FAQs for Realtors on Home Staging 

Seward Public Radio Interview with Mary Ann

This month I was honored to be asked to do an interview on Seward Public Radio with host Becky Dunn on the “Knot so Fast” radio show. We talked about a wide range of topics including bats, wildlife, home staging and design, using home staging to increase your bed and breakfast income and bookings, dance, art and more!

I have been a wildlife biologist for over 25 years, as well as an artist, dancer, musician, performance artist and teacher. I own two businesses, including  my Bed and Breakfast, Arctic Paradise Bed and Breakfast, Jewelry and Stained Glass, and Northern Lights Home Staging and Design,  Becky asked me about  different aspects of my life and businesses.

We discussed bats, bat research in Alaska, how to attract bats to your property with a bat box, what to do if you find a dead or sick bat and more. We discussed my Bed and Breakfast, home staging and design business and how I used home staging to increase my own bed and breakfast income and bookings. We talked about how I helped Becky with her new Bed and Breakfast.  We also talked about some of my other interests such as teaching and performing different styles of dance, and my stained glass and jewelry.  

It was a fun  and quirky broadcast that gives a good feel for life in our beautiful little town of Seward Alaska and an opportunity to get to know me better.  You can listen to it here.

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Click on the bat to listen to the interview.

Can home staging help me sell my listing faster and for more money?

Various reports publish statistics on the benefits and value of home staging. A 2017 report by the National Association of Realtors states that at least 50% of Realtors think staging increases the dollar amount buyers will offer to pay by between 1 and 10%. Also, homes that are staged first before listing spend 90% less time on the market. See the summary of some of the 2017 findings from the National Association of Realtors.

What should I tell a client that wants to list first and stage later if their home does not sell?

The same thing you tell a client who wants to “test” the market with an unrealistic listing price, to inevitably reduce the price later. The longer a home is on the market, the less desirable it is. Just like food, a listing becomes stale in a very short time. You can also add that the Real Estate Staging Association Home Staging National Statistics Report found that homes that were staged first before listing, rather than after listing, spent 90% less time on the market. See the article, the “Big Bang Theory of Home Staging”.

Why should I invest in home staging in a seller’s market?

Home staging works in every type of market. Even in a seller’s market, there will always be listings that do not sell quickly. Staged homes generate more interest on the web and in person, by creating move-in ready homes that feel fresh, spacious, and up-to-date. All these conditions lead to higher offers, potential bidding wars, and greater profits for you and your clients.

Can home staging get me more listings?

YES! Would you like to tip the scales in your favor when competing for a listing? Want to know what top producing real estate agents do? Offer your sellers an affordable home staging consultation. Position yourself as a forward thinking agent that:

• Gives extra value.
• Goes the extra mile.
• Is a savvy marketer.
• Is known for having the best listings.

What should I look for when selecting a home stager?

Even though there is no legal licensing or training requirement to become a home stager, do your homework and look for a professional with training, experience, and good reviews.

An accomplished stager will have both training and proven natural talent to get you great results. See the article on tips to hiring a great stager.

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Thank you to all my customers and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Thanks and stay in touch!