Staging New Hampshire

A little over a year ago, I joined a BNI group.  Business Network International is a professional organization whose primary purpose is to exchange qualified business referrals.  For those of you who are not familiar with the organization, chapters meet weekly and each week members have the opportunity to do a sixty second presentation to the group.  The purpose of the presentation is to educate the other members about your business and what kind of referrals you would like to receive.

When I first started, I was really intimidated by doing this little speech and found it difficult to come up with different things to say each week. 

 It has become much easier for me so I would like to help other stagers, new to BNI, by posting some examples of my Sales Manager Minute. 

Feel free to edit and use at your meeting.

EXAMPLE 1:

I'm Sharon, with Sharon Tara Transformations.

 I'm a professional home stager.  I assist sellers in the preparation of their house for sale. 

 Several months ago many sellers took their house off the market or let their listing expire, intending to relist in the Spring.  They did this because when a house does poorly on the market, sellers will blame the season, they also blame the market or most commonly their realtor. 

The real reason their house hasn't sold is usually the condition and presentation of the house.

A good referral for me is sellers who have already tried to sell and failed.  Sellers who would like some assistance when they relist so that they can avoid repeating the same mistakes and failing again. 

  Sharon Tara Transformations...Creative and Unique Solutions One Room At A Time

I'll share more examples in future posts. 

 I hope this helps other stagers who may be feeling the way I did when I first joined BNI. 

If you are a BNI member and would like to share an example of one of your "Sales Manager Minutes" please add it to the comment section.

If you aren't familiar with BNI, you should visit a local chapter.  They only allow one member per occupation so you have no competition within the group.  It has been a very positive experience for me.

Several months ago many New Hampshire sellers took their houses off the market or let their listings expire, intending to relist in the Spring. 

Spring is fast approaching.

If you are one of those sellers whose first attempt at finding a buyer was a failure, you may want to consider a different approach this time. 

 As Dr. Phil would say, "you need to do an autopsy of your past experience" in order to avoid the same negative outcome. 

 Before you list your house, take a good hard look at what you did the first time and what you need to do differently this time in order to achieve a more successful result.  

Evaluate your Realtor's performance and determine whether you should relist with them or find a new Realtor.   This is tricky...Sellers tend to blame poor results on the Realtor, when they are not the responsible factor.  You need to be honest...did they recommend home staging and you didn't go along with it?  Did they tell you your price was too high and you didn't listen?  Maybe the problem wasn't the Realtor, maybe it was you not taking their professional advice.

Consider Price and Condition more seriously this time.  Your price will determine which buyers will consider your house.  Price is not to be determined by what you need to get or what you want to get.  Price is determined by the market and your competition on the market. 

 Condition will determine whether buyers will make an offer.  It  is what sets you apart from the competition.  It's what makes you memorable.

Price puts you in the pool, condition determines whether you get to swim.

Do not list until the house is 100 % Show Ready.  The first two weeks is when you have your best shot at getting closest to your asking price.  You want to make the best possible impression at this time.
Most buyers start their search for a new home on the Internet.  It is crucial that your house has an appealing online presence.  The pictures used for the MLS will determine how many calls for showings you receive. 

 If you intend to list your house for the Spring market, you need to start preparing it now.  

For more detailed information on preparing your house for sale :

Home Staging Advice Made Simple - Step 1 - How To Declutter

Create Sensory Appeal With Home Staging

Home Staging Tip - Hiding Those Ugly Cell Phone Chargers

Moving The Furniture Could Mean Moving Out Sooner

If You Are Serious About Selling, Don't Try Home Staging

Home Staging 101...The Big Furniture Goes In The Bigger Room

When It Comes To Wrapping, How Does Your Package Measure Up?

Good News:  Home Staging Is Not A Common Practice In NH

What A Difference A Light Makes