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When Homeowner's Know MORE than Their Realtor

A couple of months ago one of my fantastic Realtors called me in for a consultation on a couple's home in Concord, Ca. They only wanted a consultation/report as the wife wanted to do the work herself.

I did my report and wished them well and went on my way.

A few weeks back I received a call from Nancy "the wife" and she said that they were helping an uncle put hits home in San Francisco and tha it had been on the market for two months with 100's of people through and no offers. Not even slight nibbles/interests nothing!

Even in a market that is not moving much San Francisco is still a hot spot, so when a house is not moving there is something wrong!

I met Nancy at the vacant property that was completely empty and looked so very small. It was typical SF home with multiple stories and nice backyard. It had a remodeled kitchen and bath and it was at a very good price.

Nancy asked me to stage it even though her Realtor and husband didn't think it was a good idea and not worth the investment.

We staged it on Wednesday, it was sold by Friday. We went and picked up our inventory and Nancy met us at the house to thank us and help us destage! I walked up to her and the first thing I said was "Does your husband and Realtor think you are Brilliant?" She laughed and said, "yes, they certainly do :)

Kym Hough's www.Staged-to-Sell.com serving the entire San Francisco East Bay and beyond. Visit us online and at www.StagersLIST.com.

Posted by Kym Hough, Home Staging Professional CSP, RESA, Danville, CA on 09/05/2008 07:55 PM

Comments (32)

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32 Comments on When Homeowner's Know MORE than Their Realtor

SEP

2008

Don't we all just love those really smart and savvy sellers. Great work Kym!

You bet Ginger...fortunately I get lucky most of the time. Kym

Great story, Kym!!! Realtors! Homeowners! Do you want people to think you are brilliant? Then hire a stager! And, if you are in her area, HIRE KYM and you really will be brilliant!

Kym: I'm so glad it worked out this way. Your client really picked up on all the talent and know-how you bring to the party. She is brilliant!

There is always someone who knows more than we all do isn't there? LOL

I am not a stager, and I am often caustous about staging. However, the problem that we often have is that people generally are not able to understand the size. Empty rooms do not look bigger when there is no furniture, they look smaller, and when there is no point of reference... ften the buyer would say that the MB is too small, and you may think that she just want a bigger MB, so you go to another property.

We had a couple looking at a brand new condo. The lady looked at Master bedroom and said her furniture would not fit. She thought that when the bed is there, there would be no enough space to walk around.

After they got their furniture, she was laughing that not only all her furniture fit there perfectly, and not only there was enough space between the bed and the wall, but she had a dresser there and there still was enough space.

Staging helps get the perspective, see how it would look and feel.

Great job

Kym,

Thanks for the post. Great story, one that can't be told too often! The moral is that all parties involved in the sale need to step out of their comfort zones.

Being open to new ideas is important, staging can help in many homes.

Kym, good for her! I hope this will be a trend for our industry as the public becomes more educated about staging.

Kym,

Isn't it nice to see that people "get" what we do and that there is a reason for it? We are only trying to help them out!

Simply brilliant Kym :0)

Staging is so important now says. I hope you have more success stories!

Kym- That is so awesome to be able to show the impact that staging can have on a property! Now you have 3 believers instead of 1. Yeah :)

SEP

2008

Great Job......

What a surprize NOT...as always you know your business. Good job.

Hard guess? That was me...sorry forgot to sign in. T

Sounds like you helped make your client look brilliant as well as helping sell the home. Congrautlations.

Kym, seems to me that, not only do you staged well (since the property sold within 2 days after staging), you also profiled your client well. Wished you were closer!

Wonderful success story Kym!

Kym,

She is brilliant, and so are you. I like hearing these stories. I also really like your work (and photos). Top notch! It makes me want to jump right in and relax.

Kym - What a great success story to share. Nancy, I'm sure, had a huge smile on her face when the offer came in. Not worth the investment? HA! You proved it was worth every dime.

Kathy

I want a few Nancy's in my area!! I really believe staging will eventually be the first thing that a realtor or seller wants to happen to the house in question. It's new and people are still wary so we as stagers MUST be honest and reliable to make the name stand out. We have an obligation! To thine ownself be true.

Great work on the little house.

I love smart homeowners. Most of mine are brillant - very few don't get it. My Realtor clients really educate the homeowners before I come along and it makes my job so much easier. When we are done they are estatic and when the home sells quick they are fans for life. We love our job :)

Excellent work!! Just a little know how goes a long way!

You can tell by the room it's self it begged to be staged!

Great job as always but I still love looking at your work. Now, I hope the Realtor has your business card!

We are in a wave of a consumer revolution whereby the consumer does not think they need services such as ours. Better get ready for it as it is coming now. Thus, the key is to make your presentation consumer based....i.e. what does what you do benefit them? Until you answer that question, you are just another realtor that will be going out of business. That question is alot deeper than it reads..........

Kym, love stories just like yours! Great staging and thanks for moving our businesses forward. Nancy C.

SEP

2008

Congratulations Kym! she knew whoto call to get it SOLD! Stagers are a Realtor's best friend!

Jean, what a great idea! A third party always help's the homeowner see the realty of the situation. I agree with you Debbie. I really do consider myself to be a part of my Realtor Client team and do everything in my power to be their best marketing tool! Kym

SEP

2008

Hi Kym, Your statement kind of say it all doesn't it? "We staged it on Wednesday, it was sold by Friday". For a property to sit on the market for two months with 100's of people through and no offers. Not even slight nibbles/interests nothing! Then you staged it and BAM, it sold! Congratulations to you.

Thanks Cynthia - I just love these kind of houses and we are getting quite a few of them right now. Things are really moving when they are done right. Kym

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