We will answer these questions and more so that you, the client, whether homeowner or realtor, can properly understand the process.
Phancy Design is constantly evolving, based on your feedback. Perhaps you weren't aware that we've made changes, updated our processes and streamlined them? Give it a read, we think you'll be pleased.
1. Why should I stage my home? Is it not good enough?
Home Staging is not about you or the way you decorate or live in your home. Home Staging is about all about attracting your potential buyers. We want to show your home in its best light. We want people to feel immediately at home by their first "visit" on the MLS listing (that is where it all starts), we want people to feel at ease when touring your home. We want people to want to move in immediately. We want to create a seamless transaction between you, the seller, and your potential buyers.
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| The photo on the right will appeal to a larger number of buyers. |
2. Why do you charge a consultation fee?
The answer to this question is simple yet sometimes complicated to explain. The moment your consultation is booked, we get to work. The process is not one that is cut and dry. There are many hours that go into the consultation process including, but not limited to, the property review, staging design, furniture & accessory selection and inventory evaluations prior to even starting the estimating process.
During the initial consultation we are touring the home with the homeowner in most cases. We are making recommendations immediately. We could even be moving furniture or removing artwork at this point. We are arming the homeowner for the start of the process. Unlike some other companies, Phancy Design's consultation is not timed. Whether it takes 30 minutes or 3 hours to complete the consultation, you are paying the same price. We WANT the client to feel at ease during the process. Ready to proceed? Great! In that case, 50% of your consultation fee will be refundable when you book your staging with Phancy Design.
3. A.) I have an empty condo/home to stage. So I won't need to pay a consultation fee, correct?
A) Yes, you do. The process is similar but can prove even more intense as we are now furnishing, designing and providing for a completely empty space. The good news is the consultation fee for unoccupied homes and condos is refundable upon contract award. Yes, 100% refundable when you sign a contract with Phancy Design.
3. B.) Can I just send you photos of my client's home so we can forgo the consultation and save money?
B) In the case of an occupied home, photos in lieu of a consultation is not possible. Photos will not show us room sizes, the floorplan as a whole, what materials are available or the flow of the space. Part of the consultation includes pointing out those little things that may be flagged by a home inspector, giving the client the opportunity to have these issues fixed prior to listing their home. This simply cannot be done by viewing photos.
We DO however encourage you to send us photos prior to calling us in or if you are unsure as to whether a home requires staging or not. We will be honest and forthright with you. Some homes require a lot more help than others. Unsure about whether a home needs it or not? Your idea of "turn-key" may not be what the masses deem turn-key - just ask!
4. As a realtor, should I be paying the consultation fee for my clients?
That is entirely up to you however we can tell you that when the realtor pays for the consultation fee, 8/10 clients WILL proceed with the staging process. This means your listing will stand-out amongst its competition, be photo and open house ready and in the majority of cases, sell faster, leaving you, the realtor, less expenses in the long run and the ability to take on more listings, faster.
Note: One of our favorite realtors to work with started offering our consultations to their clients with the understanding that they would reimburse the clients for the cost upon closing (and limiting their risk should the client not renew their selling contract). Genius!
5. My clients will never agree to the consultation costs.
It is up to you and/or I to fully explain the process to the client so they understand the added value involved. If YOU believe in the advantages of Home Staging then this can easily be communicated to your clients and enthusiasm is infectious!
If a client is unable to understand the initial phases of the process, they are not likely to agree to the budget necessary for the balance of the work. I fully respect the right of anyone to decline my policy, however it's in place for a reason.The main reason being that I cannot devote hours of free consultations while managing the projects of the more serious sellers.
6. Is the consultation cost for an occupied home the same as a vacant home?
No, the consultation cost for a vacant home is less expensive because it will take typically take less time onsite. And remember, the vacant home consultation is refundable upon staging contract award.
7. How can we work together, exclusively?
While I am very flattered, Phancy Design is not currently signing exclusivity contracts. We love the diversity of our clientele, the areas we service and the unique homes we are asked to transform. We CAN however offer you a discount on our services when you use Phancy Design for five (5) homes/condos, or more during the course of a year. Please contact us for more details.
8. I have a home that doesn't just need staging, it needs a complete make-over!! Can you assist?
Yes, we are fully equipped to manage and carry out all the necessary changes. Decorating, tiling, flooring, painting, rental furnishings/accessories, open house preparation, cleaning, storage, organizing/packing...it's all possible.
9. I "only" need a couch and a dining table. I "only" need help with one room, the rest is perfect. I "only" want you to "fluff" it up.
Please do not take offense but we may not be the right company for you. We have worked very hard over the years to establish ourselves and our brand. Our repeat clients have high expectations and we thoroughly enjoy going above and beyond.
As a result, staging one room or "fluffing" up a home that we did not work on would be putting our name on the house as a whole and we simply cannot do that without having carried out the work. We are proud of our interiors. We are proud of our transformations and we want our homes to reflect the ensemble of our work.
We will never insist a whole home be staged. We focus on the important rooms of the home. The rooms that SELL. We will give you tips on how to manage the rest of the home but our primary focus will be on the rooms that SELL. It's all about VISUAL VALUE and that cannot be achieved by addressing one room only. Thank you for your understanding.
10. I'm a builder who may have multiple condos/homes to furnish. Can you assist?
Absolutely. We will even provide you with a comparison between rental furnishings versus buying the furniture. If you are going to be furnishing and staging a unit then moving onto another unit once the original one is sold, you'll probably want to purchase. We will explain why and provide detailed pricing which will include our staging fees for each unit.
After analyzing the costs with you, we can select and purchase the items on your behalf, leaving you with a showcase model unit for all your potential buyers to enjoy!
11. We recently inherited an outdated home that we would like to sell as soon as possible. What do you recommend we do?
We will start with a tour of home and establish what needs to be done in the immediate future. We can assist in advising you where you are best to invest your money prior to listing it so that the home generates the maximum return. We want to accentuate both the updates made to the house as well as maximize the visual value.
We can also assist in organizing and sorting through the home as well as provide resources to you in the event you want to store some of the existing furnishings, sell or donate them.
12. What is the ROI (return on investment) when staging a home?
Home staging provides a return on investment of 196%. It is important to note that this return is a direct result of a professional showcasing the home. (source: HomeGain.com)
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We hope that we have been able to answer some of your most often asked questions and this assists in clarifying exactly what Phancy Design does and how we can help you. For further clarification or any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time at 514.605.1799.
Pressed for time? Send us an e-mail at tracy@phancydesign.ca
Your success is our success! Be well!
