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Honey, The Monster is Here!

By
Home Stager with Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com

As a stager I am hired by home owners to get their home ready to put on the market.  I am not there to pass judgment on their choice of décor, color, or any other aspect of the home that they love so dearly. My job is this: get buyers in the door to write offers. 

Many times I am greeted at the door by a nervous home owner worried the monster on the other side is here to chew them up and spit them out by telling them everything that is wrong with their home. How grueling the next two hours are going to be. I know some would rather be at the dentist getting a root canal then spend this time together evaluating their house.

Honestly, I can say I understand how they must feel. It is probably pretty nerve wracking having a total stranger evaluate your home from top to bottom, inside and out.  Well, rest assured Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner, I'm not a monster and I'm here to help. It's important to remember how you live in your home and how you sell a home are two different things.  What works for living doesn't necessarily work for selling. 

Next to your Realtor, I'm your best friend!  I'm here to take what you have and make it better.  I'm here to find the hidden money you have laying around that you weren't even aware of.  I'm here to put money in your pocket. I'm here to show you really how great your house can be with just some minor tweaks.  You may not always like what I have to say, but would you rather hear it from me or hear it from the many buyers who walk thru your house and don't write an offer? And then be baffled as to why your house hasn't sold after months on the market?

Do my recommendations always cost money? Nope. Sometimes it is just removing excess stuff and rearranging furniture.  Is it worth it to put money into your house to sell? You betcha it is! Repairing broken door knobs, updating with a fresh coat of neutral paint, adding fresh flowers for pops of color, and caulking around tubs and vanities can make all the difference in a sold house or frustrated homeowners. Frustrated their agent hasn't sold the house, frustrated buyers haven't written offers, sometimes even frustrated that the sky is blue. 

Remember Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner, you have to do your part, too. Your home has to show well - Period. If not, what shot does your agent have to sell it for fair market value? None, zero, zip.

So remember, when that monster comes knocking on your door take a deep breath and smile..... your leprechaun is here.  We are going to find your pot of gold today!

     

Pictured above is a property staged by Fresh Perspectives Property Merchandising Services with zero dollars spent by homeowner except staging fee. Fresh Perspectives  is a home staging company specializing in vacant home staging, model home staging, and property redesign for the Greater Nashville real estate community. For an honest assessment of your home contact us 615-465-8086 or www.fresh-perspectives.com.

Posted by

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Anthea Click is the President of Fresh Perspectives Property Merchandising Services specializing in staging vacant homes, model homes and owner occupied redesign in the Middle Tennessee area including:Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, Fairview, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, and Lebanon. She is also a certified CSP Elite instructor, educating agents on how to incorporate staging into their business. For information on staging your home for sale contact us at 615-465-8086 or visit our website www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com

                                              

 

Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

I have a listing I wish you could work your magic on!  Bless her heart.....she is trying to pack up some of the stuff but it is a slow process.

 

Jun 15, 2009 07:56 AM
Anthea Click
Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com - Franklin, TN
Nashville Home Stager - Selling Nashville, TN homes quickly!

Liz,

 I can totally understand how the homeowners would feel. I think it is important to be honest, but it is also the way something is said. If I don't tell the truth aren't I really doing the client a disservice? The ones who follow our advice and do what needs to be done really reap the rewards.  I'm glad you also like the pics. It's one of my favorite transformations!

 

Ann,

I will have to let you know when I come to Birmingham to visit Terry and Kathleen and see their new house. I'd be happy to wave my magic wand and spread some fairy dust on your listings while I am there. ;-)

Jun 15, 2009 08:35 AM
Michelle Finnamore
Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON
Preparing your property for sale

Hi Anthea, I know what you mean. While you are explaining the suggestions for the home you can sometimes just see the panic rising in the clients eyes. Then a few days later you receive the listing photos and lo and behold they took your advice and the place looks like a magazine. We have to remember that what seems like an easy thing to do is not always seen that way from the clients perspective as they do not have a routine down like we do to get everything accomplished. Great post!

Jun 15, 2009 09:46 AM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Anthea - I would absolutely love to feature this post in the group called Staging Before & After Pictures.   Could you add it there!

Thanks!

Kathy

Jun 15, 2009 11:27 AM
Anthea Click
Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com - Franklin, TN
Nashville Home Stager - Selling Nashville, TN homes quickly!

Michelle,

 I know exactly what you mean! I guess that is why we have a job doing what we do. So many times people tell me they cannot walk into a room and envision it any other way and have no idea how in the world I can! Glad you enjoyed the post - thank you!

 

Kathy,

I am honored! It has been posted to Staging Before and After Pictures. Thank you!!! :-)

Jun 15, 2009 01:35 PM
Gary Barnett
Home Matters - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis

Anthea, many of us, including yourself have figured this staging stuff out.... We're really in the people business.  Good to see you...

Jun 15, 2009 02:48 PM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

Really fantastic blog!!  I don't think it could have been written better actually.  You beautifully illustrated the fears of many sellers and why they need to have us come in..... Thank you for sharing your insight!

Jun 15, 2009 03:29 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Pot of gold-I like that!  What a fantastic blog article!!  Three cheers to you!!

Jun 15, 2009 05:11 PM
Linda D. Pufford
Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA
ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Anthea,

Building relationships is so important in the this business.  Showing our clients how much we care and are willing to do whatever it takes to help their home shine and sell.  You did a fantastic job!!!

Jun 15, 2009 06:09 PM
Susan Peters
Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA
The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Hi Anthea,

What a great example of a "No Additional Cost Staging" and the difference is priceless!

Jun 15, 2009 07:08 PM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Anthea - Thank you for adding this post to the group.

Congratulations.  Your post is being featured in the group Staging Before & After Pictures.

Kathy

Jun 15, 2009 10:45 PM
Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA
Atlanta Home Staging

Hi Anthea!  -- I just love this post!  You are so right on -- I just had this experience yesterday.  She ended up being able to recognize that I was on a whole different page than her interior designer and wants me to come back to do more!  Never dawned on me to tell her I was a leprechaun!

Jun 16, 2009 12:07 AM
Kimberly Uksik
Independent - Pickering, ON
Home Stager - Durham, Toronto, On.

Anthea,

Great point of view and this will be great to turn around the public perception of home stagers.

Jun 16, 2009 12:37 AM
Tori Lynn Wallitsch
Prudential Ambassador / Ross Designs, LLC - Omaha, NE

I am happy to say that more often than I would have originally thought, many clients are excited to work with me. But, there are times when you see that worried look in their eyes and even more often than that, the spouse that wasn't able to be at the appointment is more worried than the present spouse and calls a few times during the appointment to see what's going on. I always try to imagine how I would feel if the shoe were on the other foot and that helps me keep my empathy.

Jun 16, 2009 04:36 AM
Anthea Click
Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com - Franklin, TN
Nashville Home Stager - Selling Nashville, TN homes quickly!

Gary,

You are so right! It's always about the people.

Melissa,

Thank you so much! I really struggle writing and this one just rolled out. I love it when that happens. :)

Cathy,

Thank you!

Linda,

It's really about caring about others. You are so right! Thank you. :)

Susan,

It's crazy to think staging has to cost an arm and a leg. The numbers just have to make sense!

Kathy,

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am truly honored!

Karen,

Hello dear friend! We certainly are on different pages than interior designers. I usually think frugal, cheap, or free - without looking that way!

Kim,

Thank you! I hope it does help with our perception.

Tori,

I know what you mean. I'd hate to have someone in my home telling me how everything is wrong. I always find something to compliment!

Jun 16, 2009 05:22 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

I guess people do think we are judging them.  I never judge any of my clients, and it's always the ones, that's houses are in pretty good condition that are always apologizing for their house.  I guess I just look past it. 

Jun 16, 2009 01:46 PM
Christine Trebendis ~ Rooms Revealed
Rooms Revealed - Brentwood, TN

Great job Anthea...I bet these homeowners were thrilled. 

Jun 17, 2009 09:10 PM
Kate Jahnson
Home Stage Home - West Linn, OR
Home Stager

Just getting rid of that rug did wonders.  Wowza!  The light streaming in made that after photo all the more beautiful.  Kudos to you!

Jun 18, 2009 03:09 PM
Luci Terhune
Bungalow Home Staging & Redesign - Nutley, NJ
NJ Home Stager 973 896-6489

Great blog article Anthea! I think this is why most homeowners won't call a Home Stager. It's not necessarily that they don't want to spent the money but more of the fear of working with one who might turn out to be " a monster".

Jun 19, 2009 11:55 PM
Pangaea Interior Design Kitchen & Bath Design, Remodeling
Portland Oregon - Portland, OR

Still, my best way to eliminate that worry about being judged is to let them know that even though I am a professional interior designer and home stager, I would have to change a lot of things in my own house too, if I were putting it on the market. It isn't about good or bad taste ... it's all about broad appeal.

Wonderful before & after!

Aug 29, 2009 05:46 PM