Recently I met with a Realtor that called me for a bid on a Temecula, CA vacant property. She understood the benefits of staging but had never used staging before. This property had previously been on the market for many months. The Realtor had gotten the listing one week ago and was trying to figure out why the property hadn't gotten an offer.
Upon entering the vacant property I viewed this.....
A sad blue vacant Living Room with a lonely chair and dated window treatments.
Then I saw this...
A sad blue vacant Dining Room with more dated window treatments.
The Realtor then asked me if she thought the home seller needed to change the carpet. I didn't hold back and told her without a doubt YES! The carpet was dating the house and potential buyers would have to start their own "To Do" list. I also told her that the dated window treatments should be removed. She said those treatments were from 2 owners ago back in 1989!
Well the home seller wanted to stage the property AS IS and didn't want to hassle with the carpet change and was willing to offer a $10,000 discount.
Well, I wasn't comfortable staging the "blue" house so I called a flooring company that I use all the time and had them give a bid on the carpet. The home seller loved the bid and agreed to change the carpet for 1/2 the price of the carpet discount!!!
A few days before I was set to stage (but still no signed contract in hand...because the client is out of the area) the Realtor called me and said I have some good news for me and some not so good news for you. The house got an offer! I was thrilled for her and told her that even though I didn't get the job my goal is the same as hers...to get the house SOLD!
Am I disappointed I didn't get to stage...yes, a part of me is sad. Am I glad I was able to help her and her seller...absolutely! :)
Sometimes a little staging goes a long way!
Contact Janice at 1st Stage Property Transformations of Murrieta Temecula for a home staging estimate.
| Janice Sutton | Home Stager | 1st Stage Property Transformation Dir 951-704-0597 | Email | Website |
1st Stage Property Transformations
Janice, you have the right attitude to be successful in any business!!
Best regards from Charlottesville!
Charles McDonald
Rosario - I will never forget this goal. Unlike many other services used by Realtors to prepare a home for sale (appraiser, electrician, flooring etc..) they do not really care if the house sells. Home Stagers understand that their goal is to get the house SOLD. We, like Realtors have a reputation to uphold. :)
Jackson - Thank you very much. I give my all to every job because I truly love what I am doing. As for the Realtor, I haven't heard back from her yet. I have left her a message asking if I could take "after" pictures with the new carpet in the home. No answer. She is on my list of things to do when I finish my current staging job.
Danielle - Thank you. Yes, I am very fortunate to have a career that I love! I always tell people that I finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up!
Carole - You are so sweet. Thank you for the kind words. I hope to hear from this Realtor again but if not that is OK too. There are plenty more to help.
Charles - You make me smile. If you were to ask me 3 years ago if I would be owning my own business I would respond "No." Now....look at me go! I couldn't be happier.
Janice
You are incredibly passionate about your job and it clearly shows. I think my favorite part of your post is that you are very happy for your client even though you won't get paid at the end of the day. It's so true, by the end of the day, it's the most important thing to get the home sold ;)
Cheers,
Cindy
Cindy - Thank you for your kind words. I am very passionate about my job and company. I always say that if you love what you do, you will be very successful! We are so blessed to love what we do. :)
Jason - Glad the AR Stager's were able to help you understand the importance of staging. You are 1 step ahead of your competition!
Doesn't it feel good when success comes from your advice? Congrats!
Tom - Awww shucks...you made me blush! Nobody has ever done that for me. It is amazing how much you can read from my blog. You are 110% correct! I am a home stager because I love helping people and I want to share my gift.
Tina - It feels great. I am so happy I was able to help.
Diane - You sound like my husband. :) You may be right. I never charge for a vacant estimate. Something to think about....but I always say "If I could do this for free I would!" I guess this time I did.
Hi Janice,
I have actually HAD to stage a vacant house with horrible blue carpeting which the owner WOULD NOT change, however, I'm happy to report that the house DID sell! I believe in my heart that the rental furniture helped to make that rug look much more respectable!
VAL