Last week we all took the Scout oath.... swearing we understood that Staging a property DID NOT involve
- Lingerie, fancy bath salts or a breakfast tray in the Master Suite
- Plug-in air fresheners or fake flowers
- Convoluted, budget-driven DIY projects
- Naked walls, or white/off-white walls
THEN we brought up some of the value a professional Stager could bring to your transaction, here are a few more.
Keep in mind, none of these are absolutes. No 30-day money-back guarantee-not even a set of Ginsu steak knives. Just sharing what I've seen, hoping it'll help someone else start the conversation and find a way to make this Staging thing work for them...and OK, maybe hoping a little harder that some of you live in the refreshed home's area!
3. Professionally staged properties increase curiosity about, and elevate interest in the listing
Earlier this year, Russel Ray wrote a great post about a Less is More approach to marketing.
Observing
that humans, just like cats, are naturally curious creatures, Russel's premise was that in our 24/7 over-stimulated world, if you can catch someone's attention in a simple and unexpected way, they will be drawn to find out more on their own.
Staging in our area is still this semi-mysterious entity. Word of a professionally Staged property? Buyer (AND agent) nip!!
4. Consulting with a professional Stager could help your short sale property as well
I do a lot of work with one agent on her short sales. NOT the pipes-ripped-out-of-the-wall type of distressed properties, but average house/ house is underwater/deferred maintenance/sellers have to sell type of properties.
She gets the sellers into the right mind frame- the past is past, this is what they need to do if they want to get on with their life. We meet, set a strategy, they get a written plan and do the work themselves/arrange to have it done. At this writing, this agent has put together, and gotten approval on 45 short sale deals this year.
No illusions on my part, I know there is a LOT more involved, but she says the work, and my designation on the paperwork help lenders fast-track the deal.... so I'm just sayin'...
5. THIS Professional Stager works with Buyers, too!
An un-staged property is really just the before of a Staged property. Knowing what needs to be done, or seeing what is possible is one thing, but being able to explain it clearly, and on the fly to buyers is another.
Before launching my business in 2007, I had 25 years of working busy retail floors. Back in the 80's and 90's, busy, crazy times, when people couldn't spend money fast enough.
When the door opened, and it was your turn, you were walking, talking, listening, thinking-figuring out where the customer was coming from, what they needed, and how you could help them to see it. Exactly the same skill set I use to help buyers see potential in a property they are considering.
Prep for listing photos/open houses, referrals to any needed vendors, client support, the list goes on and on. Point being-consider most of what you see on TV as a starting point. What are your needs? Get past de-clutter, de-personalize, yada, yada, yada. Call a professional Stager today, and just start the conversation.
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