Actually, I think most people would agree with you on the first one. But my feeling is that I don’t want to be conditioned by either the beautiful furniture or the messy clutter of someone else! Seeing it empty gives me a chance to see the “bones” of a property, without all the lipstick and mascara.

If you have read ANY of my blogs you will note that I have RANTED over and over and over again that “the house has to be the STAR not the stuff.” GOOD staging makes the house the star.

I am not sure why you linked me with the words “scented candles” as I do not now or EVER use or have used scented candles. Contrived staged trickery… is in my, opinion, staging by amateurs. You might like to read this post entitled: “Fake Is Fine… Just Don’t be Contrived” (http://realestaging.blogspot.com/2007/03/fake-is-fine-just-dont-be-contrived.html)I far better a stager than your “scented candle” reference implies.

Also it might help you to know that a GOOD stager concentrates on 2 areas, the PREP and then the SET. The PREP would focuses on “changing out the dated things” as you write of in #4. Plus a GOOD stager “would have addressed the house’s issues were the “door knobs were broken, light bulbs were burnt out, and door latches didn’t work” you mention in #5.

It is GREAT that you have the ability to size up a space without furnishings… as a realtor that makes sense, especially considering the sheer number of properties you look at. Unfortunately, you are not the buyer. Buyers do not have the experience and knowledge you have to rely on when they evaluate a property. GOOD staging is about creating understanding of a home for buyers, not realtors.

You will note that I keep saying “GOOD staging.” It is about removing just enough of the existing “seller’s life” so that the buyers can map their own lives into the space. 2 problems I do see with SOME stagers is that SOME are more concerned with making a design statement while SOME others strip too much life out of a home so that it is sterile and cold. A good stager gets the balance.

Staging can work for you and your sellers… IF you know what it is and is not. Here is a link to a post I wrote for why I think realtors, like you, are not “getting” staging. (http://realestaging.blogspot.com/2008/04/you-can-stage-it-even-if-they-still.html)

My blog is ALL about educating the consumer and the realtor on how and what GOOD staging is and is not. Staging works… and since it does, why not figure out how to use it to your advantage?

Craig Schiller
Real Estaging
Chicago

PS: I LOVE your idea about floor plans. I never thought about that. I am going to start to recommend this to my clients too.

I hate open houses with the owner present. They’re usually too awkward to enjoy.