Real Estate Forums

Thesa · 08-07-2006, 09:56 PM

Ok... I have had a lot of messy sellers - but today after waiting 2 weeks to take interior photos of a new listing - I get there at the time they set - and the place is a pig pen.... I had to try and shoot around the mess - the kids and all the while the seller is thinking they are under priced.

Any suggestions on how to get a seller to clean up? I was pretty blunt and said "if this is how your house is advertised we will not get any showings, I am going to have to not show many photos."

But once the buyers get there... well we all know what will happen... anyone have a suggestion to make them understand this.

LegalHomeForms · 08-15-2006, 02:14 PM

You could print up a quick list of tips that help sell a home ie. how to prepare a home to sell, clean up inside, and out, etc.

I am sure you could find a good article to print off of the internet.

Thesa · 08-16-2006, 01:40 PM

My listing presentation which is left there goes through all that. On our initial walk through I told them and left them a list specifically what needed to be accomplished.... to no avail...

Nickie · 08-25-2006, 02:01 PM

Have you called a Home Stager? Having the Home Stager talk to your client takes you out of the awkward position of getting between your seller and their things.

The Stager is trained to deal specifically with this situation. They will come meet with the sellers armed with before and after photos and statistics that will "show them the money". A Staging Consultation is very affordable for this type of situation.

If you need a referral, pm me.

Missouri Real Estate Pro · 09-25-2006, 07:32 AM

Who pays for the Home Stager? The client or us? Do you hire a company that works for your office only or is there one Home Stager company per town that does home staging for all RE offices? I have never heard of this, but I guess the big question is, do they work?

Nickie · 09-26-2006, 09:26 PM

In my experience, Staging definitely works!

In general, the homeowners pay for the Staging. They are ones who stand to benefit the most from the results. Statistics show that Staged homes sell faster and for more money than non-staged homes, irregardless of the market.

I do have instances where the agents pay for the Staging however. In some cases, the homeowner will make an agreement with the agent that once the home is sold, the seller will reimburse the agent for the cost. I hate to see this happen, because as we all know, there is no guarantee the home will sell. The seller is not forced to accept an offer, so the agent is not guaranteed a successful close of escrow no matter how hard they work or how much they invest in a transaction.

Staging a vacant home is like moving twice - with the help on an interior decorator. So effective Home Staging is not free. But when a vacant home is professionally Staged, it definitely has a major impact on buyers. The telltale signs of a great Home Staging is when people walk in the door and say "Wow!" - but they don't stop there. They keep on going. Staging is different than Interior Design or Interior Decorating in that the focus is on showcasing the home - not the stuff. The furniture is placed to draw buyers in, to complement a home's best features, to make awkward spaces feel usable. The goal is to sell the home for top dollar quickly.

But when it comes to a Staging Consultation for an occupied property, it is more common for an agent to provide this service to their client as part of their listing package. The Consultation is an affordable and very effective way to help the sellers get their home market ready without putting the agent in the uncomfortable position of talking to their client about packing up, getting rid of or cleaning up their homes. Additionally, Stagers are trained to make the best use of what people already have in their homes and will help them to get their homes show ready, quickly and affordably.

Once you find a Stager that you have success with, you will want to use them on all of your listings. The agents that I work with tell me that they do not consider me as a referral - they consider me an integral part of their marketing plan to get their listings sold. What a compliment!

I hope you can find a Home Stager that will work well for you. If you need any referrals, let me know. I may be able to get you a few names. I recommend that you talk to a few people, find someone you like, visit some of the properties they have Staged, talk to some of their clients, and find out their success rate. Home Staging is increasing in popularity and there are a lot of new Stagers out there, just be sure the one you work with is one who is professional, creative, knowledgable, knows what will get the home sold and is someone you can count on.

And yes, Stagers work with different clients, different real estate agents. There can be several Stagers in your area. Finding one that gets the job done for you is what you are looking for.

REMAX LV · 11-17-2006, 04:36 PM

Nothing is more annoying then showing a home in which is a total mess! I have seen some really bad ones here in the Las Vegas real estate market, with everything from literal dirt on the floor to beds not made, etc.

Las Vegas Homes · 01-25-2007, 03:15 PM

Yes, I would suggest a stager as well. It is a tasteful way to get your point across to your sellers. It seems as if you are adding to the home, when in reality you are saving it!

Thesa · 01-29-2007, 08:55 AM

Well the listing expired and I let it go.... sent them a note thanking them for allowing me the opportunity and told them that if they were serious about selling with me or anyone else the biggest feedback I got was the house was a mess.... that it may be best to list it again once they have had a chance to get the home tidy -

Las Vegas Real Estate · 02-01-2007, 04:38 PM

I think that you did the correct thing in the situation in which you were put into! Kill them with kindness and then get your point across tactfully

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!