In a recent post "Realtors Have it Easy" I wrote about just how overworked and under appreciated Realtors are. It seems to me that partnering with a professional home stager, who they could recommend to their clients, could ease some of that pressure.
I am wondering...
Would a Realtor's job be a bit easier and less stressful, if a stager assisted the sellers in the preparation of their house for sale?
Maybe, but the realtor would miss out on the opportunity to tell the seller that
there is a foul smell in the den and
they wouldn't get to be the one to break the news to the seller that the priceless Star Wars collection needs to be removed from the dining room. 
The Realtor wouldn't be the one
creating the seller's to-do list and justifying
the expense investment of
the necessary improvements.
Would the MLS photos be more appealing if said house were professionally prepared?
Let's think about this one
because...
maybe the peeling paint on the front door is charming
and adds character.
and maybe
painting the bathroom would make the room appear less dramatic than the flocked velvet wallpaper that is there now.
New home owners today are into that retro look and besides if the seller makes all those improvements, the new buyer won't get the opportunity to make it their own style.
Potential buyers like using their imagination and they love home improvement projects, right?
Would said house sell faster if it were more emotionally appealing to buyers?
Why's everyone in such a hurry? If you wait long enough,
just the right guy who happens to be looking
for a home decorated in
"1979 bachelor pad" decor will come along and offer a
pretty penny for this charmer.
I'm sure a young couple that doesn't mind water stained ceilings and holes in the wall will come around eventually.
A family that appreciates animals will have no problem with the three large dog beds
in the master bedroom.
Would the seller make more money and consider the Realtor a hero and a marketing genius if said house sold sooner, rather than later?
Sure, but they are in no hurry to sell. They have plenty of money to pay two mortgages and they understand that if it doesn't soon get an offer, they can just lower the price again. And besides, who wants to live up to the reputation of being a hero?
Would the commission be higher if said house sold sooner and without a price reduction?
Sure it would, but it's not always about the money!
Realtors don't even care about the commission, right?
It's the joy of the whole experience that makes it all worth it.
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Groovy Post as Austin Powers would say!!! Very Creative Sharon!!
A fun read. Thanks Sharon.
I love your post. You should use it in a Realtor office presentation some how.
Cathy Shagadelic, baby! Thanks for the comment.
Very funny post! I think you made your point... :) I think working together with a stager is a great idea! :)
Like many, I continue to be perplexed that more realtors don't take advantage of our services to improve the selling experience, for themselves and the homeowner. Certainly, their time is better spent on other aspects of selling the property.
Sharon, very cute post with great analogies.. You should use this for a realtors meeting - they might get it.. God bless,
Sharon, Nice post and I agree, Realtors should make their life easier by partnering up with Stagers. I think it shows a seller how professional the Realtor is and that they care about getting the home sold.
Sharon: Very clever and creative way to get the point across. We can and do make listing agents' lives easier.
Linda Thank you!
Michelle I will have to play with it a bit and see if I can work it into my presentation. Thanks!
Debi You think the point was made? I hope so. I really do believe our participation can make things less stressful for them.
Loved the post! Perfect timing with graphics and comments. You should print this up as a brochure!
Monica
Linda I know I have made the sale less stressful for the realtors I have worked for and taken some of the stress off their job. It can make such a difference having that support.
Cheryl I do discuss "making their life easier" in my presentation, maybe some of these examples should be added in. Thanks for commenting.
Barbara I think staging is becoming more familiar to sellers and when a realtor suggests it or offers it, it does impress sellers. It still has a mystique about it and makes the seller feel part of something special. It indicates that the realtor is serious about marketing.
Smart realtor will mention the importance of staging to listers... not as an after-thought but as a part of the process.
Humourous way to describe the reasons...top 10 list, so to speak. Good post, entertaining and a bit close to home. Good job.
Chuck said it all.... We our partnered with 6 Real Estate companies at this point, doing about 3-6 consultations a day for them and it has worked out great for the both of us!
BB
Sharon - You have had me convinced since you spoke at our office sellers seminar. You know your stuff and I am happy to refer any and all sellers to you. Great post.
I enjoyed your post, made me smile..thanks. Other than cleaning up a property, or new paint, I had very little knowledge of staging....until someone kept forcing me to watch hgtv. between nodding off some of it stuck to my self consciousness, as now I understand the importance of a well staged home. Having the seller told by a professional stager, has more value and impact. Coming from a realtor, there is a possibility of hard feelings. Plus its one less thing to worry about.
Michelle Thanks!
Monica Thanks! Perfect huh? I appreciate that.
Chuck You are so right, including "staging" as part of the standard marketing plan discussion guarantees no one feels insulted or singled out as "needing" help. Thanks for the support.
Terrylynn Thank you! I feel humor helps soften the blow when I'm trying to hammer a point home.
Brian It sounds like you have a really good thing going...keep up the good work! Thanks!
Judy Thank you so much for your support, kind words and referrals! I really appreciate it!
Paul I love that you were forced to watch HGTV...Many men are, you are not alone! What is important is that you actually got something from the experience. You are a believer and that makes us stagers very happy! Thanks for the comment!
Great post Sharon. I do not beleive we have any stagers in our area yet. "Rural". I'm gonna do a search and see what I can find. Thanks for the laugh and reality! ; )
Christina Thanks for the comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it and if it prompts you to look for a stager in your area, that makes my day!! Find a good stager and you will see what I mean!