1)     Using an expert or home stager, removes the agent from telling the client that their home is in need of repair, too messy, dirty, etc. thus maintaining good rapport with the seller.

2)     To raise their profile as a leader in the real estate field - as staging services are a new industry in Canada. Working with a home stager is a great marketing and branding strategy that sets them apart from the competition.

3)     Working with a stager frees up their time to focus on revenue generating aspects of their business, in short, are team players that focus on their strengths and delegates their weaknesses.

4)     They can set a higher asking price because the quality of the listing will be higher every time.

5)     They will be known as a realtor with "show home" quality listings.

6)     They will have an edge over other realtors in the industry by offering staging services for their clients for all their listings, which would be included in their commissions.

7)     Staged homes sell quickly at top dollar, making it a win-win situation for not only the agent, but the home owner as well.  Home staging increases the house's value on average 6-10% of list price, and that is very conservative.  These results become a catalyst for great word of mouth referrals.

8)     Working with a stager builds their reputation with potential clients, as someone who does whatever it takes to get the home sold.

9)     Working with a stager will increase listing turnover, increase your return on marketing investment, and increase in referrals from happy clients.

10) Staged properties diminish or eliminate having to reduce the listing price.

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Ten Advantages of a REALTOR® Providing a Complimentary Home Staging Consultation

1. Gives the home owner a third party verification of what areas require attention, and what areas do not. It is very difficult for a home owner to really see how their home is showing, because of the many emotional attachments there. This process will maintain the rapport between the REALTOR® and client because the professional home stager can be the bad guy.

2. Gives the home owner cost saving advice on where to budget their money. The process of preparing your home for sale can be very overwhelming and expensive. The REALTOR® can be seen as wanting the best for their client and doing whatever it takes to sell the house. Hiring professionals to achieve that is part of their marketing plan and included in their commissions.

3. Gives the home owner suggestions for paint colors or other color decorating advice. This is essential for attracting the broadest range of potential buyers. This gives the REALTOR® time to focus on actually selling the house, and not dealing with unpleasant conversations with the client or areas that they don’t excel in. The REALTOR® is not required to be with the professional home stager during the consultation. There is trust, respect, and confidence built between the REALTOR® and stager. The stager will provide great customer service to the REALTORS®’ client.

4. Gives the home owner specific actions to complete for the best sale. Breaks down what needs to be accomplished in more attainable pieces. A professional hard copy report will be left for the client, where they can check off areas that are completed to stay on track and focused. This process will make for more attractive online photos, thereby attracting more people to come see the house.

5. Gives the home owner reassurance that they are on track for getting top dollar by completing the suggestions offered by the home stager. This sets up the REALTOR® as the person that goes above and beyond for their client, setting them apart from other REALTORS® in the industry.

6. Gives the home owner direction on what furniture needs to go and what should stay. More often than not, home owners have too much furniture in a space. A professional home stager knows how to highlight areas and diminish others. Home staging is the process of preparing your home for sale. A home that has been professionally staged creates to the buyer a visualization of each room’s potential.

7. Gives the home owner direction on de-cluttering and organization. This area can be extremely stressful, but having a direction on what to achieve makes the going easier. A home stager will not hesitate to gives concerns about pets, odors, etc., or any other minor detail that needs to be addressed – something the REALTOR® will not have to worry about.

8. Educates the home owner that when the decision is made to put their home on the market, their home is no longer a home, but a house. Selling the house is now business, with the real estate agent and professional home stager teaming up to make sure you get the most money for your investment. Suggestions or changes cannot be taken personal.

9. Gives the home owner guidelines to prepare their home for sale themselves in a very cost effective way, a one time consultation fee, which is paid for by the agent. This whole process gives the REALTOR® great word of mouth referrals. The REALTOR® will gift the client with a specially made up Win-Win Consultation Gift Certificate.

10. Gives the home owner the big picture on what is required to put their home on the market. The home owner may be relieved to know that they can hire the professional home stager to carry out some or all of their suggestions. They are also relieved to know that their REALTOR® sees the value in home staging, and have teamed up with a respected professional home stager.