Letting other Realtors know that your listing has been professionally staged

By
Home Stager with Chicagoland Home Staging LLC

When I write home staging blogs showcasing the importance of professional staging, or showcasing before and after transformations, I often get comments about how much more agents enjoy showing properties that are professionally staged. So my questions is, could it be good for your marketing to let other customers and agents know about it

Should a Realtor advertise the staging?

There are a couple of ways that a Realtor could advertise that their listing has been professionally staged. One of them is a sign rider that could be attached to the sign in the yard, letting everyone who sees the yard sign know. The second is to include something like "Professionally staged by Chicagoland Home Staging" in the agent notes. 

Putting a 'Professionally Staged' rider on the yard sign

showcasing a staged propertyMost new home buyers seem to spend a lot more time on HGTV. Today, most of them also know what home staging is. It's all over the shows, whether they are looking at a show about home flipping, income properties, million dollar real estate, or selling in LA.  If they are selling a home on TV, it's probably getting staged. When buyers see the sign rider in the yard, they may get a little more excited, even if it is just subconsciously because they feel like they are part of something they only see on TV. This may give a little extra emotional boost to this property choice. Then, of course, when they see it, and it looks great, you have a winning combination.

You may also get more drive by lookers who are curious to see what the home looks like inside. If you have a mobile site listed on  your sign, this could provide additional mobile traffic, and possibly lead to more showings.   

Adding 'Professionally staged by Chicagoland Home Staging' in the agent notes

marketing the home staging professionalIf the home seller doesn't want their neighbors to know that the home has been professionally staged then adding these few words in the agent's notes may be a good option. By adding them to the agent notes in the listing you'll help other agents understand that this home will show well. If they are familiar with our staging company and the reputation we have for producing quality end results, they may give this listing a little extra nudge toward setting up a showing. 

Ultimately the seller has paid for a service that is there to help their home to be showcased and marketed to it's best possible light. My question is, "Could we be missing a piece of the equation?" When buyers get excited to see professionally staged homes, and other agents like showing them, shouldn't agents who are already using stagers be adding this as part of their marketing?

Posted by

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Margaret Gehr is the principle owner of Chicagoland Home Staging, servicing the greater Chicago area for home staging, redesign, and design projects. We work in both occupied and vacant homes. 

 

Comments (7)

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Margaret ~ I've seen "staged by ABC Staging Co" used in the agent-only MLS notes, which as you said lets agents know that this home will be easy to show.

However, I'd strongly discourage stagers from using those sign riders because they've attracted attention from criminals who want to steal the furnishings and grab the appliances, too (particularly in vacant staged homes).

In the end, I believe that the best staging provides great MLS professional photos that attract potential buyers to the home, so it's probably not necessary to "advertise" the home as staged.  Effective staging should speak for itself when buyers see it online or in person.

Jul 19, 2013 02:07 AM
Margaret Gehr
Chicagoland Home Staging LLC - Naperville, IL
Hi Maureen :) Thanks for your comments and thoughts. I have many agents that advertise for realtors eyes only and some that never do. I honestly have felt the same about riders but lately have been seeing them around town. I do think if they are used the property better look dynamite. I was a little disappointed on one I saw that was a owner occupied recently.
Jul 19, 2013 10:49 AM
Ralph Gorgoglione
Maui Life Homes / Metro Life Homes - Kihei, HI
Hawaii and California Real Estate (310) 497-9407

Professional staging creates an immediate draw through word of mouth, though it wouldn't hurt to advertise to realtors as well. Thanks for the post!

Jul 20, 2013 10:14 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Margaret- I like the idea of a small statement in the MLS notes because it just might get the eye of another agent and increase interest in showing the property.  I'm very cautious on the sign riders though,  partly because I want the property to take center stage and not the fact that it has been professionally staged.   Good topic!

Jul 21, 2013 04:28 AM
Linda Thompson
Selling By Design-Staging - Fresno, CA

I like the idea of an MLS notation, but the rider on a vacant, as Maureen mentioned, could attract the wrong people. I recently staged a vacant which was broken into. Luckily a neighbor scared them off so very little ( a few accessories) was stolen. We did not have a rider on the sign, but a vacant reno. is always a target.

Jul 25, 2013 07:24 AM
Margaret Gehr
Chicagoland Home Staging LLC - Naperville, IL

Ralph I agree. Word of mouth and referrals are certainly a great source for new business and agree a MLS notation certainly doesn't hurt.

Hi Kathy -  I think there is a risk every time we stage a vacant home. It seems to me most of the neighborhood knows whats going on anyway. I have several rehab investors who put up huge coming soon/open house signs that draw large numbers of people. They intentionally create a buzz.

Linda -  Wow you were lucky! I do agree a rider sign is not appropriate on ever property. It does seem some types of properties get targeted a little more than others but in the end I know I'm fully insured and am covered if there is ever any loss. We've been lucky for the last 8 years but we should always be prepared for the worst.

 

Jul 26, 2013 01:28 AM
Michelle Finnamore
Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON
Preparing your property for sale

In the area I work in it is discouraged to advertise that the home is staged. I think I would have to agree with not promoting it as the staging should be used to highlight the home.

Never thought about the fact that it would attract theives. I have only had one break in during 6 years of being in business and it was a vacant property way out in the Lake district with no neighbours.  They actually came to steal the Wolf appliances and took very little of the rental furniture etc.

Word gets around a community in regards to which stagers are professional and offer the right look to attract the target market. I do not see the need for sign riders when anyone can see by the listing photos that the house looks amazing.

Jul 26, 2013 01:34 AM