One of the things stagers and agents need to stop talking about is how much staging costs. in today's market we need to talk about the INVESTMENT of staging. Staging doesn't cost nearly as much as it provides in saved time on market and higher offers.
Recently a Realtor in the Charleston/Mt. Pleasant market took the CSP Elite Agent course and received her CSP Affiliate Designation. When I arrived for her first staging consultation for a vacant unit that she personally owned she already knew the benefits staging would provide. We discussed which rooms we thought would provide the most value in staging and agreed upon a price. Within the week my team set to staging this lovely condo in Park West.
We agreed that the home should be completely ready for market PRIOR to listing it including finishing the staging, having photos and visual tour ready (which we provided) and all marketing pieces into place. Since this had already been explained to this new real estate professional in her CSP Elite class she knew the process. The results were no less than textbook perfect! Here is what she had to say less than 24 hrs after the home went on the market....
"I had a call from a buyer's agent less than one hour later and had a written offer to purchase, at 97% of list price, less than 24 hrs after I went "live"! I received that written offer before Jenna in our office had processed the paperwork I had given her re the listing, before it went out on the HotSheet as a new listing to fellow agents in our office! Wohoo!
I spent today satisfying contingencies and have a signed contract, with all parties happy for the time being anyhow, with a (cash) close October 15th. Keep your fingers crossed, ok?
This is GREAT advertising/marketing for both you and for me. My goal was to get under contract within 30 days, consistently, in this market. Never did I dream I might go under contract in less than 24 hours! The only contingency left is a routine home inspection, scheduled to take place within a week or so.
Staging, coupled with great pricing, is the way to go! As both you and Michele know, I am a on board with this, even thou I am a rookie.
I hope this all works out well and I look forward to continued partnership with you in the future. Let's keep the furniture in place til closer to close, til the inspection contingency is fulfilled, just in case........................"
So for all of the sellers and agents that feel that staging is just an expense that is too costly to consider, remember that staging is really an INVESTMENT that has a high rate of return.
