Most sellers have no idea what to expect from a home staging consult. They certainly don't expect the condition of the house to be worse off after the staging.
When I leave a seller's house, after a home staging consultation, the condition of the house is usually much worse off than when I arrived. When I walk out the door, I leave the seller armed with a to-do list and piles of items to be dealt with. Pictures are removed from walls and knick knacks are removed from shelves and furniture is pushed into the foyer to be donated or sent to storage. Dusty silk flower arrangements, musical instruments, magazines and stuffed animals are covering the dining room table.
I was working with a client recently and we were upstairs in the bedroom. The daughter came home and ran up the stairs to find her mother. She wanted to know who had "ransacked" the house?
I raised my hand and proudly announced "that would be me!"
Unlike the home staging shows on TV,
real life staging does not create a fabulous showhouse in an hour.
I don't walk into a house and wave a magic wand
and transform the 1980's decor and yellowed wallpaper
like a fairy godmother transforms pumpkins.
I walk through the house and point out every single thing that needs to go and needs to be changed. I explain the importance of perceived value. I rearrange the furniture in each room to define space and function. I educate on the red flags I see, and the wrong messages that could be sent to buyers.
It is then up to the homeowner to complete my list of improvements, including the removal of all the items I have designated as needing to go.
I tend to leave behind an overwhelmed seller with a house that looks like a mini tornado has struck.
Now, here's the good news...
Yes, they are overwhelmed, but they are empowered because they have a list and they know exactly what it is they need to do. They understand what is necessary in order to appeal to as many buyers as possible. Once educated and armed with this information, most sellers become very motivated to complete the task and once they do, I can return and put on the final touches.
I've had several calls lately from sellers, including one who is a Realtor, who didn't think they needed much help.
They only needed a "quick consult" because they thought they already knew what needed to be done to prepare their house.
Much to their surprise...Tornado Tara struck and showed them that they had much more to do than they thought.
Hiring a home stager is very important. Working extremely hard at following the stager's advice is even more important. Don't get discouraged by what seems like an overwhelming amount of work to prepare your house for sale. Your stuff has to be dealt with and removed when you sell, and removing it prior to listing will make the sale happen sooner.
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Hi Sharon!
In my market we don't have too many stagers, people just dont seem to need them here. WRONG! I think we, as Realtors, here in my little market are the stagers. I do the same thing, I gather a list and expect it done. If it's not I will go to their house and do it myself! :)
-Lisa
Hi Sharon. I think a great stager like yourself brings common sense and stays within a budget for a transformation. Everyone has to be realistic and not expect miracles. Great post.
Tornado Tara...that's fun. I don't usually touch their things during the consult because normally the agent has hired me and often the seller's are dubious about my presence. IF I can quickly gain their trust then I go to work immediately but those times are the exceptions. Good for you Sharon!
Its a delicate situation,,,,, people seem to be immune to their clutter and mess. It has to go! The home that they want to sell must emerge and be staged to create desire!
Tornado Tara, Too cool!
Thanks for a great post, Jess
Lisa: Be careful not to let it get out that you will do the work if they don't. They just might let you do it all! Thanks!
Gary: Sometimes it feels like a miracle is needed! Thanks for the kind words, Gary.
Ginger: I do whatever can be done at the moment...every job is different of course, sometimes it involves moving a lot and sometimes nothing is moved.
Jess: Well said! Thanks for your input. I love your phrase "Staged to create desire"
Tornado Tara--well said!! I really like your use of the word "empowerment" for the homeowner, once they are armed with the knowledge and To Do List provided by your consultation. Great insight!
Excellent post Sharon. This just hits the nail on the head. I would love to see Tornado Tara in action empowering her clients! I am sure it is a sight to behold! Thank you for sharing - this was a great way to elaborate on what clients feel!
Sharon ~ I've worked with lots of clients who seem overwhelmed at the beginning of our consultation but by the time they've listened to what needs to be done before listing ... it's one of two reactions. The really motivated ones are delighted that they have a detailed Action Plan to follow; and then there are some who become even more overwhelmed. In that case, we enlist their Agent and their family members to jump in and help. In the end, both types are THRILLED with the outcome!
Isn't that the truth, it sometimes takes, weeks or even months for a homeowner to properly get their home ready.
Sharon "The Tornado" Tara, what a fun visual image! Now that's what I call a HANDS ON staging consulttion!
"Explaining perceived home value"...great script Sharon and another great blog article!
Julie: Knowledge is power, right? It makes such a difference when you have someone to tell you exactly what needs to be done.
Sheila: It's usually the husband or kids coming home in the middle or at the end that see all the mess and stuff piled up and can't understand that I am supposed to be helping. I used to feel bad leaving them with such a mess but then I realized...they are the ones who accumulated all the stuff in the first place.
Maureen: I have seen some Realtors step up and really help out, boxing up and moving stuff, moving furniture...whatever it takes. They really do earn their money!
Cindy: Some sellers will take a long time, but I've been lucky and amazed to see some that go to town and really follow every suggestion within a weeks time. It is a wonderful thing to see when they are really motivated and won't stop until it is ready for it's pictures.
Janna: Obviously, I would prefer not to have to lift a finger and just point out what needs to be done. That isn't the case. It is very hands on work and some of the furniture I've moved scares me when I think about it!
Cathy: Most sellers today don't understand what perceptions buyers form based on closet content and cabinet organization. They are very surprised when I explain the psychology behind the staging.
Well, I am soooooooooooooooo disappointed in you after reading this sentence: "I don't walk into a house and wave a magic wand and transform the 1980's decor and yellowed wallpaper like a fairy godmother transforms pumpkins." LOL
Russell: I'm sorry that I ruined your perception of me! You go right ahead and continue thinking of me as a wand waving super hero if you want to! Thanks!
Excellent post, Tornado Tara! How true that the situation usually has to get "worse" first in order to get better when it comes to home staging. And I like your statement about "empowering" overwhelmed home sellers. Professional home staging advice is as close to a magic wand as home sellers will get I think. Keep working your magic!
Mary: Thanks! I like your thinking! I'll continue to do my best.
Hello Tornado Sharon, LOL...After reading this well written blog I see we work very much alike. I am a hands on consultant that leaves piles of stuff in hopes of it will be too much trouble putting it all back.
But I have to say actually moving the items during the time I'm there is much more effective and it does give the client a clearer vision of the goal we are trying to achieve.
Cynthia: Should I call you "Cyclone Cynthia" from now on?
Whenever possible, I move whatever I can on the spot. I go through closets and basements looking for treasures to use. They are usually amazed at what I decide to work with. Thanks for your input!
Ohhhh Sharon, Cyclone Cynthia I like it, I like it!!! You're so clever.
I have to agree they are usually amazed at the treasures they never knew they had.
Cynthia: Wear the name proudly my friend!
I do wish we could make it like on tv where everything is solved in 30 minutes! Was at a 5000 sq ft home yesterday that was very FULL of stuff - most that needed to be sold or donated! No magic wand will work here - just some decisions and hours of hard work.
Margaret: I wish we could have access to free contractors and painters with no charge for labor!
Sharon,
What a great post again. Lot's of time and wonderful information you put into these. Thanks for sharing!
Monique: I wish it came easier to me...it takes me a long time. I think it has been very good for me, though, it is very good mental excercise. Thanks for the wonderfully kind comment!