Several months ago, I signed up to receive "listing alerts" when a new home in my area is listed on the MLS. I set aside a couple of hours each week to look at the internet photos, and send out an email to the Realtors if the property looks like it could use some staging. I'm sure this is something that a lot of us do. I know that ALL of the MLS photos won't be perfect, but I get so upset, and quite frankly, a little TWISTED, that I just stare at my computer screen in DISBELIEF! Are Realtors AND Homeowners LOOKING at these photos with BUYER'S EYES? From what you see in so many of these photos, I would have to say NO!
It amazes me that something so obvious is being overlooked by so many! I know, I know! Obvious to a professional home stager, but not to the "un-objective" eye. As a Realtor, why on earth would you think for one minute that creative property descriptions will bring a herd of buyers DESPITE a horrible FIRST IMPRESSION? For that matter even a handful! As a Homeowner, why on earth would you think that a perfect stranger, a buyer, is going to beat your door down, and fall in love with a dark, dated, cluttered room? Or your lovely purple window sheers? Then there are those "updated" and "move in ready" vacant homes! You know the ones with blank white walls, and the sterile space that has absolutely no defining features.
I recently came across some statistics that show an increase of buyers looking on the internet for their next home. It is now estimated that 87% of these consumers are looking for their dream house on line. This is just one reason why we must keeping moving forward in our crusade to make home staging an industry standard.
I know this is an ongoing problem for all of us. I also know that staging is making a "mark" in the industry. I just get really frustrated when I look at these horrible representations of a property that has so much potential. So my plea to Realtors, Brokers, Homeowners, Builders, Investors, FSBO, or ANYBODY selling a home, PLEASE understand that INTERNET PRESENCE is critical when marketing a home for sale!
I will continue my quest to save the world through my God given staging talent, and hopefully one day these icky photos will become a distant memory. Please forgive my ranting and raving! :-) I have included a few samples of "updated, cheerful, move-in ready, light and bright" MLS photos for the Cleveland, OH area. Let me say in advance that if any of these are your listing, I don't mean any disrespect, but PLEASE call me....I CAN HELP!
Teresa
If you need a Professional Home Staging Consultant to help prepare your home for sale, or a Realtor who has "difficult" properties to market in the Cleveland/North Olmsted, OH area, call Looking Fine by Redesign, LLC. "Let's get it SOLD...Together!"
E-Mail: teresa@Lookingfinebyredesign.com
Teresa Mills Schremm, Staging Consultant Phone: 440-655-5831
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