Real estate industry rule needs more clarity for staging industry

Good Questions Tina,

Something I had never though about.  From what I can see and in speaking to a few different agents is that some promote staging services in their marketing material but don't divulge who the stage is.  It seems the ones that are using stagers are using the same one exclusively.  Some others are also using the stagers information in their marketing materials.  Hopefully some agents will respond and can maybe shed some light on what they do or need to do.

~Kimberly~

Tina,

The rules are different here in Tennessee, but what about the agent promoting you as part of his team like he would if he had a closing coordinator, assistant, or buyer's rep? You are just apart of his overall marketing plan to get the home sold.

It sounds to me like the agent is afraid of making an outright recomendation. So by listing multiple names he does not have to make a recomendation. I don't know how to overcome that though.

Lynette

Tina - here in California, most agents have the same relationship with their stagers and they do with their title company, their lenders, etc., and buyers and sellers usually just follow their lead...it just isn't questioned. It will happen just like mentioning your favorite restaurant when someone is new to your area...they trust you. Referring a vendor is a whole separate subject and it has nothing really to do with staging. Often, agents have in-house stagers as well. 

The agents I've dealt with in Ontario have never mentioned this.

I think they look at this as if I am part of their team. My info package is given to the homeowner by the agent, but usually I just get a call from the agent to see a house or condo since they choose to pay for my service.

If plumbing or electrical work needed to be done, the agent wouldn't be making the call nor paying for it. If you are partnering with the agent on a flyer, it is like saying you are a team as well.

Have  him promote you as part of his team and he can make it a value added service. He can pay for consults on lived in homes and then you have the opprotunity to upsel you doing the work and the home owner can pay.

WHere I live many agents pay for the entire staging because they know the house will sell and they make it back.

I never even thought this was an issue but truly now I see it can be legally where you are.  If the realtor is paying for any portion of your services I don't see where it would be a problem, however, if he's referring you to a client as a service (like painter or plumber would be considered) I can understand the rule of 3 choices so the client has the control and choice. But the other points made here as the "value added" service and part of a team would be another angle and would that be an issue of in- house marketing and not the same in terms of other services & the legalities you mention? Food for thought, always welcome - thanks Tina.

I am not sure about it being a rule to give 3 names and that may be a state rule. I have been given a variety of advice on this. One very experienced and seasoned agent says if the client asks you for a recommendation and you have someone that you know and trust make that recommendation. If you give them 3 names and they pick one and it does not work out it will still be your fault in the eyes of the client regardless of how many names you gave them.

Sue

The agents I work with generally pay my fee.  They also refer to me in their marketing materials. I have noticed that most realtors are loyal to one stager unless that stager becomes busy or is unavailable.

Denise