Home > Blogs > Becky Fields Home Staging and ReDesign > Becky's Blog on Home Staging

Do I sound confident or conceited?

By Becky Fields Home Staging and ReDesign

Home Stager with Becky Fields Home Staging and ReDesign

April 24, 2007 04:26 AM

After a month of planning and advertising, I had my first public home staging seminar. It was free, held at my local library on a Sunday afternoon and 12 people showed up including my first client. Although I was a little disappointed, figured 12 is better than 0. (My client was there to give testimony about me and my service and to answer any question.)

After my 60 minute presentation, I asked those attending to complete my evaluation. I received high marks for my presentation, material, organization and overall presentation. (Although I was nervous as heck, no one seemed to notice). At the end of the evaluation, there were 2 questions I was greatly interested in.

Would you recommend the staging process to a friend?
If you were selling your house, would you consider using my service?

Everyone asnwered yes to both questions but one person said no, they would not use my service because "I think I am plenty qualified".

This got me thinking. Why does this person and others (Sellers, Realtors) think they are more qualified than I am when it comes to staging their house? Do they think because they have watched the TV shows, read a book or article they know more than I? Hmmm...

Well I am currently writing my May newsletter and this is what I was thinking of putting on the front. Tell me what you think?

"If you are selling your house, you need my help. Yes, you NEED my help. I know this sounds presumptuous but it's the truth. Most homeowners believe they can stage their own house. They feel after watching the home staging shows they know what it takes to effectively prepare their house for sale. They assume they know how to make it stand out from similar houses on the marketplace. In reality, most homeowners and their agents don't truly know what it takes to prepare their house for sale.

How do I know? I visit Open Houses and tour Realtor sites, viewing photos of current listings. What I see are cluttered, dated, personal, easily forgotten houses. This is what buyers are seeing too. They are not impressed. Buyers are looking for "turn key" houses, where they can just move in and start living. They don't want a house they have to "fix up" before they can move in. When you bought your house, you brought in your belongings, personality and style and turned it into your home. Now that you are selling your home, you need to turn it back into a house so buyers can imagine their belongings, personality and style, turning your house into their home.

As a home staging consultant and home stylist, I know what it takes to objectively prepare and style a house for sale, making it appeal to a variety of buyers while creating an emotional connection. I am not emotionally attached to your home, so I can see past the dirt, clutter, bold colors, dated and mediocre appearance of a house that turn buyers off. I have an ability to visualize the potential of a house and I know what it takes to turn your home into a house that will impress buyers. I have taken Larry Hite's Home Inspection course, so I know what repairs need to be completed to give a house a well maintained appearance. I have had many conversations with home appraisers, so I know what upgrades are cost effective and increase the property value of a house. I am always reading and learning about the latest trends in the industry. Home Staging is my profession, not my hobby.

Staging is a simple and inexpensive investment to secure your house's equity. Before placing your house on the market or before lowering your asking price, call me for a free "mini staging makeover". I can show you how I can help bring your house to the bargaining table. Let me help you sell your house."

So would this be too much for sellers to handle and would it be the kiss of death for me? Or would sellers appreciate my straight forwardness?

Note:

Larry Hite is a local, trusted, expert Home Inspector with a bimonthly newspaper column. He is now training other home inspectors and I took his course to find out what the home inspectors are looking for.
In my city alone, (No. CA, 2 zip codes) there are almost 800 houses on the market with more being listed weekly. Surrounding cities have almost as many. Last year at this same time, listings were half.

P.S. Want to acknowledge Craig S. for the "home turning back into a house" line. Hope you don't mind I used it :)

Thanks for any feedback.

Comments(22)

Comment

Show All Comments Sort:

Adam Tarr

MavRealty - Phoenix, AZ

PC -GRI, ABR, CDPE, RSPS, ePro - Designated Broker

There are always going to be people who think they can do our jobs better than us....you can't win them ALL over!

Apr 24, 2007 05:02 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

12 is actually a great showing for seminars, when you are not a house hold name! I've held seminars for as little as 3 and will still do it. It actually makes it easier with a smaller group.

Apr 24, 2007 05:21 AM

Darlene Raymond

Staged Right - Beverly Hills, FL

I'm so glad you brought this up, my partner and I were just dicussing this matter today and how to approach realtors and sellers, that think clean and neat = STAGE....... We both feel we need to take a more confident approach when they tell us their homes or listings show well, we've seen the listing sheets and pics, yes they are clean and neat but thats where it ends...You've given us a lot to think about...Thanks

Apr 24, 2007 06:58 AM

Becky Fields Home Staging and ReDesign

Becky Fields Home Staging and ReDesign - Tracy, CA

I am just amazed that the majority of sellers and Realtors can't see the advantage of our service. We come in as an independent 3rd party to help them. When I walk into an Open House and see how the house is prepared, I just want to shake the seller or agent and say "Don't you see how this house looks to buyers? Can't you see it has not style?" Neat and clean is the bare minimum and I've seen houses that are not that clean or neat!

So should I put my newsletter..."If you are selling your house, you need my help." draft or revised it so it sounds a little less "harsh"?

Apr 24, 2007 09:49 AM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Becky - I don't think that sounds too harsh.

And... as others have said, you can't please them all.

Kathy

Apr 24, 2007 10:54 AM

Melissa Marro

Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL

Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

Becky, I think it sounds great... I did find one point that might have been a little harsh and may potentially offend, "so I can see past the dirt, clutter, bold colors, dated and mediocre appearance of a house that turn buyers off"

I highlighted, mediocre appearance - Most people will be offended by the word mediocre. While I won't argue that it is true, finding a nicer way to say this will probably get you better response. Maybe something like..... "so I can see past the dirt, clutter, bold colors, and dated furnishings that make an average home a turn off to buyers."

I do think you sound confident, not conceited or cocky. Nice article.

Melissa Marro, www.StagingAndRedesign.com - become a member today!

Apr 24, 2007 11:24 AM

Lori Gilmore

One Savvy Move - Joliet, IL

One Savvy Move Home Staging

Becky - I think you wrote a great article. I do agree with Melissa, people are emotionally attached to those dated furnishings (I have no idea why!) and mediocre could be insulting.

I also get alot of push back from Realtors in my area, many have been doing business for so long the same way that change just ain't gonna happen! But I am in a densely populated area, as it sounds like you are, and there will be some that come around. Focus on the teachable ones! Let the others throw signs in yards and use crappy listing photos (if they bother to use photos at all!) The teachable ones will appreciate what you do, a buzz will begin, and your seminars will be bursting at the seams! Although I think 12 is great for a first go around!

Keep on keepin' on!

Apr 24, 2007 01:05 PM

Yvonne Root

rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ

Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Becky, Your ability to put the language on paper without spelling mistakes and grammatical errors is very good. I think you have done a fine job. Over all I think you have done a good job of presenting what you want to say. I wonder if Most homeowners believe they can stage... could be changed to Some homeowners... I think it would be a way of getting your audience in your court. They are partnered with you in the concept that some (you know the ones who don't have a clue -- not the ones who are reading your newsletter) think they can do it. But your audience is much wiser than that. They agree, they need you.

I agree with Melissa about this phrase I can see past the dirt, clutter, bold colors, dated and mediocre appearance of a house that turn buyers off. Most people don't see their own clutter or dirt as being dirt and clutter. It is just their stuff. Otherwise they probably really could stage themselves. Even the "bold colors, dated and mediocre appearance" may not be what people think when they think of their own "stuff." Perhaps something as simple as -- I can see past the problem areas of . . . This is all just MHO. I think you have a great message to get out. Also I think it was wise of you to ask for other opinions before making the final decision about your content because you obviously wrote this with your heart. GOOD JOB!

Apr 24, 2007 01:38 PM

Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging

2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON

Thanks Becky and all who commented. I've just gotten a bit more hutzpa to say to agents and home owners, no the house is NOT staged.

Apr 24, 2007 05:18 PM

Sherry Flanagan

Desert Chic Interiors - Vail, AZ

Hi Becky! I think the article sounds good. I would avoid using the words dirt, dated and mediocre as they may come across as being offensive to clients. I' m new to the world of home staging and I've "stolen" a few clients from more seasoned home stagers in my area, simply because I managed to compliment at least one thing when it came to their personal choice of decor.

Apr 25, 2007 04:46 AM

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

I'll be the dissenting voice here & that is ok, too. I would tone it down a lot. There are ways to say things and there are gentler ways. I didn't count but there are sure a number of "I"s in the article. What you are saying is all true but you want to win these people over too- at the least, not drive them off.

Apr 25, 2007 05:02 AM

Anonymous

Becky Fields

Thanks everyone for all your feedback.

I have changed the sentence, "I am not emotionally attached to your home, so I can see past the dirt, clutter, bold colors, dated and mediocre appearance of a house that turn buyers off." to "Because I'm not emotionally attached to your house, I can see past the problem areas that turn buyers off. I know how to turn any negatives into positives and turn your home into a house that will impress buyers."

Kathleen- I have used a lot of "I" because I want sellers to know what I can do for them. If anyone knows of another way to convey this message, I would love to hear it.

Again, thanks for the feedback. Love to hear it.

Apr 25, 2007 09:21 AM

#14

Deanne Knutter

Turning Leaf Equities, LLC - Kansas City, MO

Becky - Do people think they can stage houses themselves because of the way we explain it? I hear stagers talk about cleaning, decluttering and depersonalizing. As a lay person, I would think "I can do that". I rarely hear a stager talk about the psychology of eye movement in staging. About how subconsciously moving the buyers eyes through the property is what creates the right "feel". About the proper use of color and pattern in relationship to the room. Most people can NOT do this properly. This is where our talent comes in to play. By raising our vernacular, we raise the perceived level of our expertise AND the demand for our services.

Just some thoughts that have helped me.

Apr 25, 2007 09:43 AM

Yvonne Root

rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ

Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Becky, This sounds like a good challenge. Perhaps these changes would remove some of the "I" problems.

I know this sounds presumptuous... Perhaps this sounds presumptous. . .

How do I know? From where does this information come?

I visit . . . Part of my job is . . . (Well there is a "my" in this one -- is that OK?)

I know what it takes . . . Because of passion, training and skill, Home Stagers know what . . .

Because I'm not emotionally . . . As a neutral third party my expertise is in finding the very best aspects of your home and high lighting them in such a way potential buyers will be drawn to your home. (The "my" is here again. But the thing I left out is saying anything about the problem areas -- that is just a personal quirk with me. I don't mention the words "Problem areas" to my clients unless they point out something using those words or if they specifically ask. Again, that is my quirk -- I know others use those words without having a problem.)

I have an ability to visualize the potential of a house and I know what it takes to turn your home into a house that will impress buyers. The ability to visualize ... and the ability to turn your... will impress buyers is a skill gained with training and time.

I have taken Larry Hite's Home Inspection course, so I ... Inspection course therefore know what ... (The first "I' just had to stay.)

I have had many conversations with home appraisers, so I know what . . . In the course of many conversations . . . my understanding of which repairs. . .

I am always reading and learning . . . Through continued learning my expertise is enhanced. . .

I can show you how I can help bring your . . . Allow me to show you . . .

There may be an easier way to change all this. You could write this in the 3rd person and just treat it like a reporter would. Use your last name everywhere you have put the word I. That might work.

Thanks for letting me have fun with this. It is entertaining to play with words!

Apr 25, 2007 10:16 AM

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Yes, Yvonne - that is what I meant - nicely done.

Schmooze them.

Apr 25, 2007 10:35 AM

Yvonne Root

rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ

Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Kathleen, Like I said, that was fun. But did you see what Deanne said. She is so right. I hope she blogs on the topic. We could really have fun with that too. Think about all the words we could use to boost our credibility.

Apr 25, 2007 11:08 AM

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Go ahead Deanne - blog it.

Oh, big words -perceived-vernacular-psychology.

I like" moving their eyes" - do I know how to do that - sure.

Now you are stretching me - make sure I end up taller, ok?

Apr 25, 2007 04:16 PM

Becky Fields Home Staging and ReDesign

Becky Fields Home Staging and ReDesign - Tracy, CA

Yvonne - Your changes sound great. Thanks for helping me out

Apr 26, 2007 03:51 PM

Yvonne Root

rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ

Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Oh Becky, this was fun for me. I love word games and messing with the language. If you can use any of the things I played with that pleases me. Thank YOU.

Apr 26, 2007 04:04 PM

Pam Faulkner

Faulkner House Interior Redesign - Herndon, VA

Room Transformations Fairfax & Loudoun Counties VA

Becky, it's almost a year later. What was the response to your email?

Apr 17, 2008 10:30 AM