Realtor

Here are the most common answers we received from agents when asked why they don’t use staging professionals.

1.  “It’s a hot market, I don’t need to stage, I don’t have the time anyway.”

Shows such as HGTV have made the  public aware of the services that stagers offer.  MLS online has made house shopping easy for buyers.  
– A picture is worth a thousand words.  If you don’t stage your competition will! 


2.  “I can’t afford to do it, I already offer so many other services to my clients and everything cost money”

You can’t afford not to do it!  Sellers are looking for the agent with the best presentation.  Homeowners, on an average, interview 3 agents before making a choice of realtor. What are you going to offer that differentiates you from the rest?

Market results have recently shown that

  • Homes that were staged sold on average in 13.8 days.
  • Homes that were not staged sold on average in 30.9 days.
  • The staged homes realized on average a 6.4% increase over the list price.

Agents that offer clients such market awareness and  have an established relationship with  a company with a proven success record will differentiate themselves from the rest.
~From a 2004 survey by Joy Valentine – Coldwell Banker Broker on 2772 homes in 8 cities


3.  “I have had a bad experience with a stager and I lost the client.”
 
Know, like and trust!  Know your stager before you send them out.  Their history, how long have they been in business? Can they offer references, testimonials?  What credentials do they have?  Can you see samples of their work?  What product are they selling you and your client?  These are questions you should be asking before you hire a stager on your team. 


4.  “I am not so sure the investment in staging is going to sell my vacants.”

Vacant properties have no soul.  Buyers need to imagine the spaces they are going to purchase as their own.  Rooms look smaller when vacant. 

This home had been on the market 3 months

Vacant Listing                      Staged Listing

Hi Connie,

The place looks absolutely awesome! Not overdone and not underdone. Heck, I'm ready to move into it myself! We had the light fixtures changed out and it looks so much better. I'll definitely be working with you again and would strongly recommend that about 90% of our sellers could use some sort of "staging" assistance. I know that I can sell this to people by letting them know that they'll be able to get a better price for their home as well as sell more quickly.

Talk soon,

Cori Coert, Sales Representative
RE/MAX metro-city realty ltd.
Ottawa, ON


Follow-up Email:
Sold after 3 days on market. I've got several listings pending which could use some of your help. Talk soon!   
Cori


5. “Staging costs lots of money”

Ninety percent of our agents use Our Limited Service Plan. We offer this 2 visit program to agents for $250 or less. With this package you are listed as a preferred agent and your listing is posted on our website with a direct link back to you the agent.  Staging should be an investment to you and your clients not an expense and does not have to cost you or your client lots of money.