The Home-Staging Cheat Sheet

True Unethical Realtor Story

My realtor called to say he had a lady client he "knew nothing about" to see my home when it hadn't been listed yet. That was my first clue. How would she know about it? I looked out the window when they arrived and noticed they didn't introduce themselves to eachother. I slipped out the back door and sat in my car for much longer than it should have taken to view my small place.

When they emerged, they kissed and left. Say what? After no follow-up on legitimate clients, a sloppy flyer, no shows on his part and no answers to why my upcoming Open House was not online, I had great suspicions. He left me a note after the Open House saying only "one single lady" came, and someone threw his OH sign and baloons in the woods, so no one would know about it! He also copied my keys 3 times (to hand out to the ladies?).

I fired him while he removed his signs and returned the keys with the police present. Then I bleached my place from top to bottom.

Owner of an Irresistable-Condo of NJ @ Jul 27, 2008 10:36:21 AM

As long as its not misleading the buyer that someone still lives there

I am a home inspector and run into staged homes all the time. There are tell tale signs that stand out. Sometimes, buyers assume or are told that the current owners are just out of town - when in fact they are long gone. Moved to another state, another house, etc.

I've inspected many homes, one in particular where the selling agent stated that the sellers were on vacation but they still lived in this home. In going through the home doing a standard visual inspection, I noticed some ironic things for someone to be living in the home, such as: price tags on tables, cushions, lamps, candles, price tags on all the clothes in the closets, blankets still creased from packaging. There were some major issues in this home that the sellers were trying to conceal - such as a significant mold issues, moisture intrusion problems.

When I then asked for a completed sellers disclosure, it stated that the home was not vacant. When I directly asked the listing agent if this home was staged or not - she stated that it was and that the buyers had already moved out some time ago. I'm not an attorney or anything, but the sellers and the listing agent have the duty to properly disclose the conditions of the home - don't they? When false statements are made, I'm sure those can do significant damage to the seller, realtor, realtors company for misrepresentation.

A staged home is always nicer - I agree, but without hiding the facts or misleading buyers.

A Concerned Honest Home Inspector

A Concerned Honest Home Inspector of GA @ Jul 27, 2008 10:14:36 AM

'staging a hose for sale'

TOO presumptuous! Although helpful,the determining factors for selling a house is,and will always be : price,price,price, and location,location, and location.

The prevaining factor is MARKET CONDITIONS.

Helena of CA @ Jul 12, 2008 17:55:41 PM

Buyers Expectations

Remember the days of the MLS books with tiny photos and little descriptions? Wow -- selling a home has certainly changed over the years! And with HGTV, DIY shows so popular, I think home buyers expectations are at an all time high. Buyers want to envision themselves living a wonderful lifestyle in the new home they buy -- not seeing you stuff and personalization.

Staging works -- and though I do it everyday, I'm always amazed at the transformations!

Margaret Oscilia, Creative Concepts and Contracting of OR @ Jul 09, 2008 09:12:09 AM

Staging is the key to a sale!

Barb is the Creator of Home Staging and continues to pave the way for this industry - educating Sellers, Realtors, and Stagers on what Staging is and what it is NOT. . . I love her saying that "Buyers only know what they see, not the way it's going to be" - and when less than 10% of the population can picture a room in a way other than how it is presented, Staging is the most important marketing tool for selling a house. Without it, 90% of the buyers out there are left scratching their heads wondering how a house could look better or be something they could live in as their home.

Realtors that incorporate Staging as a marketing tool and Sellers that work with a professionally trained Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) Stager are making sure buyers find their house appealing - and that is the goal - to SELL the house - in a tough or hot market.

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP - We Stage Sacramento of CA @ Jul 09, 2008 00:49:35 AM

staging

when you show!

R Lapus of MA @ Jul 07, 2008 15:23:20 PM

Entry Ways

If you have the $, tile the outer and inner entry. Also add fancy front door, one with glass insert. First impressions are big stuff with those basing everything on appearances. Good luck, and don't take a low ball offer!

Ed Roberts of CA @ Jul 07, 2008 14:44:16 PM

Fantastic Advice

As usual, Barb has wonderful advice. I've been staging homes for three years now, and it still amazes me how a few hours of manpower and a couple of timely accessories can update a home and make it appealing to all buyers. Once it's staged, many of these homes sell immediately, even in this market. If your house is for sale, don't think twice about staging.

Donna Caselden, Staged for Sale of MA @ Jul 05, 2008 15:35:35 PM