Why do interior designers and home stagers need professional relationships with realtors? How can this relationship further your business and put dollars in your pocket? How do you build those relationships in the first place? Darla and Eric Reeves set out to answer these questions in this episode of Wingnut Social!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut SocialEric is one of the few that can stage a home, sell it, and remodel it. Because of his degree in interior design, he can help buyers visualize the potential of the space when he’s showing it. He can help people see how to make a home of their own. He can also advise buyers of resale value and help them determine changes to make that stay within the budget of the neighborhood. When Eric started his business, it was geared toward home staging because there was nothing in his area. As a realtor, seeing how homes were presented, he knew his market needed the service.
Why interior designers should network with realtorsEric points out that realtors are a great resource to home buyers and sellers. New home buyers might need an electrician, plumber, contractor, etc. Most of the homes in Eric’s area are resales—not new construction—so remodeling is always a consideration. Most people who own a home at some point will need to sell or buy. The homeowner will likely ask you for interior design recommendations. That’s why a symbiotic relationship between designers and realtors is imperative.
What benefit does the realtor get? When you’re a great resource for your clients, it keeps you top of mind. When they go to buy or sell, you’re the person that comes to mind. Eric’s market is a lot of second homes and vacation homes. They tend to be empty or furnished with pieces that are outdated and old. They often need a designer’s touch to help them move.
How home stagers can sell their value to realtorsEric recommends that home stagers and interior designers need to build a good relationship with realtors—and know your numbers. You need to be familiar with the inventory on the market. You need to understand if the market is hot or barely moving. It’s all about perceived value. 95% of people start their home searches online. So you need to communicate to your client the value of a well-staged home.
You also need a professional online presence (website and social media). You need a packet of information that’s exceptional that you can provide outlining the services you offer. You also need to be able to communicate the value of your work (and how it can lead to more money for the homeowner and realtor).
Eric believes there’s a place for both normal and digital staging. If someone needs a quick turnaround at a low price point, digital staging may be the way to go. But Eric points out if he’s showing a home with staged photos online but walks into an empty house, it’s a letdown. People don’t have the vision to see what could be. But if you can learn to do both, do it. You don’t want to be the Blockbuster of the interior design industry.
Listen to the whole episode for some networking tips + tricks from Darla!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
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PODCAST FAST TRACK
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Grow Your Interior Design Team The Smart Way - Episode 255
Metaverse Interior Design: The Future of the Design Industry with Tom Puukko - Episode 254
No Interior Design Degree? KD Reid Shares His Take - Episode 253
Attract Affluent Clients Doing What You LOVE with Melissa Galt - Episode 252
It’s Time to Tackle Renovation Projects with Renée Biery - Episode 251
Stacey Martin’s Formula for Rockstar Interior Design Presentations - Episode 250
Clean Design Home: Robin Wilson’s Incredible Story - Episode 249
Change Your Mindset—Raise Your Rates [Danielle Hayden] - Episode 248
Is a CoWorking Workspace Right For Your Design Firm? with Mara Hauser - Episode 247
How To Develop Your Working Knowledge As A Designer, with Andrea Hysmith - Episode 246
Carol Cox Shares Why Thought Leadership Still Matters - Episode 245
Abbi Perets: How to Write Email Marketing Campaigns that Get Read - Episode 244
Digital vs. Physical Product Libraries: Rex Rogosch Weighs In - Episode 243
REPLAY: Up-Level Your Social Media Marketing with Pinterest [Kate Ahl] - Episode 242
Kate Doster’s Attention-Grabbing Email Marketing Strategies - Episode 241
Business Coach Desi Creswell Shares How to Build Trust in Yourself - Episode 240
How Brett + Giselle Sugerman Found Phenomenal Success on Instagram - Episode 239
Pivot Your Business with a Strategic Business Coach [Like Michele Williams] - Episode 238
Kathleen Jennison’s 7-Step Cheat Sheet for New Interior Designers - Episode 237
How to Balance your Marriage + Business + Self [with LMFT Amber Hawley] - Episode 236
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