How much of your business stress is directly linked to your sellers?
Are they unrealistic about price? Do they think they know more about what their house is worth than you do? Are they living in a dated, cluttered, dirty home...unwilling to "invest" in the much needed improvements? Do they expect you to work marketing miracles, be on call 24 hours a day, and sell the house "yesterday" all at a reduced commission?
What if your sellers fully understood the concept of making a positive impression and were committed to presenting a "show ready" home?
What if your sellers were made aware of negative messages their house was sending to buyers and were willing to address them?
What if your sellers were inspired to action?
What if you no longer had to deal with issues of odor, cleanliness, and seller attitude because your marketing plan included someone else for those duties?
Someone else you say?
Someone else would clearly outline for your sellers what needs to be done to make their house market ready.
Someone else would identify all negative messages the house is sending to buyers and provide solutions to resolve them.
Someone else would inspire your sellers to action and make the "overwhelming" appear completely manageable.
Someone else would educate your sellers on "buyer perception" and exactly why improvements are needed.
Your "someone else" is a professional Home Stager
Many agents find it difficult to suggest home staging to their clients. Fear of insulting them and misconceptions about expense are two of the most popular reasons.
The services stated above are all part of a Home Staging Consult. A two-hour consult averages $125 - $200, but it doesn't have to cost you a cent.
Many agents offer a home staging consult as part of their listing service. Although it's a great way to stand out when competing for a listing, and is well worth the investment...it is my opinion and experience that sellers appreciate it more and take it more seriously when they themselves pay for the service.
SUGGEST THE SELLER SCHEDULE THE STAGING CONSULT
1. Make it your policy to suggest a staging consult to ALL sellers. Make it a standard step in the selling process.
"Staging is a marketing tool that I suggest for all my listings to give them a competitive edge. It has nothing to do with personal taste or style, it's all about presentation. The proper preparation increases our odds of getting an offer sooner."
2. Supply stager's contact information.
"I have a stager that I highly recommend to all my sellers. She will outline everything you need to know to prepare your house for sale. A two-hour consult is only $150. I suggest you call and schedule an appointment as soon as possible so the house is market ready when we list it."
Woulda, shoulda, coulda...
no need to wonder "What if?" any longer...
the time to let someone else make your job a little easier is now.
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