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Staging a Townhome for Sale - Bothell, WA

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Properties Seattle

I was looking at the BRIO homes for sale, and noticed a few things the agents could do to improve the photos in the mls.  The 3 bedrrom Brookwood Place Townhome in Bothell was one that caught my attention. With properties sitting on market longer than usual since the middle of July, presentation of photos and condition of property has become ten times more important now than over the past 2-3 years.

One of the advantages of having a Broker who also sells real estate, is the Broker can help you stage your properties and give you a few pointers so you can stage your own properties, rather than just taking photos in "as is" condition in the future. 

Training is more than showing you which forms to use when it sells.   Training should be about how to get it sold.

Jeremy Keener picked me up at 9 a.m. and we had the whole townhome done well before noon.  We brought nothing with us except for a camera.

There are more before and after photos over at RCG for those who like to see the way rooms change with just a little shoving around of furniture.  But my point here is that there are some advantages to having a broker who also sells real estate. 

Everybody talks about Training and Raising the Bar.  But there are very few classes offered that help you to sell real estate.  Field trips with the Broker going out to houses, and workshops with role playing will do more to train agents about what they really need to know.  How to get homes sold and how to interact with buyers and sellers on a daily basis.

This lesson is about not being afraid to touch the owners things.  Don't just snap that photo and load it up into the mls.  Take the couple of hours to move everything around a bit before the photos are taken. 

There were a few awkward moments when I was crawling around the floor.  I guess the Broker crawling around the floor of your listing is not an everyday event in this business :)  But as you can see from the photos, I think it was well worth it to suffer a little embarrassment for the benefit of my agents.

So if you have a Broker who also sells real estate, instead of viewing the Broker as a competitor, maybe you should focus on some of the real advantages.  You won't get any Continuing Ed Clock Hours for spending time in your listings with your Broker, but you may just get a few more homes sold for your clients in this slowing market.

Bill Blair
Coldwell Banker Realty - Covington, GA
Covington Georgia Realtor Covington Living Homes
Great contrast in the photos, Ardell.  Really made a difference.  I used to work for a broker who owned the franchise and actively sold in competition also.  Notice the "used to."  I'm now with a different franchise.
Oct 08, 2007 04:52 AM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA
Yes Sally, I did have a skirt on.
Oct 08, 2007 05:21 AM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA

Leslie,

I usually don't do before photos of my listings, just the after shots.  But these simple dramatic ones really are a good teaching vehicle.

Oct 08, 2007 05:22 AM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA

Danielle,

Not really just the shot, the problem with the original photo wasn't the shor per se.  It was the arrangement of the room.  Though adding light is a huge plus!

Oct 08, 2007 05:23 AM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA

Bill,

I have to say that my best Brokers did sell real estate.  They had more timely and complete advices.  More meaningful support.  The worst Brokers I have had never sold real estate at all.

Oct 08, 2007 05:24 AM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate

Ardell,

Nice transformation! I admire a Broker who is not afraid "to get down and dirty" and help others succeed!

Oct 08, 2007 05:26 AM
Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast
Big difference Ardell.  And look at the beautiful outdoors you know is out there now.  There could have been a view of a brick wall and no one would have been the wiser.  Nice work.
Oct 08, 2007 05:54 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
It's great that you realize - and demonstrate - that a good broker is more than just someone who teaches the agents to fill our forms.
Oct 08, 2007 08:13 AM
S W
Seattle, WA

Ardell, 

Smashingly different, I almost didn't recognize that it was the same room, THE SAME FURNITURE!!!! Unbelievable!

Oct 08, 2007 08:42 AM
S W
Seattle, WA
Oh Should mention that last comment was me! (forgot to sign in!)
Oct 08, 2007 08:44 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Goodness. Brave you are.

Oct 08, 2007 08:49 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
ARDELL, I hope your agents realise how very fortunate they are to have you as their Broker. I've been following these posts of yours and you are doing an EXCELLENT job!! If all Brokers were this hands on our business would clean up over night. A big KUDOS from Broker Bryant!
Oct 08, 2007 11:20 AM
Sandi Bauman
Chico Homes Real Estate - Chico, CA
Chico CA Realtor
Very, very nice job.  I love that you take the time to go really hands-on with your office-- nothing beats that kind of training.
Oct 08, 2007 04:41 PM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA

Bryant,

You and I operate quite similarly in many ways.  We get down to reality real fast, don't we?  I just do it with more "edge".  You do it with congenial style.

Oct 08, 2007 05:21 PM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA

Sara,

We'll have to do one of these together sometime.  It's great fun!

Oct 08, 2007 05:22 PM
Geno Petro
GenoPetro.House - Chicago, IL

ARDELL...thanks for stopping by my CHW site as well commenting on my recent AR post which, as we both know, is the same material. Just can't find the time to multi-task when it comes to writing/selling/enjoying life etc. It's either one thing or the other with me. Anyway, great before and afters. I promise to read you more often.

 

G

Oct 09, 2007 04:45 AM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA

You don't have to read me for us to be friends, Geno.  God knows I don't read enough myself.  Enjoy your new home.

Oct 09, 2007 04:50 AM
Brad Nix
Path & Post Real Estate - Woodstock, GA

Ardell,

 

Great points about manging brokers who also sell real estate!  It appears they guys over at sellius disagree and I have answered their post with strong support for all managing brokers who do it right:

http://blog.sellsiusrealestate.com/real-estate-confidential/when-your-broker-competes/2007/10/11/#comment-133375

 

Oct 11, 2007 11:15 PM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA
I'm wondering who "mystery blogger" is over at Sellsius.  I would have commented there, but when the person I am speaking with is a mystery, I feel like I'm talking to myself.
Oct 12, 2007 12:33 PM
The Keutla Team
Keller Williams - Auburn, WA

Ardell,

 Great pointers on the picture taking, it really makes a difference.  its amazing how something so little makes such an impact.

The Keutla Team-

Oct 19, 2007 09:01 AM