08/23/2023
UPDATE FROM JULIE:
(Don't worry clients - it's business as usual!)
The other day I said it out loud — and it's sinking in: "This is my 7th year in business." While when I started, I intended to grow (hence my business name 🙃), over time, I discovered what I’m good at and what I love to do. I very quickly decided I would remain a one-man show with the occasional external assistance.
From 7 years back, I still get asked, “Why do you need to stage a home in a seller’s market?” and the answer remains the same…
Sellers are willing to put their best foot forward and absorb any additional advice they can get. Realtors are interested in making that happen and extending the best service and value to their clients.
The bulk of my business (on the staging side) comes from Realtors. So Realtors — thank you! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and work with you and I continue to strive to provide you and your clients the best service.
I was recently approached by a new Realtor who contacted me because she liked that on my website I mentioned that I try and work with sellers’ existing furniture. This was my strategy from the beginning, and hold true to this today. Upward of 90% of my home seller clients do well with the Home Staging Consultation alone and do not require additional services. Where an existing furniture collection does not compromise the function and perception of a home, I will always suggest to work with it rather than investing in staging upgrades. I have seen true wonders in this process! Some say this is a detriment to my business, but I disagree. This is to provide the best and most honest service. Not every home needs to look like a model home to generate great results.
While I haven’t been marketing for a while, I thought it was time to provide an update, because it appears that if you are not on social media, you are not busy or are no longer afloat. 🙂 So, yes, I’m still at it! The Home Staging Consultation, explained below, is my jam (or bread and butter… one of those breakfast foods 🤣).
A little snippet from one of my handouts:
Q: What does it mean to stage?
A: Staging is a process of making a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers. Marketing your home to the largest audience possible can be as simple as reducing clutter and reorganizing the space, or as complex as bringing in all new furniture and accessories. Staging is a series of preparations, updates, and merchandizing/showcasing — how much or how little you do is up to you — where you begin and how you do it starts with a Home Staging Consultation.
Each home is truly unique in its inherent features and staging requirements. This is the interesting part for me — along with working with and coaching the people involved. The projects that are sometimes more fun to show are the Before & Afters, and these are typically most often captured on the staging rentals side, which I still provide, and still enjoy as well! Along with my own small inventory, I work with an amazing furniture supplier with an extensive collection and delivery team to handle any job!
Realtors, thanks again for trusting in me with your clients! I look forward to continuing this journey in support of prospective home sellers in Waterloo Region!
Julie Metaxas
