Archive for the ‘ Real Estate Success ’ Category

Is Your Home Staging Business…Fishy?


Is Your Home Staging Business…Fishy?

I just read a fax from one of my mentor’s and he told an old salesman’s joke…”A salesman approaches the front door and there is a little boy and dog sitting on the stoop. So as not to scare the little boy, the salesman bends down to pet the dog to show that he is a ‘good guy’ and the dog bites him. The salesman says to the little boy, ‘Hey, you didn’t tell me your dog bites…’ and the little boy responds ‘it’s not my dog.'”

Now this will tell you what assumptions can do for you. Because the boy was sitting next to the dog, the salesman assumed that the dog belonged to the boy.

The same is true today with our Home Staging businesses. We assume that everyone knows how great we are, that what we do really makes a difference and that all of our fellow Home Stagers act with honesty, integrity and creativity.

Unfortunately, it is just not the case. Many sellers, agents and investors have not received the stellar service that they expect because they have been watching HGTV and assume that is how all home Staging’s happen…but they want it to happen for $500 when it took $5000 on TV.

Or, they were promised one thing and received another, which is really even worse.

The first has to do with managing your client’s expectations. What can they specifically expect to receive based on your agreement to deliver services.

The second really has to do with operating an honest business. Yes, I could find loads of ways to say that in a overcomplicated convoluted definition, but let’s call a spade a spade and know that you have to give a little more than what you promise, especially in this environment.

Here is the problem. Most Home Stagers, because they only learn to Stage, and don’t take the time to put multiple streams of income in place, nor do they learn to market or run a business (this is why business and marketing has become the focus of my own Home Staging Training Company), are so desperate or grateful for the job that they usually over promise and under deliver because they can’t possibly deliver everything they promised for the amount upon which they agreed.

Hence, they do not manage the expectations of their client (whether this is a Real Estate Agent, Seller or Real Estate Investor) effectively and they don’t act with integrity in the eyes of their client.

Now we could say that there are many issues at play here, and there are, the least of which is that you were not fair to yourself by not charging enough, but that is the topic for another day. Today, it is all about running an honest and ethical business, not assuming anything, and letting your customer know they can trust you and why.

If you over deliver and under promise, this goes a long way toward gaining your client’s trust. If you let your client know that you have also seen shoddy work by other Home Stagers in your area (don’t get petty, don’t name names) and don’t feel as though that is the right way to do business, they will begin to like you. Then, if you prove it, they will hire you and refer you.

Today, the name of the game is trust. Your client has to be able to trust you to not only do an extraordinary Home Staging job but also to help quickly and effectively sell the house or listing. They no longer assume anything (remember the dog?) and neither should you.

You must start to show them in multiple ways that they can trust you. Tell them, and then prove it. You will need to keep proving it but once you do it a few times, it will become your system and will not require more and more effort.

Customer Service, but more appropriately Customer Care is what will win the race as we battle thru this economy. Always be on top of your game, act with honesty, integrity and great care. Then, all you have to do is say it and prove it. You will become the Home Stager of choice in your entire area.

For more information on Karen Schaefer and her Proven Real Estate Marketing and Home Staging Selling Strategies, go to www.APSDmembers.com/ezine

 

 

2010
02/01
CATEGORY
Attracting House Buyers
Curb Appeal
Home Stager Career Opportunity
home stager school
Home Stager Training
Home Stagers
home staging career
Real Estate Success
selling homes
Tips of the Month
Uncategorized
Wholesale Home Staging
TAGS














Leave a comment

Home Staging – The Schaefer Synopsis

I am sitting at my computer right now in a hotel room staring out at one of the biggest shopping mall parking lots I have ever seen with “Macy’s” in lights. Sounds a bit like the Vegas version of Macy’s, I know. But, what Vegas doesn’t have, is the ocean and palm trees on the other side of the parking lot in plain view of my hotel room balcony. Because of this, I am willing to overlook the mall parking lot.

You guessed it; I am in Hawaii, having just spoken at the 1st annual Hawaii Real Estate Convention. Before I came here, I did some research on the market since I never like to show up unprepared and every single market has its own special needs and trends. I feel as though it is also my job, to show up informed and am surprised when others don’t.

When I looked at the market here, I found that the main island (most of the statistics are on Maui and Oahu) was down in sales from last month to this month by 30.6% and down 10.2% for the year. They still experienced mild appreciation of 1-2%, but that is mild compared to the 85% appreciation they have had over the last 5 years. Yep, you read that right, 85% appreciation!!!

As these numbers came up, most of the people in the audience, all from Hawaii, were surprised. They knew their market was not doing as well as it had been, but they were not prepared for the reality. You see, many of these investors were used to buying on appreciation as were those in California, Las Vegas and Arizona. The Hawaii market just didn’t “crash” like the others mostly due to better lending practices, but still, the appreciation they have come to rely upon, virtually came to a standstill. Unfortunately, if you don’t know when to get in and when to get out, buying on appreciation hardly ever works. I know dozens of real estate investors that got rich quick, and lost it all even faster because of two factors:

1. They did not track their market and watch the numbers and trends
2. They bought on appreciation.

I think you all know that if you were lucky enough to buy on appreciation and make a bunch of money and keep it—you were just that—lucky. Your better and safer bet is to buy on cash flow, which is now the name of the game.

Watch all the real estate investor guru’s advertising. Instead of the “Get Rich Quick in Real Estate” advertising that they have been doing for the past several years, now they are telling you about “Safe, Long Term Wealth Building.” Mark my words, I can see the trend coming…because I am tracking it and you should be too.

So, other than bragging about the fact that I am in Hawaii, my point is that you are the only one responsible for your business and you need to keep an eye on it. Despite what all the experts are saying, the market is volatile and you should be watching it.

Make sure you have plenty of margin in each deal, not “just enough.” If you are planning on making $15,000 or less on the deal, unless it is an assignment or a wholesale deal, that is not enough margin to protect you if things take a serious dip unexpectedly.

You may still make $15,000 which is good, but you need to plan on making $25,000.

A great way to track trends in your area is simply by doing a Google search on “Your Area Real Estate Statistics” you will find dozens of sites that are local and specific to your investing farm area. If you are looking for demographic info, go to www.city-data.com .

The other thing you need to keep an eye on in the next several months in addition to the market, is of course the elections. I will save my comments on that little nugget for next month, but yes, it will affect your business, so get prepared for the long run. Buy low and sell FAST.

About the Author

Karen Schaefer is an Investor, Writer, Speaker and Property Designer. She is the founder of Simple Appeal, Inc., the Premier Nationwide Staging and Design Company as well as APSD, The Association of Property Scene Designers. She is known nationwide as the Expert on selling properties in ½ the time at full market value. And for helping Home Stagers and Entrepreneurs create seven figure businesses. If you would like to learn more about Home Staging, Curb Appeal, Real Estate Marketing and Selling, go to www.APSDmembers.com
2009
10/29
CATEGORY
Real Estate Success
TAGS






Leave a comment

How Baking Chocolate Chip Cookies Actually Kills the Sale Of Your Home

Millions of homes are for sale right now and owners are desperate to sell, yet are continually given advice leading them to excessively longer days on market and ultimately lower prices.

“In a buyers market, sellers have to utilize every powerful tool they can to sell their home as fast as possible and for the best price,” says Karen Schaefer, national real estate sales expert. “Unfortunately, sellers are subject to antiquated direction that immediately tips off the potential buyers that they are being “sold” which often stops the sale on the spot.”

Karen Schaefer will tell your audience:

1)      The 3 worst things you can do when trying to sell your home-that nearly every realtor recommends doing!

2)      How to get everyone that looks at your house to fall in love with it on the spot and forget about the other 25 they looked at that day.

3)      Making a room by room checklist to guarantee your home shows perfectly every time.

4)      Give it a name!  Giving your buyer a reason to name your house so they start to remember it immediately

5)      Letting your buyer laugh until they cry with delight as they pull back a shower curtain, open a vanity drawer and peek into the linen closet—with a surprise that makes your home unforgettable.

Karen Schaefer, Founder of Simple Appeal, Inc. the Premier Nationwide Staging and Design Company and author of The 5 Proven Steps to Selling Your Houses in any Real Estate Market (even a lousy one) has helped thousands of investors, builders, sellers and agents sell their houses immediately.  Karen speaks nationwide, consults in multiple markets and instructs other investors and designers on the key concepts to selling properties fast.

Karen Schaefer is an entertaining and informative interviewee. To interview her call 719-244-3420

About the author:

By Karen Schaefer, Founder of Simple Appeal, Inc. and APSD – The Association of Property Scene Designers. To learn more about home staging, marketing houses and selling houses quickly go to http://www.OnLineStagingTraining.com for a free 30 day trial.
2009
08/11
CATEGORY
Real Estate Success
TAGS

















Leave a comment

A Woman’s Touch

Starting a home based business can be full of challenges and setbacks, but the rewards are immeasurable. In today’s economy, more and more women go everyday to jobs that they aren’t passionate about just to pay the bills, and pay for the daycare that they would rather do without. Life should be about more than just making ends meet. You should love what you do every day and have the opportunity to spend quality time with your family, instead of endless hours slaving away.

What if I told you that you could have it all? You might not believe me! Because as women, we are taught that we must sacrifice something. Well don’t believe it! By setting up your own property design business, you can have a career that you are passionate about, putting you in the driver’s seat of your career, and giving yourself the opportunity to spend more time with your family.

Home staging is an industry that is on the verge of exploding because of the slowing real estate industry. And there has never been a better time for women to get involved with it. In order to make a home stand out and sell it in this tough market, it has to appeal to a buyer’s emotions. And this is where a professional stager comes in. At APSD (http://www.APSDMembers.com) our program for Property Designers teaches you how to create Pockets of Emotion™ that will sell your clients homes.

Naturally women have an eye for what looks good and what will appeal to buyers on an emotional level. As a Property Designer, you will have the opportunity to help other people sell their homes and reach their goals while realizing your own dreams by finally living the life that you deserve.

About the author:

By Karen Schaefer, Founder of Simple Appeal, Inc. and APSD – The Association of Property Scene Designers. With Karen, you can learn more about home staging, home marketing and selling houses quickly. http://www.OnLineStagingTraining.com shows you just how to do home selling to people buying properties.
2009
08/07
CATEGORY
Real Estate Success
TAGS

















Leave a comment

Mission Impossible? Not really

If you look back at the real estate industry ten years, or even five years ago you’ll see that it was a very different reality than it is today. It’s no secret that the market is slowing down, and has even stalled in many areas. But if you have a home to sell, don’t be discouraged. It is not impossible to sell property in this market. You just have to get creative and have the ideas of a home stager.

When it comes to selling a home in today’s real estate market, you need to set your property apart from all of the other listings. Put some energy into a market strategy that will stand out from the crowd. This is where staging comes in to play. Staging is so much more than making your house clean and pretty; it’s about creating a feeling in the home in order to evoke emotion in the buyer. That is why a home stager training is very important.

At Simple Appeal (http://www.simpleappeal.com) we know what works. We know how to turn a nice house into a home that buyers can picture themselves and their family living in. It is no longer enough to clean your house and put it on the market hoping for a sale. In today’s tough market, more than ever home staging is a necessity to make a sale so you can move on.

Whatever reason you have for moving, if your property stands out from the other listings you won’t even notice the slowing real estate market and you’ll be able to sell your home quickly and move on. It’s not Mission Impossible, it’s creative marketing!

About the author:

By Karen Schaefer, Founder of Simple Appeal, Inc. and APSD – The Association of Property Scene Designers. To learn more about  improving your home staging careers, staging houses, marketing houses and selling houses quickly go to http://www.OnLineStagingTraining.com for a free 30 day trial and the best home stager school there is.
2009
07/30
CATEGORY
Real Estate Success
TAGS















Leave a comment