Does Recommending a Home Staging Consultation Hurt or Help the Reputation of a Real Estate Agent?

As a Home Stager in Fairfield county Connecticut I work with both, real estate agents and home sellers. Recently I received increasingly inquiries from home sellers directly. All these clients had one thing in common – they expressed dissatisfaction with their real estate agents (they all worked with different agents).

But why? They were concerned that their agents did not go beyond the traditional way of marketing their property. These home sellers were desperate to sell their houses fast and at the top price, but they felt that they were just another house on the already long list of real estate inventory in their town. These home sellers understood that something needed to be done to make their most valuable asset stand out from the competition, but were not exactly sure what to do. All of them already de-cluttered, painted and did other things that their agents had recommended to prepare the house for sale. But yet, they knew it was not enough for this tough real estate market. They called Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors for help and got the results they were hoping for – a quick sale at the top dollar.

Here are 3 desperate home seller examples:

Home Seller 1:

Client states: “I am so desperate, I cannot stay in this house any longer. I cannot continue lowering my price – I need to try something else.”

Days on market before our consultation: about 1 year

Occupied House

Our Top 3 Diagnosis:

• Too much de-cluttered. There were no emotional connection points left for buyers to feel home. Needed to add area rugs, accessories, artwork,….
• Personal wallpaper in a couple of rooms to be removed and fresh paint needed.
• A few home repairs.

Our Services: Consultation only – Client executed recommendations based on our consultation report

Result: Sold within 14 days at full asking price.

 

Home Seller 2:

Client states: “We need to finally move on with our lives. We had to push our agent really hard to come up with a different marketing strategy – we wanted to change agent – that’s when he suggested a staging consultation”

Days on market before our consultation: 164

Occupied House

Our Top 3 Diagnosis:

• De-cluttering needed
• Home Improvements and Updating needed – painting of most rooms, trims and kitchen cabinets
• Replacing many of the dated furniture with more modern furniture through furniture rental to appeal to the target buyers

Our Services: Consultation & Staging

Result: Sold within 31 days after staging close to asking price

 

Home Seller 3:

Client states: “My agent wants to list the house for a much lower price than I think it should be listed at. I am not happy with the listing price and want to do what is needed to get the top price.”

Days on market before our consultation: not on the market yet

Vacant House

Our Top 4 Diagnosis:

• Updating of the kitchen
• Updating lighting fixtures
• Fresh wall paint and refinishing floors
• Staging 4 rooms bringing in furniture, accessories,….

Our Services: Consultation & Staging

Result: Listing price was $100,000 higher than originally proposed asking price. Sold within 1 day after staging at full asking price.

 

So the question is, does recommending a Home Staging Consultation hurt or help the reputation of a Real Estate Agent?

Large Cape for Sale in Fairfield

This beautiful large Cape in Fairfield, CT has been staged by Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors and is now available for sale.

The floor plan is versatile and ideal for entertaining, with lots of space that can be used for a grand piano, pool table, family room, media room, library or many other possibilities including an in-laws set up or a live-in nanny.

The large deck features a nice outdoors kitchen and lifestyle.

For more information about the listing click here.

View the video:

Beautiful Large Cape for Sale in Fairfield, CT

This beautiful large Cape in Fairfield, CT has been staged by Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors and is now available for sale.

The floor plan is versatile and ideal for entertaining, with lots of space that can be used for a grand piano, pool table, family room, media room, library or many other possibilities including an in-laws set up or a live-in nanny.

The large deck features a nice outdoors kitchen and lifestyle.

For more information about the listing click here.

See the video:

Home Staging in Fairfield by Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors

Costal Living Lifestyle Home Staging in Stamford, CT– Do You Know Someone Who Wants To Live There?

This beautiful condo located on the top floor overlooks the Stamford Harbor provides peaceful enjoyment away from hectic life. Enjoy a costal life style with this gorgeous view from all main rooms. Have a glass of wine with friends and family while watching the sun set. Close to the center of Stamford and train makes it also a convenient to commute into NYC.

Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors–Home Staging in Stamford, CT

For more information about the property click here:

MLS# 98496002

Las Vegas, I am Coming!

What does Las Vegas have to do with Home Staging? Simple, the Real Estate Staging Association's International Home Stagers Conference is taking place there this Sunday through Tuesday. I am so thrilled to go again this year, especially because I am the first Connecticut Home Stager who ever made it to the finals for an award for the most prestigious awards in the Staging Industry. The winners will be announced in Las Vegas.

Awesome speakers like Matthew Finlason (from the HGTV show "The Stagers"), Jackosn West (from Design Stars season 1) and many other hugely successful Home Stagers from all around the country will be there as well. I can't wait to learn more about the new industry trends and networking with other stagers.

 

Selling your house during the snowy months

Tonight and tomorrow there is another snow storm in the forecast for our area here in Fairfield county, CT. Right after our last storm I was at a client's house for a home staging consultation and made a few observations, which I thought are important to share with home sellers who live in a snowy area.

• Buyers should be directed through the front door, where they get the best first impression of the house (curb appeal as well as entering the house). Therefore, shuffle the snow in front of your house and the walk way to the front door. 

• If the house is located closer to the street and the snow plow pushed the snow to the side of each side of the street, but there is then no longer enough space for any cars to park, make the extra effort to shuffle parking spots. Potential buyers will then be inclined to park in front of the house and take the front entrance. 

• Make sure that the driveway is free of snow, so enough cars can park in your driveway. Once the snow is no longer fresh it gets much harder to remove the snow to accommodate traffic for your Open House visitors. 

• If your driveway is to the side of the house ensure that there is a snow and ice free pathway from there to the front door. Don't lead buyers through the garage and basement into the house just because it is easier. You will loose out on opportunities of a great first impression. Remember, first impressions are formed within the first 10 seconds. 

• Have a door mat on either side of the front door - outside and inside - to get the snow off the visitors' shoes. 

• Clean off the snow from your deck and patio furniture, so buyers and see how large it is and in what condition it is. 

Happy selling!