Have You Ever Staged a Home for Free for a Family in Need?

Hello! I've stage anonymous in my area several times.  No press-no donations. If I gave more details I think it may reveal who I stage for and I do not need that kind of attention. I do it because it is important to give back to our community and our Country.  It is a fact that if you have a roof over your head and change in your pocket you are better off than 94% of the rest of the WORLD.         

Very interesting concept.  I never thought of if before but worth checking out.  My goal is to beautify properties one by one and hey if it's a freebie for someone in need that's even better.   I would not mind at all as long as the property is pretty clean, I wouldn't do it if someone was living in filthe.  Like I've said a million times soap and water are pretty cheap.  Sounds like a great deal to me! Thanks for sharing the idea.

I have never done this, but I would without hesitation. I personally would not seek any attention for it. I would do it just to be helping someone.

I'd love to stage a women's and children's shelter in Lafayette with other local stagers, as a promotion for the staging industry in general. I've thought about it a lot. As soon as I find a couple more local stagers of like mind, I fully intend on doing it. It would be a great RESA thing, and a great way to come together and help make someone else's life a little more beautiful.

~Michelle

Great idea!  Everyone needs a hand every now and then...a little "Pay it Forward" nudge!  I've not had the opportunity yet.

Belinda, I agree on most points in your post and comments.  Actually it would be a good thing for the world to see Realtors and Stagers in a positive light doing things for others wouldn't it?  I agree with you there.  So much of what is put out there about Realtors for sure is pretty uncomplimentary at times.  Thanks for asking.

I have donated my services on two occasions and found it very rewarding. The first time was for an elderly couple. The agent and I went in and did the work together. We used only the owner's furnishings since there was no budget. I had the pleasure of working with antiques and the house sold in 6 days. The second time was to help a couple who had bought a house then split up and had to sell the new house. They could hardly carry the added cost so we used their things. I'm waiting to see if it helps my business with their agents. Until then, I know I've done a good thing.

I have staged for real people in "need", such as homes for foster kids, women's shelter's and homes for the elderly, etc.  However - and I hate to say it - but beware of those that simply say that they are "in need".  Everyone is "in need" right now (like the need of putting food on your plate!) so be careful of advertising that you help "those in need".  Someone simply selling their home is not in "need" verses someone selling their home to pay for their hospital bills because they just recovered from cancer.  Harsh sounding?  Maybe.  All I am saying is to just beware.

I think the publicity difference comes from helping a single family in need vs. helping a nonprofit organization.  I can see not publicing the the donation to the family, but why not for the organization?  It becomes more of a business arrangement that way.  I would most likely, publicize the success of the family project, just as I would any other successful project.  I'd just leave out the circumstances, and if the home was not for sale, then I'd certainly leave it anonymous.

Yes we have staged for a family in need. We provided some of our merchandise for free and spent a few hours at the house moving furniture and de-cluttering. The home owner was thrilled and has told everyone she knows about our company - although that is not why we did the staging. She tried to give us money that we refused - and we feel like we have given back to the community. We are thinking about implementing something in our area for stagers who want to give back to the community and help out families in need when they go to sell their homes. Its definitely something we want to do again!

Actually my local chapter of RESA will be doing something like this real soon!  I will have to let you know how it turns out!  

This is a fabulous idea! Doing good for someone else in need!

Our company works with Habitat for Humanity, Teen Challenge, the Soup Kitchen, Love Cupboard, BAY, & others.

I met a couple that I wanted to stage their home for free, but I knew they wouldn't let me because of pride.  So, I charged them about 1/8th of what it would've cost them.  It was for an older couple that were both in their 80's - oh boy, were they ever so cute!  Married for over 60 years and still madly in love with each other.  They had a mobile home that they needed to sell, it had been on the market for almost 6 months.  The wife had heard about this new fangled thing that young people were doing and if it was working for others, then they were willing to try it.  But they didn't have a lot of money, I agreed to stage it for them, but only if they let me do what I needed to do and if they told all their friends about it.  Especially, their agent.  After I staged their mobile home, it sold in less than 2 weeks.  Edith and George were so thrilled and happy that it was all I needed for payment.  I got a few jobs after that from the agent, but I really didn't do it for the possible work that I'd get out of it - I did it because after being around for that long and still manage to be happy together - I felt that they deserved it. 

I heard from my daughter about a family who had to move because of a tragedy.  I offered my services of occupied staging free of charge, as I heard that they were selling their house themselves. They accepted & were very grateful.  However, the house did not sell as fast as they needed & they are renting it out. I would not have wanted any publicity, as this was a private matter.