Special to Realty/Builder Connection
Realtors and builders can learn how staging and home management generates quicker home sales at the 31st annual Realtor Builder Tradeshow on Thursday, October 21 at the UNF University center.
VIP Staging and Home Management owners Laura McInnes and Kimberly Osborne will share how they transform vacant houses - often seen by buyers as stagnant, boring and less appealing - into model homes that generate interest and positive movement in the sales process at no cost to the Realtor or homeowner.
“Across the country, staging with home management is a rapidly growing concept. Forbes Magazine calls staging and home management a win-win solution for Realtors and sellers,” said McInnes, who will be conducting a breakout session.
According to the National Association of Realtors, properties that are staged sell for 10-15 percent more than comparable properties that have not been staged. Further studies show that staged homes sell twice as fast as ones without staging.
“Where clients can pay over $3,000 to furnish and decorate a home, we make these services available for free by utilizing a professional home manager,” said McInnes.
The professional home managers, who pay a fee, are carefully screened and trained to keep the home in “show to sell” condition with two hours notice from a Realtor.
While in the program, VIP Staging and Home Management pays the seller’s costs for lawn, pool and monthly utilities. Additionally, they provide free property management when maintenance issues arise. Owners also enjoy reduced insurance rates since the property is now “occupied”.
While only two years old, the Ponte Vedra Beach-based firm has successfully transitioned over 50 houses into model homes in the North Florida area.
“Selling a vacant home can be tough. They take much longer to sell and sell at far lower prices than staged and occupied homes,” said Osborne.
McInnes has 20 years experience with Fortune 500 companies in marketing and project management. She also has 20 years experience in building, remodeling, staging, and selling properties.
Osborne has over 16 years experience as a Realtor and real estate investor - she’s the landlord of over 20 properties.