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Successful Selling in an Ugly Market Ain’t Always Pretty!

By
Industry Observer

 Even though we live in a consumer society, it's an odd fact that home sellers typically do not view their property as a product for sale in a marketplace. Because this is so, a home's sale often languishes. But this need not be the case. Basic marketing teaches us that how a product is perceived and received within the market can be altered and impacted.

More then just being decorators or designers, good home stagers are more focused in applying a full array of strategic marketing principles and practices which positively influence the consumer about a product in a market.

So even though a staged home might look attractive, it is important to note that staging is NOT solely about making a home look "pretty." In fact there are homes that CAN look visually attractive and STILL not be staged. Any Realtor, home seller, or builder who thinks that all staging is is making a home look "pretty" is grossly ignorant to the reality of what a good stager does and therefore probably not using a stager and benefiting from what we do.

The "Why" and "How" a home is prepped and set for showing and selling is what real estate staging is all about. Much like what happens every day in retail stores across America (i.e. TARGET), real estate staging is actually more about the process of strategically setting up (merchandising) a house in a manner that makes it not only easy for buyers to tour, but also creates a way for their eyes and heart to connect to it with a powerfully effective first impression that lingers and stays with them.

I am not surprised to find there are many pretty homes that are not selling. But a staged home, that is priced right, will sell quickly, even in ugly markets.

Market It Forward...

Me

Juliet Johnson
Vizzitopia - St Johns, FL
Jacksonville Photography & Digital Marketing

Ditto!

Staging often gets used to shore up price, but the bottom line is always presenting the home in the best possible way.  My guess is, Craig, once you moved the plant and the family room stuff about you would find a total lack of "illustration" for lifestyle in the home.  If a buyer can't imagine themselves living in the place, ain't no-one gonnna buy it.

Anyway, here's what the realtors here tell me --

no showings = too high a price, no value

no offers = nobody gets it

Mar 27, 2008 08:06 AM
Michael Taylor
Red Door Real Estate - Fishers, IN
I agree that staging is of vital importance.  Sometimes it is amazing how many how a lack of vision when viewing a home.  Sellers need to put the best product on the market and make as appealing as possible.  
Mar 27, 2008 09:44 AM
Patricia Beck
RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realty
Great post.  I think a lot of thought would have to go in staging a property correctly to attract a buyer to it.  I think staging is a must in this market and is just as important as pricing it right in order for it to sell in the current market.
Mar 27, 2008 10:07 AM
Fernando Rosado
West Palm Beach, FL
561-906-0050 or 561-840-8950

Great post Brian ! very well addressed the answer. I agree with you totally

Mar 27, 2008 10:19 AM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Craig, I was just about to respond to Brian's comment about the price of a property, then I saw your response....I am in total agreement with you. I am a stager/realtor and correct pricing is the single most important thing that gets pounded into an agents head; however:

CORRECT PRICING IS THE ONE REASON WHETHER A HOUSE SELLS OR NOT.

GREAT STAGING IS THE ONE REASON WHETHER YOU GET TOP DOLLAR OR NOT WHEN IT DOES SELL!!!

Great post---I want to forward this to all the agents in my office. Do I have your permission?

 

Mar 27, 2008 10:20 AM
Heather Chotard
In Style - Edmonton, AB

 Nice to see you Craig!!!!

One of my Realtors who I have partnered with to stage all his listings, said exactly that, "A price reduction is a lazy Realtors only answer"

Heather

Mar 27, 2008 10:32 AM
Kristina Leone
Lionheart Home Staging, LLC - Minneapolis, MN

Well said.

Kristina, KFM Staging & Design - A Minnesota Home Staging Company

Mar 27, 2008 11:34 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic
Well to save some dough and move a plant and possibly get top dollar?. Sounds real good to me. I'm not a stager but i do know presentation is very important. Go to a fine dining restaurant and watch the "staging" of a four course meal. It's in the presentation.
Mar 27, 2008 01:16 PM
Kate Hart
Hart & Associates Staging and Design - Radnor, PA
amen my friend :) kh
Mar 27, 2008 02:01 PM
Christy Powers
Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Pooler, GA
Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent
The price definitely makes a difference. I agree with you completely. You and the other stagers here have done beautiful work. 
Mar 27, 2008 03:19 PM
Joe Virnig
RE/MAX Gold Coast REALTORS, Ventura County, California - Ventura, CA
No Ordinary Joe
There is no doubt home staging makes a difference, but price is king.
Mar 27, 2008 04:40 PM
Jude Sandvall: DreamHomes by Jude
Brokers Guild Classic - Englewood, CO
720-427-1021
Very good information, thank you.
Mar 27, 2008 05:13 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes
Good post. Staging can always help to make a positive difference.
Mar 27, 2008 06:34 PM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com
Pricing is always the key in this business though it doesn't hurt to have a beautiful updated home
Mar 28, 2008 12:52 AM
Gary Barnett
Home Matters - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis
Craig, as you well know Linda's staging strategy is first and foremost "Increase the marketability"  She has always had the philosophy that staging is simply a technique to increase the marketability of a property so that it competes at the highest level it possibly can.  And as far as simply dropping the price.  I think it's time we all buy into the fact that there is a difference between being involved in something vs being committed to something.
Mar 28, 2008 01:01 AM
Lea-Ann Virnig
Lea-Ann's Home Beautiful Staging and Design LLC - San Antonio, TX
Home Beautiful: San Antonionulls Premier , Home Staging Company
Great explanations on what we do.  It's so important for sellers and realtors to understand.
Mar 28, 2008 03:05 AM
Kym Hough
www.Staged-to-Sell - Danville, CA
Staged to Sell East Bay - Danville, CA

Good post Craig. Yes, we are not about making things looking pretty. Sometimes this is a hard concept to get across to new clients. I have the most challenging client right now. I actually turned down the job but the Realtor really wanted us to do it, so we did. The client thinks we have nothing better to do then meet with him and talk about the staging (4 times before) 1 time after. I think he is lonely and has nothing better to do with his time. We have gone over with him until we are blue that we are focusing on the features of the room view, fireplace, etc. not making things pretty. He doesn't get it nor will he ever. Just like in high school the "pretty" girl is not always the first one picked for the softball team. It takes talent and the ability to get the job done. If you simply want pretty there are other avenues to explore. We are here to sell a property, not just to dress up and go to the prom.

Kym

Mar 28, 2008 03:08 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"
I have a property that has been staged, and hasn't sold, which concerned me, I knew it was overpriced, but  the out-of-state owner just found out that it had been overpriced by over $100k+.  He is relisting with a different REA, and bringing it down to where it should be.  The house has had rave reviews, but the REA never told him the reason it was selling was that she had priced it too high.
Mar 28, 2008 12:15 PM
Judy Greenberg
Compass - Long Grove, IL
Compass- Long Grove -Buffalo Grove

You said this so well.... Please call me on Monday- I need our help on a listing in Long Grove.  They are moving out and I want to tell them to leave certain furniture behind. 

Thanks,

Mar 28, 2008 01:32 PM
Renee Pratta
Renewed Rooms - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Renewed Rooms - SC

Always right on target.  It is a marketing tool an when properly priced and presented a winning combination...

 

 

Mar 28, 2008 04:32 PM