Letting go of a home can sometimes be hard to do for some sellers. Afterall, there are memories there of your children growing up, family gatherings, celebrating holidays and ohhh all the great treasures you have collected during your time in a home.
The Staging Fashionista staged a Clifton, VA home recently where that was just the case. The homeowner had not yet transitioned from it being their home to it being a product for sale. The owner had many family memories and had lovely treasures that she and her husband collected throughout their worldly journeys and they loved each and every piece. It was a big challenge for us but we got through it as we are professional home stagers that can and need to make it work.
Why was she using a home stager you may ask? Well the realtor is smart and she was paying for the staging and wanted to make sure that this lovely home would sell. However, no matter how much convincing the realtor and I tried she was not convinced that this was the process for her and she did not understand why we were taking things away and then adding different things. The good thing is that she did finally agree to staging, but she had specific things she was not willing to part with and that had to remain even during the sale. We worked with it and we used our abilities to make the home look presentable, inviting and something that a buyer would want to buy.
Was it a challenge? Absolutely! Did we make it work? Absolutely! We realize at the Staging Fashionista that letting go can be difficult. Sometimes you don't want to move but have to move due to unforseen circumstances, job requirements, retirement or family obligations. However, we make every effort to help a homeowner sell their home and make it as easy as possible no matter how difficult it may be to let go. If you want to see the before and after photos of our staging watch our VIDEO
Edward Moloney Loan Officer GMH Mortgage Services - Holliston, MA
Loan Officer Providing 5 STAR SERVICE
Most top realtors that I know hire stagers for their clients as part of listing the home
Mar 27, 2011 01:29 PM
The Staging Fashionista - Alexandria, VA
APSD, RESA
Hi Edward - All the realtors I work with definitely do but there are others that don't! Thanx for stopping by.
Mar 27, 2011 01:34 PM
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
I think that staging is a very important part of the listing preparation process. Professional photos are also key to marketing the property. It can be difficult to convince sellers to pack away their memories, but necessary to be able to allow the buyer to imagine their things in the home. Great post.
Mar 27, 2011 01:41 PM
The Staging Fashionista - Alexandria, VA
APSD, RESA
Hi Karen - thanx for stopping by and you made very valid points and like you said it is difficult but necessary.
Mar 27, 2011 01:47 PM
Peterborough, ON
Leaving a home is a grief process and depending on where the client is at in that process will affect their ability to let go of their home. Their resistance to changing anything speaks to how difficult change and transitions are for people. It is so important for stagers to recognize and be respectful of this, as you have obviously done with this client!
Mar 28, 2011 02:13 AM
HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN
Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN
Great points for hiring a stager, just wish that more people understood the value of hiring a professional stager...great post thanks for sharing
Mar 28, 2011 02:14 AM
The Staging Fashionista - Alexandria, VA
APSD, RESA
Hi Karen - you are absolutely right it definitely was a grief process for this seller so as a home stager I have to make it less painful. Thanx for your comments.
Hi Mary Lou - I agree with you - that is what we are trained to do! Thanx for stopping by.
Mar 28, 2011 02:34 AM
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
Hi Mannie--Liked the video. You certainly made a difference in that home. I agree with Karen's comment above that many people struggle with change and letting go. So we have to be psychiatrists and home stagers at the same time, and it seems you did just that.
Mar 28, 2011 07:46 AM
The Staging Fashionista - Alexandria, VA
APSD, RESA
Hi Janet - definitely agree with that we are multi-hatted in this business. You just have to work with it! Thanx for commenting and for looking at my video! Take care.
Mar 28, 2011 08:14 AM
Staged To Sell - Portland, OR
It's easy for us to say declutter, and to see the simple changes that will help a home sell, but it can be very difficult for a seller to let go. It is so important for us stagers to be sensitive to a sellers situation. Thanks for this post, and nice job on the staging : )
Mar 28, 2011 08:21 AM
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional
When they cover this in your staging course it doesn't really sink in right away. You have to experience it with clients to appreciate just how wrenching selling a house can be. We should always remember we are in someone's home.
Mar 28, 2011 08:54 AM
The Staging Fashionista - Alexandria, VA
APSD, RESA
Hi Michelle and Janice - thank you for your comments and I agree being sensitive to the homeowner's feelings about their home is key.
Mar 28, 2011 01:29 PM
AccentPositives Home Staging - Corona, CA
Professional Home Stager Inland Empire
Nice post Mannie, this is one of the most important and challenging parts of staging I think. I always remember how I felt when we were leaving the first home we owned that we brought our children home to after being born.
It is my job to make it as easy as possible while getting clients to cut the cord:)
Apr 02, 2011 04:58 PM
RE/MAX Allegiance - Burke, VA
Northern Virginia
Mannie: you did a great job coaxing the seller along and making due within the requirements. In the end, I believe the seller was satisfied. So many neighbors told her how great the home looked after you staged it.
Without your help, this home would not be under contract !!
Thank you for your professional work and ethics !
Marguerite
RE/MAX Allegiance
Apr 13, 2011 06:02 PM
The Staging Fashionista - Alexandria, VA
APSD, RESA
Hi Marguerite - thank you so much for the nice compliments and being such an awesome realtor. You are simply the best and I love working with you. Thank you for your business and for having the confidence in me to stage your homes. You are the best!
Apr 15, 2011 02:52 PM
Tori Toth, International - Howard Beach, NY
888.667.6643 NYC & Beyond, HSR, SAR, RESA, LIBOR
this is so true Mannie, the past couple of clients I've been dealing with have had this issue.
Jan 09, 2012 05:49 AM
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