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Agents, Do You Partner With a Stager? Why or Why Not?

By Patsy Overton

Home Stager with Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia

March 14, 2009 01:20 AM

Okay, there it is. I've put it out there. The burning question that's on every stager's mind. First, let me explain my position and where I'm coming from.

Two years ago I became a licensed agent. I immediately signed up with a local RE office and began my work as a Realtor. In the meantime, I realized quickly that what I REALLY wanted to do was to stage homes. So once I settled into the RE routine, I set out to become an accredited stager. I've been working as such ever since and have never looked back. RE is not my calling; staging is. The point I'm making is that I know the business from both sides.

I don't know that I've ever run across an agent who doesn't "get" staging, although I hear that comment from time to time. They typically know all the benefits - that their listings will show better, the homes will sell quicker and for more money, the agent will become known in the area as being the one whose listings ALWAYS look great, etc. - so with all that being the case, why do you not partner with a stager on all your listings?

Based on your comments and answers, I would like to compile a list of the top 10 reasons agents DO and DO NOT use stagers for their listings. In doing so, hopefully we will be able to bridge the gap between the two services - selling and staging - and work together more frequently in such a way as to benefit not only agents and stagers, but also the homeowners! After all, it's all about getting the home sold, right?

In closing, I'm leaving you with a couple of before and after shots of a recent staging project. Thanks in advance for your input!

before After

Re-Blog

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Nancy Robertson

Signature Style Staging - Dallas, TX

RESA

Patsy, I'm interested in seeing the responses you get on this topic! I, too would like to know why agents don't partner with a professional stager on all their listings.

Mar 14, 2009 08:49 AM

Patsy Overton

Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

Hi Nancy - Yes, this comes up again and again. I hope that some realtors will comment.

Mar 14, 2009 10:33 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Where are the Realtors? I would like to hear the responses too. Your photos show a transformation from 1980 to 2009. Nice work.

Mar 14, 2009 12:13 PM

Patsy Overton

Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

Sharon - I hope they'll show for roll call! Stay tuned...

Mar 14, 2009 12:16 PM

Gina Zimmerman

North Eastern Group Realty - Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne Real Estate

I am a realtor and also a stager (ASP). I have gotten lots of listings from people because of my staging consultations. Unfortunately, my clients often don't want to pay for someone to do the work -- and I can't do the hours of work for them!

Mar 14, 2009 12:37 PM

Patsy Overton

Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

Gine - Finally, a comment from a realtor! Thank you! Do you work more as a stager or realtor? As I read on a blog yesterday, I think you and I are both "Stagents." I've been called worse!

Mar 14, 2009 12:46 PM

Please Delete Account Please Delete Account

Please Delete Account - Barton City, MI

Patsy, Thanks for opening up and asking the question. We West Michigan ASPs have been wondering if we should be marketing to homeowners instead of Realtors. Perhaps your responses will answer our question. Please bring on your answers, Realtors...

Mar 14, 2009 03:03 PM

Patsy Overton

Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

Heidi - In this market, I think we need to be marketing to homeowners, agents, stagents, and basically anyone who can fog a mirror.

Mar 15, 2009 04:35 AM

Leanne Zumbrunnen

Z Touch Design Services - Lenexa, KS

Wow, light on the realtors comments but boy do your pictures show the benefit of removing wallpaper. What a difference!

Mar 15, 2009 05:48 PM

Patsy Overton

Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

Leanne - Since posting this blog, I've been told that this topic has been blogged before. That would explain so few realtors weighing in. Yes, just taking down the wallpaper was enough to transform this space.

Mar 16, 2009 12:28 AM

Lori Donegan

Ready 2 Stage - Cleveland, TN

I would love to know the comments to the previous blog. Can you tell me how to find it? It's a great idea.....missed the first one.

Mar 16, 2009 12:58 PM

Patsy Overton

Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

Lori - I never took the time to do a search on it, but was told that even with all the blogging on the topic, there was very little response from the agents, so I don't know that it would tell us much.

Mar 16, 2009 01:14 PM

Lori Donegan

Ready 2 Stage - Cleveland, TN

Maybe there isn't a reason. They don't use a stager and they don't know why! It is extremely hard to convince them....I am quickly realizing that. Any tips that you can offer would help us all--since you are a Realtor/Stager.

Mar 16, 2009 01:30 PM

Patsy Overton

Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

Lori - HHhhhmmmmmmm... As I mentioned in my blog, all the agents I know "get" staging, so that's not the problem. Since staging today has increased visibility, thanks to HGTV, if the market were better I honestly think we'd be picking up more business from realtors; but they hesitate to pay for the consultations since there is still no guarantee they will be able to sell the property. The homeowners don't want to pay for it because, initially, they don't see a need for staging. After all, even though every other listed home on the block is sitting there, "My home will sell!" They are typically shocked when it doesn't; then they are ready to stage. I picked up a good bit of business in January from homeowners whose houses have been listed for 6, 12 or even 18 months without a sale. At that point they are saying, "What have I got to do to unload this thing?" So, in that regard, yes, we should be going after homeowners, but what's the method? One staging company I'm aware of leaves "door hangers" (like for motel rooms that say "Do Not Disturb") on the doors of listed homes. I really like that idea, but haven't tried it yet.

Another thought is this; I personally have been frustrated with stagers I know who totally depend on the realtors for their business. The agents are out there clawing for every customer, so why aren't we? Why should we just sit around and wait for them to pitch us something? I think sometimes that is aggravating to agents.

Those are just a couple of things that come to mind. I hope that's helpful.

Mar 16, 2009 11:43 PM

Lori Donegan

Ready 2 Stage - Cleveland, TN

Patsy---such great advice and opinions. I really think that I am relying too much on Realtors and not focusing enough on home sellers. I am going to beef up my home seller advertising. I think the article that is about to come out in our Spring Home Improvement edition will help to educate. Basically, that is really the problem here. Most people still don't know what staging is!! I have tried the door hanger ads and have received one call from it, but I think that I will start doing more of those. I have basically hung those on FSBOs and not those that are already listed with an agency. Somehow I felt like I might be stepping on some toes....but that isn't true at all. Those that have been on the market for a while are the ones that are in real need of staging help. Thank you so much for helping my eyes to see things in a little different light. I am motivated to seek biz outside of the Realtor arena. Thanks for your reply!!

Mar 17, 2009 12:32 AM

Patsy Overton

Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

Lori - I'm so glad that was helpful. I think we ALL tend to rely on realtors too much for our business. Be sure to let us know if you hit on anything in particular that works well. Good luck!

Mar 17, 2009 12:42 AM