I spent several years in workforce development as a professional seminar facilitator coaching job applicants on how to dress to get the job. The classroom would be filled with job searchers whose goals were as diverse as the participants.  They consisted of welfare recipients and business executives and were all shapes, colors and sizes.  They all had one thing in common - they wanted to know how to dress to impress the interviewer and get the job! 

Let me paint the scene for you - There are two job applicants applying for the same office position.  The first applicant enters the reception area in ragged blue jeans, beat up boots, and Hawaiian print shirt - he needs a shave and a bath.  Applicant #2 enters the same reception area wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and a tie with polished dress shoes - he is well-groomed, neat, and squeaky clean.  When the interviewer enters the reception area, which applicant will he immediately favor?  Which applicant has made the best first impression? 

I hope you answered Applicant #2.  And, if you did select the right applicant, then I have a question for you!  Why are home buyers (the Interviewer) still touring homes (the Applicant) that are not prepared for the listing and open house (the Interview)?

ATTENTION REALTORS and SELLERS!  PLEASE DON'T STOP READING AT THIS POINT! 

Because this could very well be your story; the scenario you deal with week-in and week-out.  Buyers (interviewers) view and study your on-line photos (we'll call that the resume or application).  The tour your property (the applicant) - What impression do they get?  What message is your property sending to buyers?  If your property is not dressed and prepared for the listing and open house (the interview), that buyer(interviewer) will form a first impression in less than 30 seconds - starting at the curb - and it won't be favorable!

Every Realtor and every seller should want to impress the socks off buyer the minute the arrive at the property.  Curb appeal should "Awe!!!" buyers; The entry should "WOW!!"; All during the tour the Realtor should hear expressions of favorable impressions!!!

And, what about those vacant properties?  That's like a naked applicant in the reception area - the floors are shiny, the windows are clean, but the house is cold and bare!  Don't leave the imagination up to buyers.  It's reported that only 10% of buyers can visualize the home's potential, anyway.

Your property should be staged by a professional home stager to help "dress the applicant" so that it look its best - like a Model Home - in the eyes of the buyer (the interviewer).  Home Staging is a science and professional home stagers are skilled experts with proven techniques to get the home sold and success stories to prove that staging an occupied or vacant property will sell faster and for more money.

Pay a little for the interviewing suit and you'll get the"job"! - SOLD!