Your agent is not an idiot. Neither is your client.
I staged this house recently. It’s the third time I’ve staged for this developer and one of my partner agents is listing the house. Two people I love working with and two stakeholders in the success of the sale of this house and future business for them both and therefore for my business.
The day after I staged the house the developer and the agent met at the house to discuss the staging.
I’m sharing this because I hear from other stylists the equivalent of “the client doesn’t know what she’s talking about, she’s an idiot” or “I don’t interfere with the agent’s sale so why should he interfere with my staging” or “I’m not changing the staging, I’m the expert”
This thinking comes from a position of defensiveness (and yes it’s a difficult skill not to become defensive when someone gives feedback on your styling) With this viewpoint, stylists are basically saying that our staging is the only right way and that we have all the answers. I choose to believe differently. The developer has lived and breathed this house and selected all the finishes. He has a vision for how the house should look. Is he not allowed an input? The agent is highly successful at selling premium houses and in this suburb. Does he not get a say?
Yes, I’m the expert but it’s not all about me, it’s about selling the house and helping the developer and agent become more successful.
So, what happened? The agent rang me after the meeting. He wanted to show the house at dusk and night as it looks even more amazing then. He wanted more pools of light from lamps within the house so that’s what I added. He also added a piece over the bed in the master as he wants to take photos from a certain angle. All good points and nothing to get defensive about. This was all arranged the following day in time for the photos.
The feedback that I’ve received from this agent over the last year has helped me serve him better. I’ve found that listening instead of becoming defensive has made me a better stager for him and his clients and has strengthened our relationship and there’s nothing idiotic about that.
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