So I know we all get staging jobs in a variety of fashions.  The one I was hired for yesterday (ok, the contract came in yesterday, we don't actually stage it until April 2) came about in a very strange fashion.  On Thursday I was at the mall shopping for a model home I stage on Tuesday.  A gentleman from the DC area had been referred to me by the furniture rental company.  YEAH! This is the first time that's happened... whew... this isn't the strange part however.  I went out to the property for an evaluation and price quote and faxed it off to him on Friday.  Yesterday he called me to discuss the numbers, what my vision was, etc.  He asked me a lot of questions about staging.  Then he told me something which I almost felt sick about.... (yes this is the strange part).  He asked the agent about staging the home BEFORE it was listed and the agent told him.... let's just wait and see how it goes..... Now several months have gone by, the property hasn't sold and the owner is looking for a new agent and a staging company.  Now mind you he lives in DC and I live in SC. 

The part that really bothers me is multi-layered.  1)  I actually have done an owner occupied consult with this agent.  Which by the way, the agent didn't feel any of my changes were necessary, the property never sold and the owners, after over 8 months of marketing, were forced to rent their $900K property when they moved in order to make ends meet. -- The cost of changes I proposed, $1500.  2)  I recently gave a presentation to the office that this agent works in.  While I will admit this was not one of my better presentations.  I had been getting over a sickness & in trying to counter balance my meds had taken WAY too much caffeinne, making me a little shakey.  I still felt that I had shown the benefits of staging.  3) This agent not only receives, but actually OPENS and CLICKS THROUGH my monthly newsletters on a fairly regular basis. 

Needless to say, I will be pleased as punch to not only stage this property but make sure that it gets sold as quickly as possible by recommending some of the top agents I work with.  I'm also hoping to use this particular home in my next monthly newsletter..... maybe she'll open and click through to see her missed opportunities....