Ask yourself if you're being proactive with your listings, your own home on the market or your marketing efforts.  It's easy to sit back and use "It's the economy" as an excuse.  However, I recently have  read  blogs and articles that show me that there are those in the industry that are not sitting back to wait for the sale to come to them.  Claudia Wicks, a blogger on Activerain, recently listed a Top 10 Holiday List.  On it were "to do's" that we all have done at one time or another, such as contacting former clients, sending out holiday cards, and spending more time networking.  One item on her list, however is something that we all, in our hectic schedules, may forget to do.   She reminds us to check our listings to make sure they're still showing well; that the holiday decorations are not getting in the way of any viewings; and to check that vacant properties are still maintained and, if up north, heated! 

 

 

"Buyers only know what they see, not the way it's going to be"  Barb Schwarz/ www.StagedHomes.com

 

Think STAGING!  Which picture is more inviting to a potential buyer:

 

 

 

                              

                  

 

 

Your expenses will vary from Stager to Stager, and will depend upon just how much you want Staged.  For example, you may opt to Stage only the main rooms, such as the Kitchen, Family room and Master Bedroom.  Budget constraints may dictate using minimal vignettes.  Here are some things that will be included: the cost of the Staging, itself.  This figure represents not only the time the Stager will need to place furniture, hang pictures and arrange accessories, but also , in most cases, the fees for 1 or more additional Stagers to assist in the project on the actual day of Staging.  You will also need to pay for the monthly rental of furniture and accessories to be used in the house, the delivery fee, taxes, and damage waiver fees.  Sounds like a lot but remember, the cost of Staging is less than the first price reduction.