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Vacant Staging Services, FOR FREE??????????

By Abby Roselli

Home Stager with ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC

April 19, 2007 07:07 AM

I'm stopping what I'm doing to write this. I just came across this company, Showhomes of America that advertises FREE vacant home staging from a link on a Coldwell Banker realtor's site. Of course, I had to read further. How could they stage a vacant home for free, and WHY would one offer to do so? Naturally, there has to be more to it.

They accept transients, esentially, with nice furniture and accessories to live in the vacant homes. The perk? These transients (my word, not their's) get to live in upscale homes with their furniture. They just have to be friendly and open to having the realtor's do frequent showings. When the home is sold, they get assistance with relocating to another vacancy...moving and everything. It seems they are targeting corporate business people, people between homes, people looking to relocate, etc to become the 'home managers'. The home manager assumes the living costs of the home while they are there and have to maintain the home as well. The homeowner gets the benefit of having the home occupied and maintained.

I've jumped out my bubble...I have never heard of this! Has anyone else? Their site has quite a few testimonials listed that rave about it. It seems they have been featured on many TV programs including Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Oprah Winfrey and others, as well as being featured in many newspapers in the top cities in the country.

What do you all think about this? Is this really considered staging? What do you think about the impact of this on our vacant staging businesses for the future, as staging continues to gain popularity?

OK, back to my research! Let me know your thoughts! I'm still scratching my head on this one.

Thanks,

Abby

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Jill Turgeon

One Percent Realty & Simply Irresistible Interiors - Edmonton, AB

The Staging Agent Jill Turgeon

It won't likel'y last...it's so much work to do what they are doing and the costs are likely adding up....they will see that it's not in their best interest to continue on that road and they will look at hiring a stager that can service their needs...so if anyone is in their area...start making contacts and keep pressing on....! Happy staging!

Apr 19, 2007 07:19 AM

Home Staging

Reston, VA

It was in VA for a short time apparently but didn't do well. So they went bust and moved on.

Apr 19, 2007 07:50 AM

Sandra Hughes

Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA

Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia

I heard about this about 2 or 3 years ago and it is actually a franchise. It would take a lot of work to qualify renters as being "safe" people to have in these homes plus qualifying their furnishings and qualifying they will keep the place neat and clean. I do not think it will replace staging for all those reasons I listed plus most people are not going to want to keep moving just to live rent free - at least not the kinds of people with nice furnishings.

Apr 19, 2007 09:26 AM

Melissa Marro

Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL

Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

I actually was at a home, staging it when someone came walking into the home. It was a neighbor who was renting a property (this is one of Charleston's 'best' neighborhoods). She asked what I was doing - we briefly talked. She said that she did this when she was living in Atlanta (She was the one who had exceptional furniture and got to live there for free.)

Off and on I have thought about this concept. I think it would be far too difficult to manage for me to even consider it - it is an interesting concept though. I don't necessarily think it would negatively impact our businesses, however. There can't be enough people who would qualify to take market share. This would also only apply to VERY upper end homes who have cheap owners. We would not be getting these jobs anyway. Most upper end homeowners would not want strangers living in their homes regardless of benefit to the sale of the home. Too much can go wrong.

Apr 19, 2007 09:33 AM

Abby Roselli

ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY

Staten Island Home Stager

Yes, good points. The concept seemed extremely bizarre to me, but you know how people can be when they are being 'sold' that they can do something for FREE. Nothing in life is FREE---I guess that's where the fine print comes in! It all seems so convoluted and difficult. A good, ol' vacant stage just seems easier to manage with less wear and tear to the home. Thanks for your replies, ladies! :)

Apr 19, 2007 01:51 PM

Lanita, Interior Concept Designs, Home Staging

Interior Concept Designs - Silver Spring, MD

I don't think that we need to worry that this practice will take the place of traditional vacant staging. Very few homeowners would welcome having a stranger (no matter how nice their furniture) take up residence in their home. This a silly (if not somewhat irresponsible) idea that I predict will go away very quickly.

Apr 19, 2007 01:59 PM

Cindy Richter

Interior Motiv Home Staging - Flower Mound, TX

IRIS Dallas, TX Home Stager

I met someone at my IRIS conference a month ago that useed to be a "transient". She's about 50 years of age and liked the change since her husband had died. But after a year of moving at the drop of a hat, she decided to become a stager. She had few positive things to say.

Apr 19, 2007 05:27 PM

Cindy Bryant

Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX

"Houston Home Staging Pros"

They contacted me months ago, to ask me about my business. And then they said they are always looking for empty homes to be occupied. They were especially interested in the coastal area homes. Would I let them know when I came across vacants. Why would I give up that information? Anyway, I don't think they will impact our business. Not everyone can pick-up and move, or has really nice showroom furniture. However, the home my parents bought had a couple living in it, that was on a similar program. And my mom liked the way it was decorated. So, to me it just gives more credence to what we do, staging a vacant house really does works!

Apr 20, 2007 06:14 AM

Abby Roselli

ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY

Staten Island Home Stager

Hi Lanita: I think it's kind of silly as well. I had to read about a few times to understand exactly what it was. I guess, from a personal standpoint, I am such an anchored person and don't adapt to 'change' very well that I just assume everyone else is like that...This is so far off that mark! Wow.

Hi Cindy R: I could see someone in that position because she was probably looking for a new place to settle now that her life had changed so much. Thanks for responding.

Hi Cindy B: Really??? Yeh, why would you let them know that? LOL I find the furniture thing to be quite the contrary in most occupied homes I've seen. Most of us don't have the pleasure of living that kind of lifestyle. You are right, it does! :)

Have a great day!

Abby

Apr 20, 2007 07:03 AM

Wayne B. Pruner

Oregon First - Tigard, OR

Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

It would be very easy to run afoul of Landlord Tenant Laws in Oregon if the "transients" did not want to move quickly. I would not suggest this "service" to any of my clients.

Apr 21, 2007 12:48 PM

Paula Springer

Key Elements Inc. Home Staging & Interiors - Portland, OR

A.S.P.

The owner of Showhomes contacted me a couple years ago...I did short poll of a few of top producing high end brokers about it, I figured that though the topic was likely not a winner, I might just start some conversations with brokers that had not returned my cold calls. Indeed I did actually get my company on the radar of a couple of luxury home specialists. The idea of using the topic as an entree came from reading a Barabara Corcoran book. Her ideas are really good....he way she got to where she is as NY condo queen is fascinating!

ANYWAY I ended up getting that Showhomes really needs markets where there is tons of wealth to support the business model they were using. Luxury homes seem to be their target, in areas where there are loads of them.

Apr 21, 2007 03:45 PM

Abby Roselli

ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY

Staten Island Home Stager

Hi Wayne: It didn't even occur to me about that...What a nightmare if they ended up with a squatter! Thanks for stopping by!

Hi Paula: It amazes me how many people have had contact with Showhomes. Like I said, I'm in a bubble sometimes and when I come across something new, it's usually just NEW to ME! LOL Thanks for the reference...I love reading about successful people and what was their secret to their success. I suppose there is a market for almost anything, depending who your target market is, right? Anyway, thanks for your input! :)

Have a great week!

Abby

Apr 22, 2007 10:57 AM

Carol Flores

4 Square Home Staging & ReDesign - Fort Worth, TX

Hi Abby -This type of service has been around but the catch is it is not free...they still have to pay to maintain the home! I've seen people use them that get into a bind and didn't get their house #1 sold by the time they closed on house #2, so instead of incuring all the costs of running the house #1 before it gets sold -they have someone else do it. People that move out of state before getting the house #1 sold - I've seen use this service so someone is there to 'look after' the house. Variety of reasons besides staging that people use the service...

Apr 22, 2007 12:48 PM

Yvonne Root

rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ

Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Here is an AR member who also does this. He is located in Arizona. You may have fun looking at what they do.

Apr 22, 2007 02:12 PM

Calie Waterhouse

Chandler, AZ

Community Builder

We have Showhomes here in Arizona too and while I don't particularly care for the idea of some stranger living in a my vacant home, I will admit they their Arizona office does a ton of business! Yes, their target market is the truly affluent, luxury homes and from the ones that I have seen - our local office seems to be doing a good job of interviewing and selecting their "house managers".

Do you happen to know that they charge the "house manager" a fee to live in the house? Not to mention, pay the utilities? Yep.

I think I'll stick to my "traditional" style of staging. It's easier for me to sell.

Apr 22, 2007 03:08 PM

Abby Roselli

ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY

Staten Island Home Stager

Hi Carol: I guess my feeling on it is, there is probably a market for everything in some way shape or form. I can see how it meets the needs of some people...from both stand points. Really, my question is, is it REALLY staging, though? I'm not sure that I see it that way.

Hi Yvonne: Cool. I haven't checked it out yet, but I will. Thanks for sharing! :)

Hi Calie: What got me to even look at it was the advertisement for FREE VACANT STAGING! But, like anything and almost everything, nothing is REALLY free. It's a good hook, though. I agree, I like the traditional staging concept better.

Thanks for your comments! Have a great day!

Abby

Apr 23, 2007 09:17 AM

Anonymous

Kerry Pulver

I am a homeowner that used the services of Showhomes in Mobile, AL, Corporate Headquarters. They allowed my house to be TRASHED!The 'transients' had horrible furniture, they smoked, had pets, did not care for the property. My appraised property value went down by $250,000 in the 2 years they managed it. We only found out by accident when the neighbors complained one of the transients was using the home to sell furniture and hand a moving van backing up into the front yard. In our attempt to recover damages their attorney states they may have to declare bankruptcy. They make money by charging below market rent to the transients.

If you care for your property or clients, avaid this company.

K Pulver

May 09, 2007 01:01 PM

#17

Abby Roselli

ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY

Staten Island Home Stager

Hi Kerry,

Oh, how terrible! I'm sorry that was your experience. When I came across their site I was very leery of it as I had never heard of it. It's the old, you don't get anything for nothing, but unfortunately there are always people that are willing to take the risk to save a buck. Most of us home stagers offer vacant staging...some of us rent furniture, some of us provide from our own inventories. We all have different spins on how we run our businesses, but the common denominator is that we don't HIRE people to live in the homes and do what this company does. I'd never recommend it, although I'm sure there are people that have used it successfully. In my opinion, I don't even think I'd classify it as home staging, to be honest. To each his own.

I hope you recover damages...how awful for you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Abby

May 09, 2007 01:38 PM