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First Impressions - Home Staging and Interior Redesign in Charleston, SC

 


 

FI Log
Staging Works!
for agents in the lowcountry
November 2007 - Vol 2, Issue 11
In This Issue
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Design Specialists
Greetings!
The temperatures are dropping and it is beginning to finally feel like fall! Pretty soon homes will be decked out in holiday style. For many homes this is when they will ultimately look their best. Caution your clients with homes for sale not to overdo the decorations, but do put them up. Here are a few other things to remember....
lescale
'Melissa and her team did an incredible job staging this property. They really brought the French theme to life and the house looks so inviting now. It was a real pleasure working with her.' Wendy & Pat Kelly, Agent Keller Williams/Kelly Builders Carolina MLS# 2705560

 
"I just want to take a moment and compliment your staging services. As a Realtor with nearly a decade of experience in the business and hundreds of satisfied past clients who refer business to me, I know something about providing exemplary service. Your service definitely lives up to that standard. Your staging flair, responsiveness, and attention to detail has turned a last minute pre-Tour of New Homes distress call into one of the best service experiences I have had in this business. I look forward to developing a long-term working relationship with you." Dave Sansom, Agent, Prudential Carolina Real Estate MLS# 2715745

 
prof woman
The staging industry is taking America by storm. As a real estate agent you are bombarded with newsletters, like this one, marketing brochures & media advertising staging company after staging company. How do you decide? The first question should be what experience does this company have? Who are their past clients & how did they perform? What is the time frame they can complete the work in? Are they a hobbyist or are they a professional? Today I'm focusing on this last question.

 
This last question is an important distinction. Just as in real estate, part time hobbyists or 'dabblers' can give the professionals a bad name. Professionals take time to understand market statistics, demographics and what will appeal to these buyers. Hobbyists may have access to furniture and accessories but will they know whether the neighborhood is for a newly married family oriented couple or a newly married professional couple? Will they understand the differences in how this changes the dynamics of what should be brought in for staging? The wrong choice can leave the home sitting looking for the wrong buyer....

 
Some hobbyists don't even work with vacant home staging and will only provide consultations. This, of course, is at a reduced rate from the professional so it seems like a deal to the agent. The problem with this becomes that they can point out the problems, but not the solutions. Without having the ability to actually do the work the responsibility falls to the agent - YOU!

 
When hiring a stager, as with any industry, check their references, see what they provide and make sure the tools they have available meet YOUR needs. Your clients will judge you on their work. Work only with the BEST!

 
kickers

I hear this almost every day now. Agents who've seen our work & want information tell me excitedly, 'if the home hasn't sold by January, then we'll stage it.' It isn't that they think staging doesn't work. It is that they think the market will be so slow for the next few weeks that it just isn't worth the money. The truth is that there are a lot of homes sold in November and December but fewer showings. Why? The buyers who look in November and December are usually ONLY SERIOUS BUYERS.

 
Investors need to cover their tax exchanges. Buyers have more vacation time over the holidays to shop. Non-serious sellers will pull their homes off the market and fewer sellers will list their homes now. This means less inventory to look at for those serious buyers. The odds may actually work in your favor during this time of year!

 
Selling a staged home is not only more pleasant for the buyer, but makes the buyers agent more likely to show it. How many of you would rather show fewer better looking homes than multiple homes that 'needed work'? Which are your clients more likely to buy? If you have a home that really needs to sell - staging this time of year may actually mean having a little a little extra jingle in your pocket.

 

Thank you again Charleston for your continued support! As always we promise to continue to support you the best we can & we have added two new Design Specialists - Tammy Trenholm & Tracy Moses - so we can better service your needs! Enjoy Thanksgiving & we'll see you next month!

 

Sincerely,

 


Melissa Marro
First Impressions

 
phone: 843.822.2622

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