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Question for Realtors: What is the right house to stage?

By
Home Stager with Gloria Home Staging, Inc.

            Being a professional home stager, I often speak with realtors about staging their listings. Something I hear regularly is that they will call me when they have the "right house" to stage. As a stager, I of course think that every house could benefit from staging at whatever level the owners can manage, so it puzzles me to hear that there seems to be a category of homes that are not "the right ones."

            As a realtor, what do you consider to be an appropriate home to stage? Conversely, what kinds of things keep a home from being a candidate for staging? I understand that in these times, money to invest in marketing some homes is in short supply, but are there other factors that come into play?

            I am very interested to hear your thoughts on these questions. I really want to help realtors serve their clients and get their homes sold, so I'd like to understand your point of view. Thanks for your input!

Posted by

Gloria Home Staging

www.GloriaHomeStaging.com

                             407-695-0023

         Setting your home apart

Serving the Orlando, Florida area

Comments(6)

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Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

I'm not a realtor, but I think some reasons realtors hesitate are

  • bad experience with previous stager
  • they really are too strapped to spend the $$
  • they are not confident that a stager will not offend their client
  • they think it costs too much, but are afraid to say so
  • they think they can do it themselves adequately

If you have a few realtors that use and trust you, their recommendations and success will spur others on to give you a chance to work your magic!

Nov 04, 2008 12:54 PM
Sharon Alters
ONE Sotheby's International Realty 904-673-2308 - Jacksonville, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Being a realtor, a house that is 'right for staging' is one where - the Sellers are willing to listen to and implement suggestions for staging including painting, etc. - the Sellers have the funds to pay for staging - the Sellers are willing to price the home competitively so it will actually sell, not just be a listing.  There are many Sellers unwilling to properly prepare a home for the market for a number of reasons. Those are the homes that will not sell and would be best taken off the market.

Nov 04, 2008 01:33 PM
Sharon Alters
ONE Sotheby's International Realty 904-673-2308 - Jacksonville, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Being a realtor, a house that is 'right for staging' is one where - the Sellers are willing to listen to and implement suggestions for staging including painting, etc. - the Sellers have the funds to pay for staging - the Sellers are willing to price the home competitively so it will actually sell, not just be a listing.  There are many Sellers unwilling to properly prepare a home for the market for a number of reasons. Those are the homes that will not sell and would be best taken off the market.

Nov 04, 2008 01:33 PM
Laurie Logan
Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Broker Associate - Madison, WI
South Central WI Real Estate

Hi Laurie,

the 'right house to stage' is any house that is not yet sold!  The question is how to get the seller to comply ??

Nov 04, 2008 11:26 PM
Laurie Calhoun
Gloria Home Staging, Inc. - Winter Springs, FL
Seminole County FL Home Stager

Margaret - As you say, I have gotten the distinct impression from some of the realtors I've spoken with that the right house has less to do with the house than with their own history. Occasionally it seems like a polite brush-off. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate your encouraging point of view!

Sharon - You describe a situation where the sellers actually want to sell the house, and yes, staging is part of that. You are one of those excellent realtors who realize this and are truly on the lookout for the "right house" for staging. Way to go!

Laurie - That is the question, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by!

Nov 07, 2008 12:56 PM
Jan Whitlow, ASPM
Coastal Properties Group International - Indian Rocks Beach, FL

Margaret listed what I would call the Top Five Objections.  Overcoming them all boils down to:

  • Educating Realtors & Clients
  • Putting out a Good Great Staging Projects
  • Always putting the Seller first; by that I mean work within their time frame & budget

Someone that doesn't "Get It" and says "No" simply means a Home Staging Professional is closer to a "Yes" move on ... "Next?"

Nov 11, 2008 09:04 PM