Jacqueline Oddo

I received a phone call two days ago from a Realtor I often work with. He took a listing on a house 8 months ago and advised that his clients have their house professionally Staged as he always does when he receives a new listing. The clients did not want to spend the money for Home Staging.

It's eight months later and now his clients are "desperate to sell their house." The house has been sitting on the market and they already have reduced their asking price twice, totaling a whopping $25, 000 reduction. They've tried adding more photos to their online listing and a virtual tour - still no offers and very little traffic. Finally they agreed to have their home Professionally Staged.

Of course I'm happy to take the referral and will be Staging their home. Unfortunately if the house was Staged BEFORE it was put on the market the seller's may not have had to reduce their asking price so drastically and may have even had a higher offer!

If your thinking of selling your home, think about professional Staging before you sign on the dotted line. In today's real estate market, Staging your property is a necessity and a small investment compared to your first, second or third price reduction.

Thinking of selling your home?

Let Impressions Staging & Decor Professionally Stage your home BEFORE you list it. Contact us at info@impressionstaging com or visit us at http://www.impressionsstaging.com/ for our list of services

I have recently re-located my business to Delray Beach from New Jersey. I'm currently looking to form lasting business relationships with local Realtors.

As I've skimmed the MLS listings, I've seen dozens of pictures of houses that are in desperate need of Home Staging! Let's work together to get your listings sold!

Please contact me and I'd be happy to give a presentation to your company on the Benefits Of Home Staging.

Please visit my re-designed site for more infomation at http://www.impressionsstaging.com

Best Wishes & Be Creative!

Jacqueline Oddo

http://www.impressionsstaging.com

For A Lasting First Impression

http://www,impressionsstaging.blogspot.com

Yes it's true! I'm a stager and my husband is a loan officer and we have been looking on and off for our "dream home" for 18 months! We've viewed over 45 properties not including the listings we've passed over online. One would think with all the contacts we have combined in this industry and in a "buyer's market" that finding a house shouldn't be a problem. But it is!

So I've started wondering - Are we too picky? Do we expect to much? I don't think so after what we have seen.

Here's a little bit about us and what we are looking for - we are both happily married for the second time and have four children ranging in ages from 12 to 23. We have both had homes previously that were fixer uppers - been there, done that and don't want to do it again. We want move in condition as we don't want a house that will be bring us a new project every weekend (I already visit Lowe's enough for work). I want to travel, go out to dinner and enjoy my time off of work in my home. At our ages (let's just say 40++) I don't think that is too much to desire. Are there other buyers out there like us?

As a stager I can see "past the clutter" and "imagine my furniture in a vacant house". So that isn't the problem - or is it? Am I mentally staging each house I view? I probably am but I can't turn it off!

So I've decided to write a list to sellers of some of the reasons as to why we didn't buy their house. Excuse my sarcasm as it comes from utter frustration.

1- Your house is priced too high and you wouldn't accept our offer. I know you think your house is worth more money but the fact is IT ISN'T. Even if we were willing to pay your asking price the house will not appraise with the bank. As a loan officer, my husband recently wrote two comparable mortgages in the neighborhood and the bank doesn't think your house is worth what you think it's worth. Sorry but that is out of our control!

2- Why is half of your kitchen floor new ceramic tile and the other half is roll out linoleum?

3- I know little Johnny loves the New York Mets (and so do I) but his royal blue and orange bedroom screams out to me 5 coats of primer!! Same goes for Mikey's barnyard mural in red and bright yellow.

4- I know you love your cats and they are your "babies" but I happen to be highly allergic. When I stepped in your house and your four furry friends greeted me along with all the cat hair visible on your carpet, I had an allergy attack. Sorry I couldn't stay to see the rest of the house (for the fifth time).

5- While we're talking animals - I love dogs! I really do, but can you take down the doggie theme wallpaper border in the bathroom? I really don't feel comfortable bathing while they're staring at me naked even for one day until I can rip it down and then repaint.

6 - Why did you decide to glue down faux grass onto your 20 foot deck? I really don't want to walk where your bare feet have been so I'll have to pull it all up, get all the glue off and re-stain it so it resembles the wood it's supposed to be.

7-Your collection of floor to ceiling family photos in the hallway is beautiful! I see a lot of spackling, priming and painting in my future.

8- Why did you make the garage into a den and tell us that we can change it back? I know you added square footage but we want a garage! I really don't want to dig my car of the snow in the winter when it's 20 degrees outside while reminding myself "but I have a den!".

9-Why is your carpet stained in every room? Oh yes and the walls too! Makes me wonder what went on in there.

10-I absolutely respect your religious beliefs so I understand that you converted the only linen closet into a prayer room. I also respect the sign you put up stating "Buyers please don't open this closet door - it has been converted to a prayer room". I wonder how big the closet is and where your are keeping your linens if they aren't in the linen closet?

11- I really didn't know your house was two stories from the curb! With all the overgrown trees I sincerely thought it was a ranch!

12- Please, please I'm begging you to come back from the 70's and 80's!!!! All I see is having to put in a brand new kitchens and bathrooms, tearing down large floral print wallpaper, dismantling purple satin built in window treatments and replacing 4" high 30 year old shag carpeting. Besides all of the above your house has a great floor plan.

13- Why aren't there any hand railings on the interior and exterior staircases? How is my 92 year old grandmother supposed to come visit me when she can't hold up to get up the steps? Don't you see that as a safety issue?

14- Why are all the flowers in your garden dead? Is there a soil problem or is it simple neglect? If it's neglect what else have you neglected?

15- Did you not have the time to clean the soap scum in the bathtub or you don't see it?

I could go on and on but I think any reader will get my message GET YOUR HOUSE STAGED!

Clean it, de-clutter it, make it safe, de-personalize it and paint with neutral colors.

Show me that I'm not buying someone else's headache and we'll have a deal!!