Agents, are you (unknowingly) preventing your clients from staging their homes, even though you understand the value of staging?  Please allow me to explain.  

Last week I received a cry for help from an agent.  She had just taken over a listing of a vacant property that has been sitting for over a year.  She said, "I know the home needs staging to add warmth to give it that 'homey' feel to potential buyers, but the homeowner will never go for it.  She simply will not spend the money for staging.  What can I do?"  I proposed having her send before and after photos to the seller to SHOW (not "tell") her the difference staging can make.  I further explained that through vignette staging,  spending a small amount of money can make a HUGE difference in the way the property is presented.  I gave her a price for minimal staging of key rooms, sat back and waited.  

Guess what?  The seller was all for it!  Not only did she fork over the money for vignette staging, but she ended up agreeing to a HIGHER furniture rental tab than the one I initially proposed!   

Believe it or not, I have run across this situation many times since I've been staging.  Even though the agent realizes the value of having the home professionally staged, he/she simply doesn't think the homeowner will bite.  In essence, the agent is preventing the seller from staging.  Please don't be one of those agents!