Karen Otto wrote a great article about some garbage she read from a local Realtor. The Realtor states that it costs a LOT for Home Staging Consultations.
Karen is a fantastic Home Stager and knows her business. If you are looking for a Home Stager in Plano and surrounding areas, you should make Karen your first and last call for a Home Stager. Realtors know their job and Stagers know theirs. For a 'True' understanding of the process and pricing, contact Karen today.
While "Googling" words pertinent to home staging in Plano, TX I came across a Plano, TX Realtor's website which claimed the following:
"Unfortunately, home staging pricing for a simple consultation can run from $200 to upwards of $600, and for larger homes, home staging can cost as much as $10,000."
This is not only misleading but it is not true at least for my company, Home Star Staging.
The statement above was part of a section of the website that offered a FREE home staging consultation from the Realtor. I do not take issue with this personally or professionally. If the agent has the time, desire and skill set to successfully guide their clients to stage their homes and offer this as an incentive to secure a listing, that's great! However, I don't think using sweeping claims as to the costs of a home staging consultation to discourage a seller from seeking the advice of an independent home staging professional is necessary.
I would describe a "simple consultation" as a walk through that I complete with many home owners in 2 hours or less that encompasses what they need to know in order to stage the home themselves. Time permitting we also do some "hands on" moving around so they can actually see the difference simple changes can make. The investment in this service is $125 and each additional hour is $50. Most homes under 2,500 square feet are completed within 2 hours.
Honestly, this kind of misleading information is offensive to me .
I don't make claims as to what a Realtor's fees should be or are but I do know that a good Realtor earns their fees. It's information and scare tactics like this that keeps the staging industry from growing in many areas.
A good home stager earns their fees and makes the job of a Realtor easier and the home seller less stressful, we can actually save and make people more money!
Here's a sample of comments from recent clients whom I've completed 2 hour home staging consultations for. The homes ranged in prices from $159,000 (1,800 sq. ft) up to $750,000 (4,800 sq. ft) and all consults were complete in 2 hours for $125.
" My home looked nice before but now it looks like a model"
"Wow! Thank you. What a difference this is going to make. I had the list (my husband sent to me) on the changes you suggested, but to see how much you and he got done today in the short time was amazing. We wanted your professional opinion on how to help our house look the best possible so it would sell, so we were open to any & all suggestions!"
"No one told me before about the things you saw" (home 60+ days on market)
" Now I understand the difference"
"You actually saved me money"
To the Plano Realtor who has this on their website, please do some research on home staging before you make a statement like this.
I would never tell my clients not to hire a good Realtor based on the commission they make, you rightfully earn your fees, I rightfully earn my fees too and they are not as high as you may think.
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Are you selling a home in Plano, Murphy, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Richardson or Dallas, TX? Do you need help and expert advice on preparing a home for sale ?
Home Star Staging is a qualified, insured home staging company and we are always here for you North Texas!
- Pre-listing property consultations
- Post list "trouble shooting" property consultations
- Owner occupied property staging (utilizing owner supplied furniture & accessories or including some of our own inventory)
- Vacant & investment property staging (Full and partial rental furniture packages, accessories and staging services)
- Is your office interested in hosting a home staging class or presentation? Just ask!
- Contact Karen at 496-964-0516 or Karen@homestarstaging.com
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Are you looking to purchase a Texas home? Perhaps you love your Texas home but would be interested in refinancing your Texas mortgage to a lower interest rate?
I'll help you get pre-approved for your Texas home loan and even suggest some very knowledgeable and professional Real Estate Agents in your area of choice. If you are available to talk, I am available to listen. Give me a call or visit my website for more details.
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John R Cannata P#214.728.0449
NMLS # 322646
The views expressed on this site are mine alone and do not reflect the views of my employer.
My blood was boiling when I read it. I need to go to Karen's now.
Hi John, I really appreciate your reblog and your very kind words. It's just frustrating to read this because really what the agent should have done is encourage and explain the importance of staging a home and the value they bring by offering this to their clients for free. I don't have a problem with agents who stage! I do take issue with false claims to scare sellers away from even contacting one because of the suppossed "high cost". It doesn't have to cost alot and the investment more than returns it in almost 100% of the cases because we focus on the best improvements and updates that will bring the most ROI - thereby saving them money and making their house a showstopper on the market.
This is the unfortunate battle many stagers face because of the misleading info out there. It's one of the reasons I enjoy teaching and educating others on the value of staging. I don't think we can give too much info away - I wish everyone knew how important marketing your home's aethetic value is - whether they do it themselves, have their friends or Realtor help or hire a professional home stager, it should be done for every home.
Thanks again my friend! And hey, if your office ever needs a class to offer for Realtors, I'd be happy to bring my staging presentation to you!
I was amazed a couple of years ago when staging and consultation went through the roof. A consultation was $325 for an hour and the staging jumped to over a thousand per month, depending on if they used your furniture or theirs it could be much higher...
Happy Father's Day, if nothing else go enjoy the memories...
Paul
John ~ thanks for the re-blog. It was filled with some fabulous information, I hope you had a terrific information.
John,
I sure wish karen was in my neck of the woods. Home stagers are great. Another good reason why i like to use them....when I tell client that the house needs to be cleaned up, they dont hear me. When the home stager says it....its Gospel".
Have another great day
Leander
Karen - I have to assume that this agent has never used a Good Stager and/or maybe no stager at all. If they took the time to do the research and worked with an experienced Stager, they would certainly see the benefits.
Paul - Thanks for the Fathers Day shoutout. Happy Belated Fathers Day to you! p.s. I'd be happy to make $325 per hour.
Leander - Spoken like a true professional. :-)