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The Dream of Real Estate

By
Home Stager with Decor Designs, Inc.

The Dream of Real Estate

We've all heard that people buy emotionally and justify logically.  Just watch how companies use this to their advantage as they advertise products and services.  Some ads never even seem to mention what's being sold.  If you're a frustrated seller in today's real estate market, listen up!

To sell real estate quickly and for maximum profit, especially in a difficult market, is as much about selling the "dream" as it is about selling the house itself. 

If you are selling your house, I hope you have or are looking for a Realtor that is talented at selling the dream too.  A superior Realtor knows how to get potential buyers to picture actually living in the house.  Are they starting a family, spending time with loved ones, entertaining friends or enjoying holiday festivities?  Ultimately, the goal is for buyers to emotionally bond with the property before a single box is even moved. 

Back up a minute though.  A Realtor isn't going to be able to paint this kind of picture with a house that still screams it's somebody else's HOME!  Selling the dream means setting the stage.  And as your local Staging Expert, I know staging is what it's all about!  The way your home is staged (the way it is decorated for the purpose of selling) helps sell the dream and create an emotional bond for buyers the minute they walk in the door.

My clients are surprised to hear that buyers often make their decision about a house within 10-15 seconds of walking in the front door.  Because first impressions are lasting ones, you can bet I pay a lot of attention to what a house is saying in these first crucial moments.

I know Realtors will gladly give you tips for making your house market-ready.  But, I also know that most Realtors aren't interested in the down-and-dirty aspects of rearranging furniture, painting, organizing and de-cluttering a listing.  While experienced Realtors are skilled at knowing what sells and what doesn't, they also have to be careful not to offend clients or risk losing a listing by starting the relationship on a too negative note.

As a Professional Real Estate Stager, however, doing my job right doesn't mean tiptoeing around a client.  I'm not doing anyone favors by sugarcoating or ignoring obvious problem areas.  But, I will make sure that the key selling features of a client's home aren't overlooked or ignored.  And I'll always explain how to accentuate a house's natural selling-points while enhancing its visual appeal for the largest group of potential buyers.

Nationwide, staged homes statistically generate higher offers and spend less time on the market.  Staged homes also stand out from the competition making them more memorable and sellable in a saturated market.

Staging is no "magic bullet"!  It's just one aspect of a successful real estate transaction.  You should always remember that the sale of your house is dependent on four key factors.  They are realistic pricing, seductive staging, Realtor persistence and  homeowner involvement, not necessarily in that order.  One weak link could greatly reduce the chances of a successful sale.

So, be prepared to work with a good Realtor to correctly price and market your house to the largest group of prospective buyers.  Don't waste precious months with a lack-luster listing only to realize that more time and effort should have been paid getting the house in model-like condition from the start. 

If you've decided to sell, I know you're excited to move and start fresh in a new home.  Why not help create that excitement for your potential buyers?  A sign in the front yard and fresh flowers on the kitchen table just won't cut it in today's market.  Whether selling with a Realtor or By Owner, I guarantee, professional staging (or at the very least a detailed staging assessment) can get you off to a great start making sure that you are selling the "dream". 

Comments (2)

Anonymous
Jan Whitlow Home Staging Professional Master

Jeffrey,

Let me know the final outcome of this research.  I do a combination of things to reach a price.  I must say currently it is market driven as people are holding on to much of their $$$.  In my business the seller determines the budget although I will always give them my highest, best recommendations for Staging their home.

Never by sales price!  Never given out unless I see the property first.

Considerations:

  • ease of access (high rise building - etc) directly affects time on the job
  • time & assistants I will need to pay to complete the job in one day - per hour wage
  • 3 rooms to be Staged
  • degree of Staging (vignette to full Staging)
  • PROFESSIONAL move cost ( I will not use my "neighbor" ONLY use professinal movinging companies)
  • my time per hour

I do not include my packing time or design time for vacants.  And I do not up charge the other service providers I may recommend - painters, installers, etc.

Does this help?  Make sense?

Aug 29, 2008 12:43 AM
#1
Anonymous
Jan Whitlow Home Staging Professional Master

It should be # of rooms to be Staged NOT 3 ...

Aug 29, 2008 12:45 AM
#2