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I Cashed My Clients Check WITHOUT Losing Sleep! Want To Know Why?

By Teresa Mills Schremm

Home Stager with Looking Fine by Redesign, LLC

September 21, 2008 01:17 AM

I wrote a blog a couple of months ago about feeling guilty when I cashed my clients check. Here is a brief recap of that blog:

I received my client's check for the monthly rental fees, right on time, as usual. I had recently learned that the homeowners had received an offer on their vacant house after only 52 days on the market. A fraction of the time for my area. However, the offer fell through because the house failed the inspection! At that point, I wasn't sure if I should tell my client that with a significant repair issue, all of the staging in the world wouldn't help sell the property. After blogging about this horrible "emotional" decision, I received a huge amount of support and staging wisdom from my fellow ActiveRainers! I was reminded that it wasn't MY decision to make! I was reminded that vacant homes do NOT sell as quickly and for top dollar! Thanks everybody for the "reality check!"

Well, yesterday was ANOTHER emotional day for Looking Fine by Redesign! It wasn't because we cashed another rental check. It wasn't because our wonderful client paid a lot of money to repair the issues that killed the sale. It was because of this:

AND THIS:

We DE-STAGED the house because after only 148 DOM it is ......

The new owners take possession of this great "home" on September 30th!!

While this was an emotional rollercoaster ride for the homeowner, Realtor, and Looking Fine by Redesign, it is just another example that staging works! For all you homeowners out there, when at all possible, make those repairs before you put your home on the market! Why not invest a few hundred dollars and have a HOME INSPECTION done so that you and your Realtor know if there are any potential deal breakers? If you live in the home or if it is vacant, remember to consult with a PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGER to ensure that your home shows at full potential and is appealing to the most number of buyers as possible!

Teresa Mills Schremm is a professional home stager, and owner of Looking Fine by Redesign, in North Olmsted, OH. If you are selling your home in the Cleveland, Cuyahoga/Lorain County, OH, call us today for your home staging consultation! Don't put your home on the market without a "polished presentation." Let's get it SOLD...Together! (440) 655-5831 www.LookingFineByRedesign.com

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Donna Schoby

Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

Teresa, Home Staging and Home Inspections are a must in this market. Congrats on the sale!

Sep 21, 2008 01:23 AM

Teresa Mills Schremm

Looking Fine by Redesign, LLC - North Olmsted, OH

Online Home Staging - Coast to Coast, ASHSR

Thank you, Donna! Yes, staging and inspections go hand in hand. I'm beginning to understand the importance of a homeowner having their home inspected PRIOR to listing. This has been something that has been traditionally done by the buyer, but like staging, it is all about offering a fully prepared "product."

Sep 21, 2008 02:46 AM

Leah J. Armstrong

House to Home ReDesigns & Real Estate Staging Vancouver B.C. - Port Moody, BC

Home Staging Port Moody B.C.

For the $300 or so charge for an inspection report, it puzzles me why a homeowner does not complete an inspection as part of the preparation to sell process. It is one more way to make the house "stand out" by making it easier for the buyer to make an offer. Inspection deal breakers are emotional roller coasters for both the buyer and seller. Who needs the stress? If I was a seller, I would rather know before listing so I could correct a red flag, and maximize my limited time on the "hot list" of fresh listings.

Is anyone having success with sellers ordering the inspection? Please share!

Sep 21, 2008 06:22 AM

Terrylynn Fisher

Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA

HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Sage advice, it takes the balance of all things for staging to work. Staging is the frosting on the cake, the cake has to have a solid foundation and good ingredients. You said it well. Inspections and repairs first, pricing properly and staging the final touches.

Sep 21, 2008 03:56 PM

Leah, you are right...who needs the stress! I don't know how many homeowners are actually having a home inspection done before they sell, and I don't know how many Realtors are recommending it. I do know that it makes total sense! Thanks for commenting.

Terrylynn, What a great analogy! "Cake and frosting." Do you recommend home inspections to your sellers? I think it would be great if this became a "standard." I know that when I sell, a call to a home inspector will be on the top of the list! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

Teresa

Sep 21, 2008 11:31 PM

Tosha Tate-Dickson

Finair Management Group Inc. - South Holland, IL

Congrats Teresa ~ Glad everything worked out for Looking Fine by Design!

Sep 23, 2008 01:11 AM

Kristina Leone

Lionheart Home Staging, LLC - Minneapolis, MN

Congratulations! Pleasant dreams!

Sep 23, 2008 05:27 AM

I Cashed My Clients Check WITHOUT Losing Sleep! Want To Know Why?

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