Real Estate Blog - STAGING -- SHOULD IT BE A REQUIREMENT FOR A LISTING?

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STAGING -- SHOULD IT BE A REQUIREMENT FOR A LISTING?

There is no one more convinced than I am that staging must be a part of most re-sale homes at the time the listing is taken. That is especially true during times when the housing market is drifting toward an increasing number of unsold homes.

In fact, I am considering making staging a requirement for me to accept a home listing. I think all diligent Realtors should be evaluating this as well.

Last week, my friends W. Neil "Doc" Gallagher, his wife Gail, and I asked one of my two favorite stagers, Barie Pinnell, to let us listen in on one of her consultations...a consultation for two of my clients.

We all showed up about 7 PM, and Barie brought her voluminous and very specific presentation. After she showed each recommendation to us and told us the "why rational," she then took my clients through the house to make certain they were comfortable with how the home would be rearranged.

Barie's figures show that the average number of days homes that she stages are on the market is about thirty-one. Barie is an Active Rain member, by the way, and serves the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex through her WRE interior consulting firm.

<<<===The Home - 3150 Stone Creek, Grapevine

<<<===Gail and Doc Gallagher

(Doc Gallagher is known as the "Money Doctor")

Barie Pinnell, ASPM, Instructing Clients

The staging has now been completed. I'll let you know in a follow-up how many days transpire before we get an acceptable contract.

Finally, let me add one more comment. Staging is NOT interior decorating. Staging is visually showing the prospective buyer how their furniture can look swell in the home. Interior decorating is showing how swell YOUR furniture looks in the home.

In my opinion, a home decorated for the taste and convenience of the homeowner is a huge hindrance to selling that home to someone else. The more expensive the home, the more of a hindrance this becomes.

BILL CHERRY, REALTOR

214 503-8563

DALLAS

MY 43RD YEAR SELLING TEXAS

Posted by BILL CHERRY on 04/27/2008 11:25 PM

Comments (14)

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Originally posted at: BILL CHERRY'S GREATEST DALLAS PARK CITIES REAL ESTATE BLOG: STAGING -- SHOULD IT BE A REQUIREMENT FOR A LISTING?

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14 Comments on STAGING -- SHOULD IT BE A REQUIREMENT FOR A LISTING?

APR

2008

Hey Bill, I think that staging is smart, would Irequire anything of all of my clients, no, one size doesn't fit all and not everyone who goes to starbucks gets a drip coffee. People like things tailored to their needs, but I would suggest it.

A requirement eh? What kinda staging are you doing? bringing in furniture? having someone just give suggestions? Bringing in furniture costs thousands.. What if the homeowners cant afford it? Do you run across stagers who will let you pay after the closing?

Staging is important Bill. Sometimes I find it hard to convince clients to change anything. I try hard to convince them to take a more neutral approach.

Well, to you all. In the main, the stagers I use focus on how to arrange what's already there, what needs to be packed up and taken off the premises, what can be bought for a few bucks but will make a significant difference, and finally, if the client needs some extra furniture, the stager will rent it to them.

The house Barie did in the example I wrote about, only the client's furnishings were used, and they may have spent 200 bucks on some plants and a wall picture or two.

For the Realtor, it's very important because it increases the likelihood the house will sell, and sell quickly. There will come a time when agents will provide this service at it their own expense. Mark my words. Thos who resist won't be in business long.

Staging always helps - but how could it be mandatory? Someone has to pay for it - and you can't force a homeowner to pay for something they don't want to. And it's not another cost I'm willing to take on as an agent for every home I list.

Bill...I wish you had taken some before and after pictures! I'll look forward to the follow up!

Why did Doc go? Is he going to do a radio show about it?

Bill,

Staging the home with existing furnishing is a service that I provide for my listing clients. It is a $300 to $400 cost to me and a great investment in the sale. I insist on it. In our market (as in nearly all) a home must be perfect to outpace the competition. So yes, everything is staged. My stager takes great photos when she is done so I get a double benefit.

List and Sell (only perfectly staged homes) Gary @ RentonHomefinder

APR

2008

Bill, I agree that staging is important, the requiring of it is difficult, we make suggestions when we are photographing a listing for the MLS and let them know what sells and what doesn't! We advise them to declutter and define spaces using their existing furniture.

Bo- I'm not willing to devote my time to those who want to retain my services and then proceed to tell me how they expect me to do it. In the case of staging that leaves me with four scenarios: 1) I take the listing knowing it will be a difficult sale 2) the client pays for a stager and follows the stager's instructions 3) I pay for the stager and the client agrees to pay for the stager's services and to follow the stager's instructions 4) I pass on taking the listing.

Gary - Your experience has probably been what has made you comfortable in making that investment. I frankly don't see that it's any different than spending $300-$400 on advertising the darned house which rarely contributes to the sale.

Tony and Darcy- You have the best idea of how to sell staging palatably...hiting on it while you're photographing.

Miss Joanie - I do have some before and after photos. After the home closes, I'll ask if they mind me posting them here. I think it made a remarkable difference, by the way.

About Doc Gallagher

Doc's appearance here was for two reasons. The homeowners are longtime clients of Doc's. Once Doc takes on the responsibility as your financial adviser, he's very closely involved with you and your account.

Second, Doc is a former college professor. That mentality follows him, so he's always looking at and evaluating those things that could play a part in his recommendations to his clients. He wanted to see what staging was all about. By the way, he and Gail were very impressed.

Finally, I have no doubt Doc will explore staging on one of his radio programs.

MAY

2008

UPDATE:

We got a good contract on this home within ten days after the staging was completed.

Bill: Congrats! And to your answer, yes. I only take listings that are staged. It's the only way to become competitive.

Miss Loreena,

Congratulations! You're one smart cookie. You move to the head of the class while those who don't use staging tread water.

Bill

JUN

2008

I DON'T RECALL IF I TOLD YOU. AFTER BARIE MADE HER RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THE HOMEOWNERS FOLLOWED THEM, THE HOUSE HAD 4 OFFERS WITHIN A WEEK.

DON'T TELL ME THAT GOOD STAGING ISN'T AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT/REQUIREMENT OF TODAY'S LISTINGS.

BILL

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