We don’t need a stager, we need an Exorcist!

Many will think that poorly prepared listings are a rare case, but unfortunately I rarely see listing photos that couldn’t be improved.

Home sellers count on real estate professionals to advise them on how to sell their homes the quickest, for the least hassle, and for the most money. Some agents are afraid to:

• hurt feelings or make their sellers uncomfortable,
• don’t want to spend the time needed to fully explain what needs to be done to prepare the home for sale,
• lack faith in the ability of their seller to improve the property,
• are naive on the nuances of home selling psychology and marketing at it’s finest,
• underestimate the power of photos in his market where 90% of home buyers are shopping for homes on the internet!

Gotta love this example from a fellow blogger:

Via Alan May, Coldwell Banker Evanston Realtor®, Evanston Real Estate (Evanston Condos, Evanston Homes, North Shore Homes):

YES, this is a property currently for sale on our MLS.  When it popped up on my screen it actually made me “gasp”.

Most properties could benefit from a decluttering, or a stager… but this property… I think it may be beyond staging or decluttering.  I think this one may call for an Exorcism.

There isn’t a surface that doesn’t have “something” hanging on it, or from it.  There isn’t an uncovered surface. It’s literally a cacophany of colour and junk.

I can’t believe that the agent listing this property allowed these photos to be taken, let alone published on the MLS.

Perhaps, in defense of the agent, the place looked much worse before the photos and the agent thinks that NOW it looks so much better… “You should have seen the junk that she got outta this house!”

Do you think these photos show the property to its best advantage?  Do you think it does the property a good service, and will help it sell?

Yikes!!  It makes me think that Linda Blair must live here. As you cross the threshold, the walls will begin bleeding and a disembodied voice will quietly cry… “Get out” (oh, wait… that was the Amityville Horror).

Oh, well… they’re both appropriate here. I think this is enough to make the average stager cry.

 

Selling your home?  If your photos aren’t fabulous be prepared to have a lower selling price or a very long wait in this real estate market!

Margaret Oscilia is a Professional Home Stager serving Salem Oregon and surround areas who specializing in helping home sellers maximize their equity when preparing to sell.  Moving or improving? Creative Concepts and Contracting has the expertise to showcase your home’s full potential, stretch your budget, and maximize your time.

Professional Home Staging – Reliable Contractor Repairs – Beautiful Results!