as a potential buyer. He does point out the good, bad and the ugly.

Nice infromative blog.

Mar 04, 2008 06:32 AM

Jackie Peraza

Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC - Framingham, MA

Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

Shirley - That's a terrific strategy that I'm sure benefits your clients. It's great that your husband is willing do be "buyers eyes" and your sellers are willing to allow him to be. Thank you for sharing that tip!

Mar 04, 2008 06:55 AM

Patrick Johnson

Windermere - Bellingham, WA

That is a great idea. Have you ever run into people who were not comfortable with your husband doing that?

Mar 04, 2008 07:41 AM

Patrick, My husband is retired and is my assistant and driver... LOL. Also, he has background in building appraisals. We visit with people first, create rapport, warm up, get comfortable with them, and view the property. Actually, people love it that I bring my husband along. We always end up making friends with my clients. I have never had anyone who wasn't comfortable with it... quite the opposite, they are appreciative.

Mar 04, 2008 08:27 AM

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Hello Jackie,
Just wanted to make you aware that I had a problem with the video skipping, stopping and starting (did not get completely through it because of that).
I like the message you are sending Sellers to "take a good look around them with their eyes and minds wide open". Good advice.

Mar 04, 2008 11:29 AM

Patrick - great question for Shirley and thanks for stopping in!

Shirley - Thank you for popping back in to answer Patrick's question :)

Cynthia - I think sometimes we see, but passively...this is much more active and requires energy. As you well know, buyers have their eyes wide open. :o)

I'm sorry you had difficulty with the video. I've checked it out myself and am not seeing the same problem. Hrrrmmm, I'm wondering if it was the connection? Thanks for letting me know, I'll keep an eye on it.

Mar 04, 2008 12:39 PM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Jackie, It's a wonderful post and I can feel when my space is not right. But most people need to really DISERN (great word) their own surroundings--and likely let go of things they no longer need or use. They really need to SEE and FEEL.

Mar 04, 2008 12:52 PM

Judi Morgan

RETIRED - San Antonio, TX

San Antonio, TX Real Estate

Jackie, I'm watching this very closely and taking notes. I like the approach you're taking.

I didn't have a probem with the video.

Mar 04, 2008 12:53 PM

Carole - We're going to get there, "let go of things...", but first things first :o)

I agree with you, seeing and feeling run hand in hand with me; I think it's part and parcel of observing and discerning - at least that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Judi - Oh good, the video is working fine then. Maybe it was just a glitch.

Notes on the post or on what you're noticing in your immediate space? Are you doing your homework? :o)

Mar 04, 2008 01:30 PM

Jackie, yes ma'am, taking notes in my immediate space (not pretty right now). And taing notes on the post. Doing my homework!!! :)))

Mar 04, 2008 01:35 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Jackie ~ nice post and it is so true. I work only with buyers and the way the perceive the homes is so interesting. Many even comment on whether a home is "happy" or "sad"! A lot is going on when buyers view a property. I think seller will find this blog very informative.

Mar 05, 2008 12:46 PM

Judi - Great, then we'll dispense with the pop quiz ;)

Joan- It is interesting the way buyers perceive houses, isn't it?! I think today's buyers are incredibly astute to the surroundings and are very active in their analysis of the properties they see vs. just a couple of years ago.

Mar 05, 2008 01:20 PM

YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT???

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