Take it to the Stage

Hey, Alex!  I'm in SC otherwise I would help you..There is the list of stagers in AZ that you can look at.  I would also reccommend reading the post by Kimberly Wester that describes how to mentions stging to your clients.  Here is the Link.... Step by Step: Introducing Staging to your Clients  and another good read is  Step by Step: The Staging Process for Realtors  I hope this helps.

Alex-  Welcome to the cutting edge of Real Estate.  Most "seasoned" agents are not too keen on this idea, because it has not been necessary in the past, but it is quickly becoming essential to their business and they refuse to see it.  Those who fail to use it will see a difference in their business very quickly. Staging is a vacant house is hugely beneficial for several reasons. 

First, it gives the buyer spatial reference - most people (mostly women) need something in the rooms so that they can guage whether their things will fit there . Ex; this is a queen size bed, so mine will fit, etc.  Second, having furniture and soft goods in the room absorbs sound, therefore adding warmth through the elimination of the echo that most vacant houses have. Third,  vacant homes often feel dead to some  and that is an unwelcoming feeling.  Adding life through staging can totally change one's perception of the house.

Generally , stging makes a home easier to sell and national statistics say they sell 2-3 times faster than vacant (depending on area). I cannot attest to cost in your area, but you can look at it this way - the longer a home is on the market, the more the price generally drops.  If the cost of staging the entire house is let's say $3000, your first price drop is usually around $5-$10,000, right? Which is more costly?

Sometimes staging can increase the asking price, but there are many factors that go into that - actual listing price is included.  The only client objection I ever hear for vacants is out of pocket cost.  They tend to see a price reduction as less costly, because it does not get withdrawn from their bank account.  If you an your stager are well versed in the benefits of staging the house, this is a hurdle easily overcome.

Good luck with your new career and I hope this is helpful to you.

I would say at that price - here in Indiana - you are looking at the main rooms (kitchen, dining, living, family, master and all baths) fully or mostly furnished and accessorized with my personal inventory - no furniture company involved and all staging fees.  That would be initial cost - not monthly rental.  Monthly rental would obviously be less, because there would be no staging fee involved.  If you have a strong marketing plan and a very compentent stager, one month may be all you need. (of course, that is never a guarantee, depending on the market, etc.)

These are fine points that need to be worked out with your stager. Some stagers do not carry inventory.  some do contracts for a set amount.  It realy depends on how they run their business.

 

No problem, Alex.  If I can be of any more assistance, please let me know.